Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-24


niece was very hopeful and not patient.
Emily worked on and said nothing of
either hope or fear.
''Uncle Cliffe,'' said Alice, one day in
May, ''do give yourself rest; you look
so worn and tired. I know it goes against
your conscience to take holiday, so you
shall make it business. Go up to town
and see what those tiresome publishers
have to say to you"
IF 1 thought it would do any good"
he said slowly. These things take time,
my dear Alice, and if there was any news
I should hear it by the post
''Aunt Emily, do you try and persuade
him; he will listen to YOU" cried the
niece. "Just three-quarters of an hours
railway journey, and he will be in
town, and it will do him all the good in
the world
Emily quietly looked from her brother
to Alice.
'It would be no harm done, Clifford"
she said in her quiet, reflective way.
''Messrs. Stone & Hill are very prompt
and little inquiry might be WE'LL
"Then if both you and Alice are against
me, to town [ must CO." said Clifford,
gayly. "Now I think of it, 1 am very
weary of pen, ink and paper. I have
wondered lately if my brains were wear
ing out"
When he was fairly off the elder lady
betook her self to the back parlor, which
was used as a writing room; the younger
one bestirred herself in directing the
maid-of- all-work and in the daily house
hold duties which fell to the share of a
queen regent over very small kingdom.
For some cause that they could not have
explained, Emily and Alice were out of
spirits all day. Perhaps the sister miss
ed the quiet figure from the table oppo-
site her own; felt that she had no one to
appeal to as censor or encourager in that
laborious work of German translation,
who had taken the place of one but late
ly accomplished. Perhaps the niece
missed the smile and kindly talk which
was always forthcoming at meal time,
however tired or busy Clifford Graham
might be.
At any rate, cloud was over the small
household, and if the absentee had not
appeared punctually OF o'clock they
would have promptly decided that some
thing terrible was the matter with Mr..
Graham.
"Is it good news?" was Alice's
exclamation as she ran to meet
him in the doorway; but
the expression of his face was so grave
that she fastened to add, ooh, no! see.
But never mind dear Uncle CIiffe; for
what does anything matter while we are
all together?"
"What, indeed!" answered Clifford,
drawing her near and kissing her fair,
broad brow. "However, this time you
Jump at conclusions too hastily, my
nil 4oI
have made success at last"
She executed pas suel on the door
mat but checked it to cry:
"And you have brought home heap of
money, uncle?"
out; less, indeed, because of my railroad
fare" he answered, smiling.
"Then our ship has not come home,"
cried Alice in despair.
They have joined Emily in the parlor
by this time, and quick glance followed
between her and Clifford.
my dear niece" he said gently, chow
are you going to bear all the ups and
downs of life if you have no waiting pow
er? Our ship is not home, but suppose
we say she is telegraphed- that please
you?'
EOh, yes!'' and Alice frightened. II
only hoped we could begin at once to do
all the things which we have planned"
The little room was the scene of
good deal of happiness that evening; no
one would have guessed who entered
there that to the head of the household it
was one of torture. As soon as Alice had
departed to rest he drew his chair near
er to his sisters and laid his hand on hers
with rarely exhibited tenderness.
q IF anything could make me more
thankful that I have lived to succeed,
Emily" and Clifford's voice was tremu-
lous, cit is 4 knowledge which has reach
ed me for the first time to-day. I have
not felt myself lately, and so I took the
opportunity of hearing what one of the
best London physicians thought of me-
"And he thought badly?" said Miss
Graham, with quick apprehension. II
know it, [ have felt all day that some
thing dreadful was coming"
smile played around his mouth; long
years after his sister seemed to see it
when she thought of him.
''It is dreadful news" he said. II am
startled now and sad for you and that
that child But after the first surprise
there will be nothing to grieve over, be-
cause l know that my place on the battle
field of life will soon be vacant
''Do you mean that you are going to
die?" Emily spoke hoarsely, and grasped
the thin hand held out to her.
by and by, suppose. Even clever
doctors cannot tell the day or the year.
All [ know is that [ have the malady of
which my mother died, and any day the
end may come"
There was dreadful silence now in the
room which, while before, had been fill
ed with Alice's gay talk.
''It is too awful; I cannot believe tip
said Emily, at last, in a sobbing, choaking
voice. ''What am I to do, Clifford?"
He told her many of his wishes before
they babe each other good night with fast
falling tears; told her of the sum he ex-
pected in few short weeks, and of a
further sum which would follow later.
''If I had lived longer 1 might have
made you prosperous my dear, good sis
ter" he said. '.As it rs, you will, for a
time, be free from care. And meanwhile
till I leave you-let Us be as happy as
we cam for Alice's sake"
Emily Graham, was brave and a pa
tient woman, and despite an aching heart
she concealed her care beneath quiet