Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-06-25
Investment.

"Elsie'l"
Walter Hartman's tone of sorrowful
amazement made his young wife spring
hastily to her feet. She had not heard
him come In, and was kneeling beside
great arm chair, sobbing as If her
heart would break.
"Oh, Walter |" she said, "Aunt Ju-
liza -" and fresh burst of sots in-
terrup.ed her.
Walters face cleared, 1t was not
sorrow of her own, then. that over
whelmed this pretty. blue eyed dar-
ling he had married six months before.
swell, Elsie," he said, taking her In
his arms and caressing her, "what Il.
bout Aunt Julia ? Do not sob so,
dear you will make yourself ILL.,
"The fire I" said Elsie, keeping her
sobs somewhat more under control.
"You know I was very much worried
when heard Of it, for could not tell
by the papers Whether Aunt Julia's
house was in the burnt district or
not"
For the great Chicago fire was not a
week old, and the whole country watch
ed for news.
"Well, DEAR" said Walter, kindly.
SIT is as bad as it can be. Walter.
Aunt Julia writes to me that her house
was totally destroyed, her very cloth
ing burned up. and her insurance pa
pers not entirely made out. She is ab-
solutely without anything in the world
except the clothes she had on. Actual
ly fed by charity. Oh. Walter !"
Here the sobs came again, thick and
fast, and Walter could offer no comfort
but such as was conveyed by silent Ca
resses. After a time these were so far
] effectual that Elsie could speak more
, calmly.
"Now, little one." Walter said, "tell
me why this troubles you so sorely ?
Do you loye your aunt 30 very dear.
lyp"
"She had been everything mother
could be to me since my parents died,
Walter. But while was with her we
were very poor. Ont of her own scan
ty means she fed, clothed and educated
one until took the situation OF nur-
sery governess to your aunt's children,
and married you. But just before we
we're married. an old friend Of Aunt
Julia's died in Chicago, and left her
ten thousand dollars. Wh3n she went to
claim her legacy, she saw the:house she
purchased, and liked 1t 50 much she
bought it, her legacy covering the ex
pense of the house, lot and furniture,
while her own little income would sup
port her. But, unfortunately, she was
persuaded to draw out her tiny fortune
and invest 1t in two lots adjoining her
house. Now everything is swept a.
way"
''She took care of you when you were
a child ?"
"For seventeen years, Walter, deny.
| ing herself to feed and clothe me :"
Walter did not speak again for many
minutes holding Elsie close in his
arms. At last he said. very gravely:
'If were a rich man, Elsie.I would
not stop to think in case like this,
but say at once Bring your aunt here.
But you know, little wife, my salary,
though sufficient for all our wants,
with margin for pleasure and saving
a nest-egg, is yet not large. If I invite
your aunt here, the difference Of ex.
pense must fall most heavily upon you,
because cannot give you many pleas
ures you enjoy IL I Lave one more to
support. Concerts and jewelry, little
gifts and pleasures, will be beyond our
means thea. But IL you will be hap.
pier knowing your aunt has a hsme, l
will 20 myself to Chicago and bring her
here"
"Oh, Walter, how kind, how gener-
ous you are T will never be able to
thank you.''
"Then I am to 60. All right.
will get leave of absence tomorrow.
In the meantime I will telegraph your
aunt to meet me at the depot,if she has
sent any address,"
"Tbe address is the lawyers who ar
ranged her legacy for her, and who did
not live in the burnt district. Morse &
Hunter"
A few days later, as fast as steam
would carry Walter to Chicago and
back, Elsie was waiting to welcome
, the travellers. A telegram had inform
ed her that Walter had found julia
waiting at the depot and by what trair
to expect him home. The only spare
room in the pretty little house at Har-
lem, where Walter had brought BIZ
bride, was in dainty order. Jennie, th'
servant, was cooking the choicest sup
Q per Elsie could devise, and the littl
wife herself, ,neatly:dressed, was running
: 10 the door every minute watching TO
| Tho