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

tI'piDol Clodh icIl itotu tiV' Suouiu-
ers, her shabby dress was most unlike
Aunt Julia's habitual neatness. But,
the first shock of surprise over, Elsie
had no words too loving to welcome
her aunt, while soft tender kisses fell
fast upon the pale face.
"She Is very tired, Elsie," Walter
whispered, seeing how vainly the white
lips tried to frame words. "Get her to
rest, dear, as soon as you can"
So Elsie, tearfully loving, made her
aunt lie upon the lounge, and brought
her the most tempting of tea-trays,
stopping the broken words Of thanks
BY kisses and caresses. Walter, too,
by hundred delicate attentions and
few spoken words made the guest feel
that she was most cordially and gladly
welcomed.
In her own room Aunt Julia told
Elsie something of the horrors that
had aged her more in one fortnight
than In any previous two years of her
life. She had slept upon the ground in
a drenching rain for two nights, then
in a tent with no change of clothing,
and the memory of the fire terrors to
haunt her. She had begged the paper
and the stamp to write to Elsie. Then
she told of Walters tender care Of her
in the long journey. when she, racked
by pain, often could not speak for
hours. how like a son he had cared for
her comfort. 1t was sad story, and
Elsie's tears fell fast.
"But now" she said, "you are at
home. have put underclothes and
loose wrappers in here. Auntie, until
we can have some dresses fitted. Let
me undress you now"
Gently aud tenderly the shabby
clothes were removed, the weary feet
bathed, the gray. .streaked hair smooth
ed, and snowy linen put on for the
night. Then, utterly tired, Aunt Ju-
liza sank into the bed, whispering
"Think, Elsie, I have not been in q
bed for twelve nights I"
But alas, she was not soon to leave
it. The haven Of rest once gained,
Aunt Julia lay for many long weeks
dangerously i'll with rheumatic fever
brought on by exposure, while the tor
tured brain, in widest delirium, raved
of scenes that chilled Elsie with hor- :
ror.
All through these weary weeks Elsie
was nurse, while Walter supplied every
delicacy that could be found to tempt
the invalid, patiently endured the dis.
comforts of a house haunted by sick
ness, and poved himself, Jennie declar-
ed, "the nearest to an angel Of any
man ever she seed"
Winter was nearly over before Aunt
Julia was able to leave her bed, Grip
pied for life. The rheumatism had so
twisted the joints OF her hands, legs
and feet, that they were useless and
most of tha time intensely painful.
She fretted over the prospect OF being a
burden upon Walter and Elsie. with all
the despair Of a proud woman who had
always maintained her own independ-
euce, and tearfully begged to be sent to
some charitable asylum, where she
would be only public expense. Elsie
told Walter of this wish, and he went
to Aunt Julia's room.
Taking the crippled, helpless hands
In his own, holding them very tenderly,
he said:
"Aunt Julia. Elsie has told me how
hard these little hands worked for her
for seventeen long years. 1 love Elsie
so dearly that to grieve her is my great.
est sorrow. Do you think I could bear
to see her panied il her second mother
was sick and alone, nursed by hired
hands while we are able and willing to
give her love and care ? Do not speak
again Of leaving us. I have not seen
Elsie's face so sad as it is tonight
since you came to u.s."
"But, Walter, think. I may live for
years."
81 sincerely hope you will"
'And can never have any use OF
my hands aud feet more than I have
now. can scarcely feed myself OF
hobble across the room.
1.-THE more reason you should have
loving care. Why, ,"and Walter laugh.
ed while his honest brown eyes proved
his sincerity, ''do you think all the
love here is Elsie's |: want my share
too. auntie, for love you as well as
my wife. ask you to stay because
want you here, I have not heard El-
sic sigh over long, lonely days, since
you came"
1t took many more loving arguments
bat at last Aunt Julia yielded. 1t was
but tr nth that Walter spoke when be
said she had won his love as we'll al
Elsie's. She was very patient under
excruciating suffering, and very CRATE.