The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-08-28

order TO make them more lustroua
As consequence my countenance at
this time was quite striking. So it
leased me much to SEQ that 1 had at
tracted attention to my decline.
The next few days were occupied in
preparations for my departure to Aunt
Becky's. The suddenly awakened
family solicitude at my condition was
evinced by indulgence in oil the
luxuries-fruits and other delicacies-
which could be procured, while young
or children were repeatedly told to
wait on sister Rue while she is here;"
and the ambiguity Of this command
was as gratifying as the constant
attendance which all danced upon me
for those few days
"She can hardly last through an
other winter" one caller said to an
other in a guarded whisper, thinking
me asleep in the hammock outside the
window.
She need not have guarded the r,-
mark at all. for it would not have
troubled me in the least I was lying
meditating upon the affinity OF souls
and my lack in finding one in this
world to respond to my own; and such
a thing as not lasting through another
winter was perfectly in accord with
Ey pleasant thoughts just then.
Not that was so miserable that ]
wanted to die. but that 1t was part Of
my programme to die young. Did NOT
all my favorite Arabellas and Ethel
midas do so. or came so very near II
that it amounted to the same thing as
far as sentiment was concernedp 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 l started
for Aunt Becky's, accompanied by my
father, who, as he placed me in hel
care at the country station-for he had
to return Immediately to the city-said
to'her in an undertone:
Becky, do all you can for her.
Cure her, if possible; but humor her
as she seems not long for this world.
She gave q sharp glance as shs
seated me in the low basket phaetor
and gathered up the pony's reins; ant
she kept up her swift glances as w
rode out to the farm, varying them. b.
occasional terse questions. W.
been sick long, Ruem -4'
"For nearly. q year." I languidl!
replied. toa
whats the matterP"
II don't know" (,
"Have aches cad pains or coughr'
Il "No-that is, not wpchs' had for
gotten that a cough was usual in case
Of decline. and forthwith proceeded t.
give little oney-a very unnatural on
I felt it to be at the5time@ y
Another sharp look.
''That amt any consumption cough
Well, how do you feel, any wayp"
20, Aunt Becky, just as II it woul'
be perfectly heavenly to lie RICH
down and die"
My PARKWAY look as contemplated
the blue sky was intended to settl
! forever the question as to my condi
ton; and it seemed to, though not il
just the way had expected.
"Pish!" was her contemptuous ejac
ulation. "Die! Well, you amt goin
to just yet-not from any thing you'v
got now" ail ,g,iog4 III
: had no chance to reply to this un
I feeling remark. as we had reached tn
8 farm.
. For several days I wandetHd .Ms
r around, swinging in the hammock
had brought with me, arrayed i
. clinging white wrappers and slippers
!. When the weather permitted too
t my maps out Of doors in the most ap
b proved attitudes-a book Of poem
d clasped in one hand, one arm throw
y gracefully above my held while tn
: other hung limp by my side. and on
slippered foot ..peeped from beneat
|. my skirt over the hammock's edge.
? felt that my affinity might possibl
Q hover near me unawares and it b
g hooved me to keep my lamps alway
d trimmed and burning; for even If
IF could not live, we must at least recof
y nize each other-and how could ths
r be II I did not live, while I lived, u
# to my idealp A'2'
But few days after my ar-iva
10 ready for my day-dreams, / missed m
IL favorite poems; in fact novels as we
10 were gone TTG
"a Where are my books. Aunt Becky
y l asked, as she was about to drive
IT the village @
ID 1--we put them away. The doct'
u says you mustn't read much," she q
" swered as she drove OF. "
= Ihad not heard OF that edict befor
= but knew some poetry by heart Al
% that would do as we'll; so l lay thin
ing-my breast swelling with emotit
y rs I made myself the heroine of mo
g romantic tale passing through n
- brain. My eyes were wet with tea
~ and was sobbing with the excess
= emotional excitement 10 which pitsh
Is Is had worked myself when she returne
"What are you crying about Rue
she brusquely exclaimed.
h. 20. nothing! only" / paused u
I decided how to express myself
3. Only whatp HomesickP"
ssNo ;r1aod Aunt Rookvt hu, ~,