Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-03-02
went into Christie's room

Ike me I. uopo you CaA, UoSaAubo !
haven't any one else to love me unless you
do"
where's your papa 2"
"He is dead"
"And your mamma-haven't you anyl"
"No; she is dead"
Whom did you live with, then, before
you came heref"
81 lived out in the country, where my
mother died, the place where we were
lodging"
suppose. Haven't you got any cousins :"
mo; I have no relations at all"
"Well, if there isn't any one else, win;
ard you may kiss me if you want to-"
Juaith's wakeful eye twinkled with adj
u,iration 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 few hours. Er. Huntington
treated me as gently and courteously as If
I had been princess, instead Of plain Evs
Norris, governess.
And Elfrida Winthrop I found very
agreeable companion, and study, she was
SO utterly unlike any other woman had
ever met
IN the late Autumn Of the year. Mr..
Huntington's business called him West,
and Eifrida received pressing invitation
from a school friend 30 pass tho winter
with her. And as Christie's health seemed
poor Of late, Mr. Huntington preferred
ihat should 60 with her to the South, and
pass the cold weather with a friend Of his,
{. minister, and it would be a good oppor-
tuniJy to have company. So it was de-
cided, and the last week of November
found us in Christie, Judith,
and l.
The winter in Charleston shall never
forget. Our life was quiet and dreanful,
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 far
for the little feet. And finally, as tho
Spring came, she did not leave her room.
But the change was 80 gradual, SO peace
full, that we, who were with her all the
time, could hardly realize it.
One evening Christie lay asleep on the
lounge. l bent over her and listened to
her unsteady breathing.
That night wrote to Mr.. Huntington,
and as soon as his answer reached US, and
We could make needful preparations, we
were on our way home.
Mr.. Huntington met US. As he looked
at Christie first, his face was as white as
hers; even my letter had not 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
1, b.
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 q
voice that sounded like herself:
81 am tired When will he come,
papa" ~
"The strong man Eva told me about.
She said he would carry me in his arms"
kr. Huntington bent over her till his
cheek touched hers.
Don't cry, papa. Where 4 Evaf Eva,
come here
rose from the sofa where I had been
BY her. She looked up loving anto my
fuce, 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
bro Of he G--t Tnhr
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"
bent lower over her, for felt at that
moment that my secret that had buried.
might possibly be revealed in my eyes. I
don't think l could have replied, had not
Mr Huntington turned to me and said:
"Will you, Eva?
What saw in lis eyes made it easy for
me to say "yes" It was spoken very
low; but he heard it, and bent and kissed
Then troubled look swept over Chris
ties face like q shadow, and she said
Eva said l would get home to-mor.
row."
But she presently looked up into her
fathers face. and said, smiling:
oh, papa, have got home"
And. saying this, she passed into that
dear home above, that is lasting and beau
tiful for ever and where there is no lock-
ing for sorrow tomorrow.
Six weeks after this night 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 sick
ness that had been nearly fatal. After
willie she said:
Eve, l want to ask you something.
Suppose man loved you and you trified
with his love; set your whole will against
a noble, manly purpose, and had been OBJ
stinate and willful-what would you do?"
eff l thought had wronged him; if
were certain that he loved me still that
he were unhappy, and my love would
make him happier, would -"
s'You would what? ?"