Connecticut western news., 1885-03-11
CANAAN CONN.,, WEDNESDAY, MARCH Il, 1885,


 ty of her own child.
 But by every loving device the self sacrificing girl strove to keep the feeble flame of life still burning. She let it be known in the village that she was anxious to obtain work as a dressmaker, and soon found employment. Some curios- ity was expressed at this sudden return from the "rich aunt" who had taken her away a year before, but Estelle only told the simple truth, that one aunt needed her, while the other did not.
 Work, none too we'll paid, came to the little cottage, and the household duties were shared while Mrs. West could keep about. It was in November that Estelle came to her, and before February she was unable to leave her bed. The duties then of nursing and still keeping up with her engagements for dressmaking, pressed very hardly upon Estelle, but she never faltered. Day after day the invalid was tenderly comforted, and yet the busy click of the sewing-machine was heard far into the night.
 There was kindness shown by the village people that helped in this labor of love. Some came to sit up at night, when the invalid required watching. Many 8 dainty dish, sent to tempt Mrs. Vests appetite, proved sufficient meal for both. One neighbor sent eart-load of fire-wood, one barrel of apples, and there was never wanting a kindly word of sympathy. So the dreary winter wore away, and to the surprise of all, Mrs. West lived through the bitter March weather. How tenderly she was guarded and nursed in that trying month none knew but herself; but as the warm spring days came she frightened visibly. Theoda wrote occasionally, seemingly glad that Estelle had come to take the post she had so heartlessly abandoned. In one of her letters she wrote:
 "My husband bids me tell Estelle it is as we'll, perhaps, that she did not build any strong hope upon Mrs. Vain wright's capricious adoption of her, as he will certainly inherit his uncle's money"
 Estelle made no comment upon the message, but in her heart wondered if the money could be ever put to any good use in hands so selfish as Theoda's or her husbands. It seemed bad pre- cedent for any noble action, this deser- tioh of dying parent
 Summer stole away, every day lessen ing the invalid's strength, and winter loomed up threateningly in the future. All of Mrs. Wainwright's gift was gone, and poorly paid, often interrupted sew. ing, was but slender provision for cold and sickness. Yet the wasted face, grow ing paler every day, pleaded silently for many comforts; and Estelle, spurred by the sight, wrote to her Aunt Cora. It was one of many long letters, but the first that asked for aid. Estelle wrote:
 The doctor tells me Aunt Mary can- not live many weeks longer, and she re- quires almost incessant care, having frequent distressing spells of bleeding and suffocation. find I cannot supply the comforts she needs; so I turn to you, not to beg, but to borrow. Will you lend me a hundred dollars, and I will faithfully work till it is paid, when Aunt Mary no longer needs my timeH
 There was the usual curt reply to this letter, but the loan was sent with brief intimation that the promised payment was expected.
 Early in November the end came, gently and painlessly, the dying breath spent in a blessing for the faithful nurse.
 Never once had Mrs. West suspected that her niece was forbidden to return to the luxurious home she had quilted for her sake, so she had made no dispo- sition of the little property in her power to will away-the cottage and garden around it. It seemed to Estelle, young and ignorant of business, only matter of course that she should continue tc live and work in the cottrge where she had nursed her aunt's last moments, But Theoda, who came to the funeral informed her .she would put the place into the hands of a lawyer for sale, and she must look for a boarding-place 1T the village.
 Bewildered, weary with watching sorrowing sincerely for her dead, Estell' turned from the words, issued almos insultingly, with sick faltering of hel true heart.
 "A letter, Miss Estelfe," said one o the village boys, tapping at the low window. 'I was passing the post-ofiice and brought it."
 "Come and work out your debt to mt i here. CORA WAINWRIGHT.
 It was a temporary home. at least, ant the desolate girl promptly obeyed. II the November twilight, as they hA' parted, these two met again. The stern cold woman, who had so harshly pu the choice of duties before the warm hearted girl, was waiting when she en tered timidly.
 "So you have come back, she said looking at the pale face and dropping eyes.
 "To pay my debt" was the gentl reply.
 "Pay it here r'
 And Estelle found herself infolded Ii an embrace so warm that the tear sprang to her eyes.
 "Here on my heart Y said Mrs. Wair wright, "crsving such love as you give tender, true, self-sacrifcing little Estelle I tried you sorely, child, only to find you We will not part again, Estelle, h the grave closes over another old aunt.
 And when that hour came, comforte by Estelle's love, Mrs. Wainwright will was found to leave all her propert to her "beloved niece. Estelle Mason. A LITTLE girl was asked by her mott