Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-01-02

bnoulo tnlnk OF that time noWi Twelve
years ought TO heal the old wound, and it
does. I've enough on my hands, enough to
rack my brain without becoming senti-
mental"
With sigh Aunt Grell came to her feet,
crossed the plain rag carpet, aud stood at
another window. Past this the road ran,
and beyond was mass Of trees and bushes
OF recent growth, the whole rapidly becom-
ing crowned with white particles that fell
faster and faster, as the cold north wind
CONCEALED the drops Of rain.
1t was not pleasant scene. The sullen
woods and long sweep OF country road, un-
relieved by farm buildings, gave the scene
lonely aspect.
The Weeds were poor people. An cpl
demic of scarlet fever had passed through
the neighborhood. Many of the first fami-
lies had lost their little ones, and Aunt
Grell had been like ministering angel
among them. When the fever fell upon the
Weeds no one ventured near save the coun-
try doctor. Mrs Weed was an invalid, and
her husband an Indifferent nurse, clumsy.
yet 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
appreciated her tender regard for the suf-
ferlng as did the Weeds. Johnnie and
Madge passed through the fever and were
convalescing when the dawn of New Years
day found Aunt GFell, 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
patient 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 a sudden
increase OF cold in the atmosphere without
The brown eyes were filed with yearn-
ing that remained unspoken even to the
dumb walls of the room. The face Of this
good angel of the Corners was not beauti-
full, not even good looking one might say at
first glance, but were you to mention her
name TO citizen within ten miles of Burk-
town Corners, you would be told that Aunt
Grell was the handsomest woman in the
world.
Miss Ward did not linger, but hurried
into the next apartment, where she heard
low voice calling her name. 1t was Mrs
Weed, who reclined in an easy-chair, pale
and worn, yet with grateful glow in her
hollow eyes.
" am sorry we can not pay you for your
services, Miss Ward" said the invalid
"Madge and Johnnie are beyond danger,
the doctor tells me, and we owe it all to
you"
Tears filed the mothers eyes at the last.
Geraldine stood calmly by her side and
smoothed her faded hair with tender touch.
81 am glad If l have been of service, Mrs
Weed" returned she. "Of course, it is
best for me to go now, but shall always
hold kind regard for you and the children,
that has grown in my heart during my two
weeks stay with you"
Then Aunt Grell left the room. The
crunch Of wheels on the frozen ground re-
minded her that Mr.. Weed was without,
and would convey her to the Corners. Kiss
ing the invalid, and going once more to the
children, Aunt Grell made ready to depart
A'Don't go, aunty, don't CO." sobbed little
Madge, who was only four, and as sweet a
child as the kind old maid had ever held to
her yearning heart That appeal, and the
pitiful, pleading, upturned face, brought
the tears to Aunt Grell's eyes.
~ must go now; but will come again."
said she.
''To-day" queried Johnnie, a boy of
eight, who chung to Aunt Grelrs skirts
and looked up with bright eyes into her
face.
''Not to-day, dear, but soon"
"But mamma says it's New Years, Aunt
JGrell, and-and when we was so sick Jest
Christmas, she said when New Years
come we'd get some presents-me m Madge.
Mamma says the DOCTORS to pay, and we
can't get 'em. thought"
"That I might bring you something's
cried Aunt Grell, quickly. "And Will, my
dear children. Before bedtime tonight
look for something, and now goodbye"
Both children she kissed again, and then
hurried from the room and the house. Mr..
Weed assisted her 10 a seat in the old buggy,
and soon the two ratified AWAY two pairs of