The American citizen. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1888-1909, 1889-01-18

shonld 7 think of that time nowE IWeiVe
reare onpht to heal the old wound, ana IL
Joes I've enough on my hands, enough W
rack nv brain without becoming sent4-
mental" foot
| crossed the plain rag carpet, ana sUoou 0S
another window. Past this the ROAD Tan'
| and bevond was mass OF trees anu DuSnoS
| of recent growth, the whole raplolv peco su,,
| ing crowned with white particles tnat !en
faster and faster, as the cold nor1n VIM
con gealed the drops of ram
| II was not a pleasant scene. The sullen
woods and long sweep of country road un-
| relieved by farm buildings, gave the scene
! a lonely aspect.
The Weeds were poor people. An cpl
| danic of scarlet fever had passed through
the neighborhood. Many of the hrst Iainl-
lee had lost their little ones, and Aunt
Grer had been like a ministering anger
among them When the fever fell upon the
Weeds no one ventured near save the coun-
try doctor. Mrs. Weed was an invalid ana
her husband an Indifferent nurse, clumsy
vet good-natured and willing.
When she learned of the situation Geral-
dine Ward went at once and offered her
services. She was kind, patient and capa-
BILE. and none in that country neighborhood
annreciated her tender regard for the SUI
| far,nO as did the Weeds. Johnnie and
Madge passed through the fever ana were
convalescing when the dawn OF New year
dav found Aunt Grel, as Miss Geraldine
Ward was termed, musing in her room at
the Weed farmhouse over the past.
, This was a solemn, sad New Year to the
natient old maid of BurktoWn corners
While she stood at the window, the snow
| swirled about, and sifted against the mar
row panes in a way that Indicated suuuen
, increase of cold in the atmosphere without
The brown ewes were filled with yearn-
' inp that remained unspoken even to the
|. dumb walls of the room. The face OF TINS
good angel of the Corners was not beautl-
ful not even good looking one might say al
4 first glance, but were you to mentlon her
u name to citizen within ten miles OF Burk-
a town Corners, you would be told that Aun'
Grell was the handsomest woman IN the
u world.
. Miss Ward did not linger, but hurried
l. into the next apartment, where She hearu .
l. low voice calling her name. 1t was Mrs
Il Weed, who reclined in an easy-chalr, pai'
ia and worn. vet with grateful glow In bel
=. hollow eyes.
o. "Iam sorry we can not pay you for you
at services. Miss Ward" said the Invalid
s.Madge and Johnnie are beyond danger
K. the doctor tells me, and we owe 1T all u
YOU"
Tears filed the mothers eyes at the last
Geraldine stood calmly by her side an
n, smoothed her faded hair with tender touch
AZ 81 am glad if have been of service, Mrs
iy Weed" returned she. "Of course, IL
best for me to go now, but shall AWAY
ar ar hold kind regard for you and the children
that has grown in my heart during my wv
ed weeks stay with you"
he Then Aunt Grell left the room Th
OF crunch of wheels on the frozen ground r.
in minded her that Mr.. Weed was withou
gh and would convey her to the Corners. Kis
40 ing the invalid, and going once more to tt
at children, Aunt Grell made ready to depar
Don't go, aunty, don't CO." sobbed hit
Ie; Madge, who was only four, and as sweet
AO child as the kind old maid had ever held
a., her yearning heart That appeal, and ii
re. pitiful, pleading, upturned face, broug
sh- the tears to Aunt Grells eyes.
II must go now; but will come again
me- said she.
sni; seTo-day?" queried Johnnie, boy
led eight, who chung to Aunt GrePs Skin
and looked up with bright eyes into h
ot face.
mo "Not to-day, dear, but soon."
Irs. "But mamma says it's New Years, Au
use Grell, and-and when we was so sick je
on Of Christmas, she said when New Yea
Oh 1
oy, | come we'd get some presents-me n Mant
Mamma says the doctors to pay, and
her O., can't get 'em. l thought"
'sThat / might bring you something
'ick cried Aunt Grell, quickly. "And viii, l
his | 5oor ch;1dron Pafora hadtime to-niu
look for something, and now goodbye"
nm Both children she kissed again, and tn
the hnrriad from the room and the house
Weed assisted her to a seat in the old bugl
, in and soon the two ratified away, two pairs
and