Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-08-22


far rs sentiment was concernedP And
as for reality ] thought very little
about H. Death In the abstract was
what held fascination for me.
SO in this frame OF mind started
Tor Aunt Becky's. accompanied by my
father. who, as he placed me in her
care atthe country station-for he had
10 return Immediately to the city-said
TO her In an undertone;
Becky, do all you can Tor her.
Cure her, II possible; but humor her.
as she seems not long for this world"
She gave a sharp glance AZ 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
occasional terse questions.
"I3een sick long, RueP'
"For nearly a year." languidly
replied.
whats the matterP"
81 don't know"
Have aches and pains or coughP"
"No-thot is, not much" had for
gotten that a cough was usual In cases
OF decline. and forthwith proceeded TO
give a little one--a very unnatural one
felt IL 20 be at the time.
Another sharp look.
THAT amt any consumption coughi
Well, how do you feel, any wayP"
20. Aunt Becky, just as II 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
just the way had expected.
"Pishr' was her contemptuous ejac-
ulation. "Dlel Well, you amt going
to just yot-not from any thing you've
got now"
had no chance TO reply TO this un-
feeling remark, as we had reached the
farm.
For several days l wandered idly
around. swinging in the hammock
had brought with me, arrayed in
clinging white wrappers and slippers
When the weather permitted / took
my maps out OF doors in the most ap-
proved attitudes-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 peepod from beneath
my skirt over the hammock's edge. /
felt that my affinity might possibly
hover near me unawares and IL be-
hooved me TO keep my lamps always
trimmed and burning; for even II /
could not live, we must at least recog-
nize each other-and how could that
be II | did not live, while Ilived, up
TO my ideal?
But a few days after my arrival,
ready for my day-dreams, / missed my
favorite poems; in fact novels as well
were gone
where are my books, Aunt Becky?"
/ asked. as she was about to drive to
the village.
''Pve put them away. The doctor
says you mustn't read much" she an
/ swered as she drove on.
l had not heard OF that edict before:
but knew some poetry by heart and
that would do as well; so lay think
ing-my breast swelling with emotion
AS / made myself the heroine OF most
romantic tale passing through my
brain. My eyes were wet with tears
and was sobbing with the excess OF
emotional excitement TO which pitch /
had worked myself when she returned
"What are you crying about, Rue?'
she brusquely exclaimed.
80. nothingl only" paused un-
decided how to express myself
Only what? HOmesickP'
"No. indeed, Aunt Becky! but you
can't understand me. 1t Is delightful
20 cry sometimes. do love when
am alone TO lie and think and-feel-
that's all"
"Fiddlesticksl Well, l got some
thing to-day for you to take that'll
make you fee!-better." was all she
said.
That night she came to my room.
Two OF the Stats are out OF my bed
stead, Rue; / guess I'll hsyn TO sleep
with YOU" she announced. tying on
her nightcap as she spoke.
Whats theseP'
She had opened one OF the bureau
drawers in an ostensible endeavor to
close IL properly.
"Only some soft slate-pencils have
with me-" / answered. family.
"Well. now. child, I'm going to take
them every one. amt going to have
you fggerin' one bit while you are
here" she shrewdly remarked as she
confiscated my whole stock upon the
spot
Gloves, too Why. Rue, your ma
must've sent these TO me Enough to
last a housekeeper year, and / want
some In my pickles tomorrow I'll
take them right out, because you don I
want your clothes scented up by them
sweet clover's best Tor that"
j could not say "A word; but / won
dered how should keep up my pallOr
without those condiments TO nibble.
Then, too, how was TO enjoy my
sentimental soliloquies which often
kept me awake far into the night and
left me so interestingly wan-eyed Ia
the morning? should have TO fore
go this sorrowiul happiness. or happy
sorrowfulness, with which my roman
tic imaginings filled my solitary
hours II Aunt Becky was to share my
privacy.
But she did not seem 10 dream that
she might be intruding. She chatted
on In her cheerful, quaint strain until
found myself laughing in spite of
me. She kept It up. too, far into the
night until / dropped asleep-too at
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