The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-05-26

quickly, in a naive and extremely bust
ness-ike manner, which became her as
well as the smiles. ut won't take me
so long to get Auntie in the ''Old Ladies'
Home" over in the town yonder, cause
earn more money here. I've got fifty
cents put away already. Auntie don't.
know how much it will take; either"
Very inquiringly the sweet eyes rested
| upon each face . moment, while the
smiles again died out. showing how
heavy this idea lay at the little heart.
"And when the old auntie is WELL
housed and kindly looked after at the
Home then what is to become of LIZ
beth?' questioned Aunt Janet, gravely,
in whose voice was q suspicion of huski-
ness.
me! O! goodness! 1t don't matter
about me, you know. Why, can sell
'fat-wood' and live over yonder, and visit
Auntie; and she'll have good dresses
they give 'em good dresses, wouldn't
wonder? o! no. It don't matter about
me at ALL"
'Liz'beth. having disposed of herself in
this summary manner, smiled content
edly all around.
III should give you the money that
would place Auntie in that Home at
once, and spare you all that long toll,
what would you do then?" asked Mr..
Storm, gravely.
For amoment the soft eyes rested upon
his face, then the sweet lips quivered
painfully, as she answered, between q
smile and tears:
II don't think you would do that, sir;
but, if you did, would 60 right home,
up to the big room where the chimney is
out and the roof knocked in, and I'd get
right down on my knees and I'd pray
very loud. rdask God to bless you for
ever and ever and ever. and to give it
back to you again some day."
| Not even Nettie laughed at Liz beth's
earnestness. Mrs. Storm thought her
very peculiar child, quite unselfish.
Mr.. Storm was hastily comparing her
short life with his own, to his shame and
discomfort; while Aunt Janet was de-
Gliding, if her brother failed to carry out
the idea he had advanced, she should
do it.
Mr.. Storm was quite in earnest, how
ever; and, after whispered consulta-
ton with his wife, while Aunt Janet
emptied the basket directly before the
porch steps, he drew Liz beth close be-
side him, and, with the wistful eyes
fixed steadily upon him, he gave the
promise that sent thrill after thrill
through the grateful little heart, while
the smiles chased each other so radiantly
and swiftly around the tender lips. Mr..
Storm drew the golden head to his
bosom in sudden tenderness and pity.
While Aunt Janet was filling Liz
'beth's basket, without ceremony, from
the store-room, Nettie and Mrs. Storm
were searching through Nettie's rooms
and closets for superduous clothing; and
as Nettie was found to possess an album
dance of the latter, their arms were filled
when they returned. later, and exhibited
before astonished Liz beth every article
that henceforth was to be her own.
To say that Liz beth beamed would
| not express it. She dubbed and quite
run over with glee. The mad, wild
snatches of low laughter running from
her lips at sight of each article was so
highly contagious that it soon set them
all afoat, and no one save Liz beth
could have told what the laughter was
about.
''She must take off these queer shoes,
papa, and put on this pair of mine. She
will walk so much BETTER" said Nettie,
heart and soul alive to Liz beth's COM
fort in some extraordinary way and
laughing every time that little woman
did.
They're very handy shoes, Miss
said Liz beth, wishing to do justice to
the poor shoes that had served her
double purpose so long.
Nettie remained silent, although un.
convinced, while Liz beth, very soberly
and almost reluctantly. put them aside,
substituting pair of Nettie's, that fitted
perfectly, much to the latter's delight.
Liz beth took step or two in the new
shoes, looked up shyly and sweetly. and
with it all so gratefully it seemed impos-
sible to leave off granting favors; there
fore, Mr.. Storm decided on the spot both
basket and bundle were too heavy for
Liz beth to carry, and he should 60 with
her; and then Nettie clamored to 60, also,
and, as the morning was so fine, Aunt
Janet proposed to Mrs. Storm that they,
also, should walk around to the old
house, which they did, to the superan-
nuated aunt's surprise, who, being in her
dotage, believed the Judgment Day had
surely come.
Shall we 60 on and tell of the peaceful
ending of the old Aunt's days in the
''Home'' she had coveted so many weary
years, until hope died and age had bent
almost double the poor form and bleached
silver white her hair?
Enough that, at last, the poor, feeble
PRAYERS were answered, and the great,
unselfsh hope of Liz beth's life was
gratified.
Ibid Liz beth live alone after that in
the old house and sell 'fat-wood?'"
o, no! and we can do no better now
than leave the past. skipping over to the