Connecticut western news., 1889-08-21

das do so, or came so very near it that it amounted to the same thing as far as sentiment was concerned? And as for reality I thought very little about it. Death in the abstract was what held fascination for me.
 So in this frame of mind I started for Aunt Becky's accompanied by my father who, ss he placed me in her care at the country station,-for he had to return immediately to the city-said to her in an undertone:
 "Beeky, do all you can for her. Cure her if possible; but humor her, as she seems not long for this world"
 She gave sharp glance as she seated me in the low basket phaeton and gathered up the pony's reins; and she kept up her swift glances as we rode out to the farm, varying them by occa- sional terse questions.
 ''Been sick long, Rue?"
 "For nearly year." languidly re- piled.
 :.What's the matter?" s'I don't know"
 .sHave aches and pains or cough2" "No,-that is, not much" I had forgotten that a cough was usual in cases of decline, and forthwith pro- ceeded to give little one-a very un- natural one felt it to be at the time.
 Another sharp look.
 :sThat ain't any consumption cough! We'll, how do you feel, anyway"
 60, Aunt Becky, just as if it would be perfectly heavenly to lie right down and die!'
 My far-away look as contemplated the blue sky, was intended to settle forever the question as to my condi- .tion; and it seemed to, though not in the way had expected. | "Pish!" was her contemptuous ejaculation. "Die!" Well you ain't going to just yet-not from anything you've got now"
 had no chance to reply to this un- feeling remark, as we had reached the farm.
 For several days I wandered idly
 around, swinging ill the hammock had brought with me, arrayed in cling ing white wrappers and slippers. When the weather permitted I took my maps out of doors in the most approved at titudes-a book of poems clasped in one hand, one arm thrown gracefully above my head while the other hung
 limp by my side, and one slippered foot
 peeped from beneath my skirt over
 the hammock's edge. I felt that my
 affinity might possibly hover near me
 unawares and it behooved me to keep
 my lamps always trimmed and burn
 ing: for even if I could not live, we must at least recognize each other and how could that be if I did not
 live, while lived up to my ideal? But few days after my arrival ready for my day-dreams, I missed my favorite poems: in fact novels as vel were gone.
 ssWhere are my books, Aunt Becky?' 7 asked, as she was about to drive t( the village.
 :'I've put them away. The Doctor , says you mustn't read much," she an ) swered as she drove off.
 I had not heard of that edict before put I knew some poetry. by heart ant that would do as well; so I lay think ing, my breast swelling with eniotio, as made myself the heroine of mos romantic tale passing through m. brain. My eyes were wet with tear Il and was sobbing with the excess O emotional excitement to which pitch l had worked myself when she re d turned.
 s "What are you crying about, Rue? f she brusquely exclaimed. n "Oh, nothing! only" I pause 7, undecided how to express myself. e "Only what? Homesick?" .e $ ssNo, indeed, Aunt Becky! but yo n can't understand me. It is delightful o to cry sometimes. l do love when 8 am alone to lie and think and-feel- '" that's all."
 r. "Fiddlesticks! Well, got some It thing to-day for you to take that 1T make you tee-better," was all sh IS said.
 5. That night she came to my room. It "Two of the slats are out of my bee it stead, Rue; I guess I'll have to slee d with you, she announced, tying on he
 night-cap as she spoke. n "What's these?" nt She had opened one of the burea ly drawers in an ostensible endeavor d close it properly. - "Only some soft slate pencils hay ;h with me-" answered faintly er "Well, now, child, Pm going { it take every one of them. I ain't goin i'd to have you figgerin' one bit while yo as are here," she shrewdly remarked {. ce she confscated my whole stock upo SC the spot.
 "Cloves! too. Why, Rue, your II CT must've sent these to me. Enough in last housekeeper year, and I wa ep some in my pickles tomorrow! I
 take them right out, because you dor