The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-06-27

excruciating suffering, and very grateful
for all the loving care lavished upon her,
When the pain subsided, and she could
talk, she was charming company, well
read and full Of pleasant memories and
bright observation.
While she felt herself a burden, Wal.
ter and Elsie regarded her as blessing
Walter no longer worried at leaving
Elsie all day, while he was at his busi-
ness, and Elsie never tired of Aunt Julia,
whose experience proved very valuable
to the little housekeeper.
But month after month there was a
scarcely perceptible failing Of strength
In the sorely tried body, long past youth
full vigor. The rheumatic fever had left
heart trouble, and distressing spells of
sufocation and palpitation often threat
ened the invalid's life. Always patient,
she yet often prayed for death to end
her suffering, while Elsie prayed only
that the dear life might be spared.
She had been Walter Hartman's guest
for two years, when her weakness In
creased to an alarming extent, rapidly
and certainly, till she could not leave her
bed. 1t was while she was herself con-
scious that the end of her suffering was
approaching that she received letter
from her lawyer In Chicago informing
her that he had received an offer of
twenty thousand dollars for the lots of
land she owned in that city.
She had looked upon her own beggary
as so absolutely certain that at first she
could scarcely credit the news; but
Walter, In whose hands she placed the
business, soon proved the offer no dream
by accepting the terms and informing
Aunt Julia the money lay In the bank
In her name.
Snow, you can ride in your carriage
when you are well," Elsie said, smiling
but fearful. 81 am so glad, Auntie.
You will have something now for your
old age"
'But no old age, Elsie," was the glad
reply. 81 am glad too, darling, very
glad, but not for that"
By her own request lawyer came and
wrote her will, and then Aunt Julia, as
If the care of life was ended for her, sank
rapidly, growing every day weaker and
more dependent upon Elsie's loving,
never-falling care.
1t was In early Spring, when, one
evening, as Walter came in, Jennie met
him, her honest face all dishgured by
crying.
''Sure, sir, It's asking for you, Miss
Julia is."
SIS she worsep"
"Ah, sir, she's going fast. The doc
tor says she'll not last the night"
Going fast. Walter could see the
girls words were true when he softly
entered the room where Aunt Julia
rested, her head upon Elsie's shoulder,
her hands clasped fast in Elsie's.
81 am glad you came" she whispered,
81 think could not go without thanking
you once more and saying farewell"
"What have DONE" Walter said, his
heart swelling with emotion, ''was glad
| ly,lovingly done. do not need thanks,
Aunt Julia"
81 believe that, but am not less
grateful, because you gave from a full
heart. May God bless you and yours,
Walter. May what you have done for q
crippled, penniless woman come back to
you in your old age laden with her bless
ing. kiss me farewell, Walter"
Reverently he bent over her, pressing
a loving kiss upon the withered lips,
while tears that were no shame to his
manhood stood in his eyes. A few broken
words to Elsie, murmured prayer, and
the gentle spirit was released from the
weary, pain-racked frame. Tears of true
love fell upon the wasted face, placid in
deaths sleep. Every kind word was
cherished when the lips that had spoken
it were mute, and Aunt Julia had two
true mourners at her funeral, while many
of the friends of years gone by came to
pay the last tribute Of respect to her
memory.
1t did not surprise Elsie when she
learned that her Aunt Julia had left her
the fortune that came too late to gladden.
her own life. But she told Walter, when
the will was read to her:
81 am glad we never thought of the
land, Walter, in the years that Aunt Julia
was with us. II would have made me
hesitate often to show her all the love
in my hear, if had ever thought she
would have money to leave me-"
"She knew, darling, it was all love,
yet am glad my Elsie has some reward
for the patient, tender care that allevi-
ated the suffering of the poor invalid
who rests at last"
And Elsie, nesting close in Walters
arms, sail softly:
''If / could love you more, Walter,
than when married you, should do
SO when think of your kindness and
generosity to Aunt Julia"
"It was odd," Walter said, "that the
money that Aunt Julia invested in
Chicago should be actually doubled, for
l have seen her weep often when she
spoke of her unfortunate investment of
her friends legacy.
Tim"