Smyrna times., 1885-06-17

LuS udN6u VI IGSU OuCC Sl4uSNAi AullO
Julia lay for many long weeks danger
ously i'll with rheumatic fever brought
On by exposure. while the tortured brain,
in widest delirium, raved of scenes that
chilled Elsie with horror.
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 sickness,
and proved himself, Jennie declared,
the nearest to an angel OF any man
ever she seed.
Winter was nearly over before Aunt
Julia was able to leave her bed, crippled
for life. The rheumatism had so twisted
the Joints of her hands, legs and feet,
that they were useless and most Of the
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 main-
tanned her own independence, and tear
fully 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 l could bear
tosee her panied if 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. l have not seen Elsies
face so sad rs it is tonight since you
came 20 us.
but, Walter, think. 1 may live fol
years.
Il sincerely hope you will.
"And 1 can never have any use of my
hands and feet more than have now.
can scarcely feed myself or hObble across
the room.
1.-The more reason you should nav,
loving care. Why" and Walter laughed
while his honest brown eyes proved hi
sincerity, "do yOu think all the low
here is Elsie's2 want my share toe
auntie, for 1 love you as well as my wife
I ask you to stay because l want yo
here. I have not heard Elsie sigh Ove
long, lonely days, since you came.
1t took many more loving arguments
but at last Aunt Julia yielded. 1t WA
but truth that Walter spoke when h
said she had won has love as well q
Elsie's She was very patient undo
excruciating suffering, and very grateir
for all the loving care lavished upon he
When the pain subsidized, and she coul
talk, she was charming company, we
read and full of pleasant memories an
bright observation.
: While she felt herself a burden, Wa
ter and Elsie regarded her as n hlrssil
v Walter no longer worried at leaVlll
Elsie alone all day, while he was at hi
business, and Elsie never tired of Au1
/ Julia, whose experience proved very va
t uable to the little hOusekeeper.
It But month after month there was
Ii scarcely perceptible failing of strengt
= in the sorely tried body, long past youtI
:, full vigor. The rheumatic fever had le
It heart trouble, and distressing spells
Il suffOcation and palpitatiOn often threa
4 ened the invalids life Always patien
y she yet often prayed for death to ell
is her suffering, while Elsie prayed on
s, that the dear life might be spared.
II She had been Walter Hartman's guC
lI for two years, when her weakness
go creased to an alarming extent, rapid
and certainly, till she could not leave h
II bed. 1t was while she was herself CO
10 scious that the end of her suffering W
-, approaching that she received a lett
Ill from her lawyer in Chicago infOrmi
III her that he had received IN offer
h1 twenty thousand dollars fOr the lots
hV land she owned in that city.
She had looked upon her own begga
no as SO absolutely certain that Mt first S
no could scarcely credit the news
rSe Walter, in whose hands she placed
business, soon proved the offer no drei
'in by accepting the terms and infOrmi
Chs Aunt Julia the money lay in the bank
her name.
"a :'Now, you can ride in your carris
"a when you are we'll, Elsie said, smil
~ ~ but fearful, II am so glad, Aunt
- ~ You will have something now for y,
old age"
- "But no old age, Elsie, was the g
~ ~ reply. "I am glad too, darling, V
-Is M glad, but not for that"
H By her own request lawyer came
W wrote her will, and then Aunt Julia
81 if the care of life was ended for her, 81
leu rapidly, growing every day weaker
OK, more dependent upon Elsie's lOvi
Neu neverfailing care.
les' It was in early Spring, when,
s evening, as Walter came in, Jennie
'lth him, her honest face all disfgured
'i'i, crying.
'ooi "Sure, sir, it's asking for you,
ODy Julia is.
lAD' els she worse ?"
oi "Ah, sir, she's going fast. The
too tor says she'll not last the night.
soit Going fast. Walter could see
ace girls words were true when he 81
liter entered the room where Aunt j
hite rested, her head upon Els;es shOul
r to her hands clasped fast in Elsie's.
lam glad you came, she whispe
her "I think could not go without thu
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