The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1885-12-04

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
increased to an alarming extent, rap
idly and certainly, till she could not
leave her bed. 1t was while she was
herself conscious that the end of her
suffering was approaching that she
received a 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 beg
gary as so absolutely certain that at
first she could scarcely credit thenews;
but Walter, in whose hands she plac-
ed 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.
"Now, you can ride in your carriage
when you are WE'LL" Elsie said, smil-
ing but fearful. II am so glad auntie.
You will have something now foryour
old age"
"But no old age, Elsie" was the
glad reply. II Inn glad, too, darling,
very glad, but not for that"
By her own request a lawyer came
and wrote her will, and then Aunt
Julia, as if the cares of life was ended
for her, sank rapidly, growing every
day weaker and more dependent upon
Elsie's loving, never-failing care.
1t was in early spring, when, one
evening, as Walter camein, Jennie met
him, her honest face all disfigured by
crying.
Sure, sir, it's asking for you, Miss
Julia is"
lis she worse?"
"Ah, sir, she's going fast. The
doctor 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 whisper,
ed. 81 think could not go without
thanking you once 0 and saying
farewell"
"What l have DONE" Walter said,
his heart swelling with emotion, "was
gladly, lovingly done. | do not need
thanks, Aunt julia"
~ believe that, but I am not less
grateful, because you gave from a full
heart. May God bless you and yours.
May what you have done for a poor
penniless woman come back to you
in your old age laden with her bless
ing. Kiss me farewell, Walter"
Reverently he bent over her, press
ing 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, q muir
INJURED 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 cherish
ed when the lips that had spoken it
were mute, and Aunt Julia had two
tyle mourners at her funeral, while
many of the friends of years gone by
came to pay the last tribute ofrespect
to her memory.
1t did not surprise Elsie when she
learned that her Aunt Julia had left
her the fortune that had come 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. 1t would have
made me hesitate often to show her
all the love in my heart, if / had ever
thought she would have money to
leave me-"
'sShe knew, darling, it was all love,
yet | am glad my Elsie has some re-
ward for the patient, tender care that
alleviated the suffering of the poor in
valid who rests at last"
And Elsie, Nesting close in Walters
arms, said softly.
eff | could love you more, Walter,
thai / did when | married you, !
should do so when / think of your
kindness and generosity to Aunt
Julia"
cit was odd,n Walter said, 'sthat
the money that Aunt Julia invested
in Chicago should beactually doubled,
for / have seen her weep often when
she spoke of her unfortunate invest
ment' of her friends legacy.
ZKMM