Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-03-02

V,..t evening went into Christie's noon
!. Well said 1. "do you think you can
ike me? l hope You can, because /
haven't any one else to love me unless you
do"
where's your papa'"
"He lie dead"
And your mamma-haven't you anyin
"No; she is dead"
"Whom did You live with. then, before
Won came here!
~ lived out in the country, where my
mother died, the place where we were
lodging"
II have got cousin, and she loves me,
1 suppose. Haven't yeu got any cousins 2"
mo; have no relations at all"
SWELL, if there isn't any one else, viii;
and you may kiss me if you want to-"
Judith's wakeful eye twinkled with ad-
nliration at her mistress, and delight at
my unparalleled success with her.
The next day commenced my duties,
which were very light. Some days Chris
tie was too i'll to have any lessons at all;
out when she was well enough, taught
her for a few hours Mr. Huntington
treated me as gently and courteously as If
had been princess, instead Of plain Eva
Norris, governess
And ElTrida Winthrop I found a very
agreeable companion. and study, she was
SO utterly unlike any other woman had
ever met.
N the late Autumn OF the year, Mr..
Euptington's business called him West,
and Elfr;da received pressing invitstion
from school friend to pass the winter
with her. And as Christie's health seemed
poor of late, Mr. Huntington preferred
that should go with her to the South, AID
pass the cold weather with friend of his,
minister, and it would be good oppor-
tunity to have company. So it was de-
cided, and the last week of November
found US in Christie, Judith,
and I.
The winter in Charleston I shall never
forget Our life was quiet and dreantul,
and separate from the confusion OF the
world. But Christie grew weaker, and
after while the fountain with the palm
trees, favorite spot with her, was too for
for the little feet. And finally, as the
Spring came, she did not leave her room.
But the change was SO gradual, 80 peace
ful, that we, who were with her all tho
time, could hardly realize It,
One evening Christie lay asleep on the
lounge bent over her and listened to
her unsteady breathing.
That night wrote to Mr. Huntington,
and as soon as his answer reached az, and
We could make needful preparations, we
were on our way homo.
Mr.. Huntington met us. As he looked
at Christie first, his face was as white a.
hers even my letter had net prepared
him for the change in her.
Christie sprang into his arms in such .
passion of laughter and tears, that it shook
her frail form, and required all the calm
ness and cheerfulness he could assume to
soothe her into quiet
We had been at home Just one week.
All day Christie had been restless, some OF
the time deIirious, with intervals of con.
seriousness. Elfrida had lain down, for
she was not well, and Mr.. Huntington and
were alone with the child. At twilight
she revived, and said to her father, in .
voice that sounded like herself:
81 am tired. When will he come,
papa?"
"Who, darling?"
"The strong man Eva told me about.
She said he would carry me in his arms"
Mr.. Huntington bent over her till his
cheek touched hers.
"Don't cry, papa. Where i Evss Eva,
come here.
rose from the sofa where had been
weeping silently, and came and knelt down
by her. She looked up lovingly into my
face, and put her little weak hand and
pressed it gently over my face.
81 love you, Eva"
Then she sank back into that state which
was neither waking nor sleeping. But soon
she looked up again, and said:
Don't cry, Eva"
As she saw the tears falling. perhaps
remembrance of the first night we met
may have come back to her-when told
her had no one to love me.
There won't be anybody then. Papa,
will you love Eva, when there isn't any
body else to love herr"
''Yes, darling"
But, feeling that her little duties were
not yet fully accomplished, she turned to
me and said:
Eva. you will love papa, won't your"
1 bent lower over her, for / felt at that
moment that my secret that had buried
might possibly be revealed in my eyes.
don't think l could have replied, had not
Mr. Huntington turned to me and said:
''Wiil you, Eva?"
What saw in his eyes made it easy for
me to say yes" 1t was spoken very
low; but he heard it, and bent and kissed
my forehead.
Then troubled look swept over Chris
ties face like shadow, and she said:
Eva said l would get home to-mor.
row."
Bat she presently looked up into her
fathers face, and said. smiling:
''Oh. papa, have got home"
And, saying this, she passed into that
desr home above, That is lasting and beau
tiful for ever, and where there il 10 look
ing for sorrow tomorrow.
SIX weeks after this night I was sitting
with Elfrida in the upper balcony; she
was wan and white, and dependent on me
now, for illness the night of Christie's
death proved the commencement of a sick
ness that had been nearly fatal. After
willie she said:
s'Eva, I want to ask you something
Suppose man loved You and you triaed
with his love set your whole win against
. noble, manly purpose, and had been OBJ
stinare and willful-what would you dor"
are thourht had Wronped him. II