The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-05-09
AINEE'S GIFT.

LCa lADls GAAAHAg w 90 NBS"
sick sister Aimee.
She had looked forward to the day
with such evident pleasure; had pleased
herself with the thought that her boat
ing costume would DO Just the suit to
wear. and that it was most becoming to
her; and not the least of her enjoyment
would be the fact that Gerald had invi-
ted her instead Of May Blanchard or
Alice Albright, her former schoolmates
who were madly in love with the bright
and genial clerk, who was home from
the big city" on his summer vacation.
But poor little Aimee, who had been
an invalid from birth almost, was Lulus
idol. and her increased illness had so
worn upon her patient mother, that
Lulu. as much as she had anticipated
from the days enjoyment, had now
scarcely a thought beyond the meek
little sufferer, whose contracted fea-
lures told but too plainly of the pain
she endured.
And so Lulu put from her mind the
thought of the possible pleasant eXcur-
sion. simply sending Gerald q brief note
explaining why, and hoping he would
have an enjoyable time. Then she bus
led herself to soothe Aimee, taking her
i'm her arms and rocking her so tenderly,
In the great, easy rocker, singing quaint
little lullaby songs till the weary look
vanished from the tiny face, and the
breathing became more regular. But
Lulu still held her little charge, feeling
that after all it was better to do as she
was doing, than to be enjoying herself
otherwise while her weary mother was
Iaboring at home. The thought Of Ger
aid, and May, and Alice, would intrued
at times, and the mild beauty Of the
summer day occasionally served to
arouse just a little sigh of regret, which
she tried hard to quell, and at last sue
ceeded, thanks &c her good mothers
teaching, who had always striven to
impress upon her children that self
should be but of secondary Importance
where duty was concerned.
As Lulu still sat there, singing softly,
q gentle rap was heard at the door,
which her mother, who had just entered
the room. FASTENED to open, and who
should it be but Gerald with a bunch of
great white, fragrant water-lilies, fresh
from their home in the lakes clear
depths. And Aimee, who had awakened
from her refreshing sleep, breathed in
their sweet perfume with such evident
thankfulness, that all the little circle
was benefited. Aimee, who knew how
much pleasure her sister had anticipated
from the excursion, asked Gerald in her
innocent way why he did not go alone,
but he kissed her pale little lips, and
told her it was because he preferred to
spend the afternoon with her, adding,
that word had just been received that
the steamer had run aground on M of
the numerous lake islands, and could
not possibly be home before the next
morning. |
So after all Lulu passed a pleasant
afternoon, and Aimiee, with the yaria-
blencss Of her fattering disease, de
elared that she was almost well.
The following days brought strength |
to the wasted form, and an easy carriage
ride with her @dear sister Lulu, and !
friend Gerald. occasionally through the
summer, helped her more than medicine.
But the tiny form which they lifted in
ard n.aA 81 khe nhan4nn wag not destined !
long 10 he with theEa, and with the APP
preaching winter weather 3 change was
noon noticeable. The widowed mother,
Mrs. Cameron, felt that her darling was
going home. and but for Lulu would
have sunk under the added grief. As
Christmas drew near, Aimee, when able
tO talk, would inquire IL Gerald had
c0lne vet. il being Ais custom 10 spend
the holidays IN his natave town. When
Christmas Eve was closing around the
little family, Aimee again asksd her
mother III Gerald had come just
- q brisk step was heard on the
cracking snow At the door, as il in
answer to her inquiry. When
the salutations were over. and the pretty
Christmas gifts were shown, Aimeess
were found to be lust what she want
ed al beautiful white dove from Lulu
30 tame that it would rest upon her
finger; a little dainty dressing gown
from her mother, and a lovely music
box, which played several of her favor
tie tunes, from Gerald, made her the
happiest enc of the family.
When Gerald asked her what she was
gong 10 give him, she, in the fullness
other heart, could only offer her most
priced treasure, sister Lulu, = but with
the proviso that be would not take her
until she ss@s win neT. And
though each, by some mysterious means,
had long since learned loves sweet les
son they felt after that STRANGELY sad
betrothal by Aimee's dying bed, as ii
they belonged more truly TO each other