Smyrna times., 1885-06-17
Investment.

investment,
"Elsie!'
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 a
great armchair, sobbing rs if her heart
would break.
"Oh, Walter !" she said, "Aunt Julia
-" and a fresh burst of sobs inter-
rupted her.
Walters face cleared. 1t was not sOr-
row of her own, then, that overwhelmed
this pretty, blue-eyed darling he had
married six months before.
Well Elsie" he said, taking her in
his arms and cAressing her, what about
Aunt Julia? Do not sob so, dear you
will make yourself ILL
1.-The fre!" said Elsie, keeping her
sobs somewhat more under control
"You know was very much worried
when heard of it, for couldnot 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 watched
for news.
"Well, dear, D." said Walter, kindly.
cit is as bad us it can be, Walter.
Aunt Julia writes to me that her house
was totally destroyed, her very clothing
burned up, and her insurance papers
not entirely made out She is absolutely
without anything in the world except
the clothes she had on. Actually 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
caresses. After time these We're 50 fal
effectual that Elsie could speak more
calmly.
"Now, little one, Walter said, "tel
me why this troubles you so sOrely? DC
you love your aunt so very dearly ?"
"She had been everything mothe
could be to me since my parents died
Walter But while 1 was with her W
were very poor. Out of her own scant
means she fed, clothed and educated M
, until 1 took the situation of nurser
governess to your Aunt's children, an
married you. But just before we wer
married, an old friend of Aunt Julia
died in Chicago, and left her ten thou
sand dollars When she went to clair
her legacy, she saw the house she pun
chased, and liked it SO much she bOugl
it, her legacy covering the expense
house, lot and furniture, while her OW
little income would support her. Blu
unfortunately, she was persuaded
draw out her tiny fortune and invest
in two lots adjoining her house. No
. everything is swept away"
'She took care of you when you we
clild?"
For seventeen years, Walter, den
ing herself to feed and clothe me-"
Walter did not speak again for maj
minutes, holding Elsie close in his arm
At last he said, very graveiy:
eff were rich man. Elsie, l wOu
not stop to think i'll a case like this, b
say at once Bring your aunt here b
you know, little wife, my salary, thOui
sufficient for all our wants, with mi
u gin for pleasure and saving nest-ee
la' is vet not large. If invite your au
here, the difference of expense must +
)S most heavily upon you, because L CT
not give you many pleasures you en-!
if 1 have one more to support Conce
i. and iewelry, little gifts and pleasur
- will be beyond our means then. Blu
you will be happier knowing your al
oh has home, will go myself to Chic
'" and bring her here.
"Oh, Walter, how kind, how gen
cry GUS YOU are! will never be able
thank you.
ent en- "Then am to go. All right l '
Ian get a leave of absence tomorrow.
for the meantime 7 will telegraph your a
Ids' to meet me at the depot, if she has S
,4 any address.
resh 1.-The address is the lawyers :
ggeeS} arranged her legacy for her, and
did not live in the burnt district, Nj
&C & Hunter"
A few DAYS later, rs fast rs ST
would carry Walter to Chicago and b
E. elsie was waiting TO welcome tie Il
. elers. A telegram had informed
n that Walter had found Julia waitin
q the depot and by what train to exl
him home. The only spare room in
s pretty little house at Harlem, wi
- Walter had brought his bride, was
door dainty order. Jennie, the serv
was cooking the choicest supper /
Del. could devise, and the little wife her
. neatly dressed, was running to the {
every minute Watching for the carri
It came at last, and Walter har
/, IA out a lady. Poor Elsie felt fairly
V's' as the guest, tottered rather than wa
into the room. She was white as us
f6el her hair, Elsie remembered black
. coal not one year before. streaked
stage. pray, and her eyes sunken as II
costly ,s long illness. When the water-I
money cloak fell from her shoulders, her shi
/ brosd Ad dress was most unlike Aunt Julia's
abso- itual neatness. But, the first shot
S"''- surprise over, Elsie had no wordI
. loving to welcome her aunt. while
by DIT; tender kisses fell fast upon the pale
,essful OON- . -,
once. "She is very tired, Elsie, W
IdVies dT whispered, seeing how vainly the
except gsIPt lips tried to frame words. "Get b
- rest. dear, as soon as you car"
lures, So Elsie, tearfully LOVING nlau'