The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-09-08

she would be only Il public expense.
Elsie told Walter Of this wish, and he
went to Aunt julius room.
Taking the cripple's helpless hands
in his own, holding them very ten
derby, he said;
Aunt Julia, Elsie has told me how
hard these little hands worked for her
for II long years. | love Elsie so dearly
that to grcvc her is my greatest SCR.
row. Do you think | could bear TO see
her panied If her second mother was
sick and alone, nurscd by hired hands
while we are able and willing TO give
her love and carer DO not speak again
of leaving us | have not seen Elsic's
fGcc'so sad as it is tonight since you
came 10 us.
But, Walter, think. ! may live
for years. "
81 sincerely hope you will"
"And | can never have any use of
my hands and feet more than | have
now. ! can scarcely feed myself or
hobblc across the room.
"Ihc 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 Elsc's? | want my share,
too, Auntie, for love you rs well rs
my wife. ask you to stay because /
want you here. have not heard Ell
sic sigh over long, lonely days since
you came"
1t took muny more loving arguments;
but at last Aunt Julia yielded 1t was
but truth that Walter spoke when he
said she had won his love as well ~
Elsie's. She was very patient under
eXcruciating suffering, and very crate.
full for all the loving care lavishcd upon
her. When the pain subsidized and she
could talk, she was charming company,
well read and full of pleasant memories
and bright observation.
While she felt herself burden,
Walter and Elsie regarded her as a
blessing. Walter no longer worried at
leaving Elsie alone all day, while he
was at his business, and Elsie never
tired of Aunt Julia, whose experience
proved very valuable to the little house
keeper.
But month after month there was
a scarcely perceptible failing of strength
in the sorcly tried body, long past
youthful yigor The rheumatic fever
had left heart trouble, and distress
ing spells of suirocation and palpita-
ton often threatened 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 Ii was while she was herself
conscious that the end of her suffer
ings was approaching that she received
a letter from her lawyer in Chicago in
forming her that he had received an
offer of $50, 600 for the lots of land she
owned in that city.
She had looked upon her own beg.
gary 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 nc
dream by accepting the terms and in
forming Aunt Julia the money lay in
the bank in her name.
Now you can ride in your carriage
when you are we'll" Elsie said, smil
ing, but tcarfully. 81 am 50 glaC
Auntie. You will have something nov
for your old age"
But no old age, Elsie was tn,
glad reply, 81 am glad, too, darling
very glad, but not for that"
BY her own request n lawyer cam
and made her will, and then Aun
Julia, as if the care Of life was endet
for her, sank rapidly, growing ever!
day weaker and more dependent upol
Elsic's loving, never failing care.
1t was early in spring, when, on
evening, as Walter came in, Jenni
met him with her honest face all dis
figured by crying.
Sure, sir, it's asking for you Mis-
Julia is. -
as she wOrscE'
"Ah, sir, she's going fast. TIL
doctor says she'll not last the night"
Going fast. Walter could see tina
the girls words were true as he softl
entered the room where Aunt JUL
rested, her head upon Elsie's shoulder
her hands claspcd fast in Elsie's.
Il am glad you came" she whis
percd. 81 think | could not z
without thanking you again and say
ing farewell. "
"What | have DONE Walter saiC
his heart swelling with emotion, EVA
gladly, lovingly done. / do not nee
thanks, Aunt Julia.
II believe that, but | am not les
grateful because you gave from Il fu
heart. May God bless you and your
Walter. May what you have done fc
a crippled, pcnniless woman come bac
to you in your old age laden with hC
blessings Kiss me farewell, Walter
Reverently he bent over her, pressin
loving kiss upon the withcred lip
while tears that were no shame TO Ii
, manhood stood in his eyes. A fe
broken words to Elsie, murmurc
prayer, and the gentle spirit was +
leased from the weary, painrackC
frame. Tears of true love fell upon I'll
wasted face, placid in deaths sleel
| Evpry kind word WAS cherished who