Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-09-05

''She can hardly last through an
other winter one caller said to an
o. her 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 ] was lying
meditating upon the affinity OF souls
and my lack in finding one in this
world to respond to my own; and such
thing as not lasting through another
winter was perfectly in accord with
Ey pleasant thoughts just then.
Not that was so miserable that l
wanted to die. but that it was part OF
my programme to die young. Did not
all my favoriie Arabellas and Ethel
midas 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 ] thought very little
about it. Death in the abstract was
what held fascination for me.
So in this frame OF mind ! started
for Aunt Becl1y's, accompanied by my
father, who, as he placed me in her
care atthe 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 IL sharp glance as she
seated me in the low basket phaeton
and gathered up the pony's reins; and
she kept up her swift chances as we
rode out to the farm, varying them by
occasional terse questions.
'Been sick long, Rue?"
"For nearly a year," l languidly
replied.
whats the matter?"
81 don't know"
"IIave aches and pains or coughP'
"No-that is, not much" / had for
gotten that cough was usual in cases
OF decline, and forthwith proceeded to
give little one-a very unnatural one
felt it to be at the time.
| Another sharp look.
THAT amt any consumption cough
We'll, how do you feel. any wayP'
20, Aunt Becky, just as if it would
be perfectly heavenly to lie righ
down and die"
My far-away look as contemplated
} the blue sky was intended to SETTLE
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 going
to just yct-not from any thing you'v
got now"
| had no chance to reply to this un
, feeling remark, as we had reached tn
, farm.
, For several days l wandered idl
, around. swinging in the hammock
had brought with me, arrayed i
. clinging white wrappers and slippers
9 When the weather permitted ! too
:, my maps out of doors in the most ap
! proved attitudes-a book of poem
clasped in one hand, one arm throw
gracefully above my head whilo tn
other hung limp by my side, and on
y slippered foot peoped from beneat
= my skirt over the hammock S edge
felt that my affinity might possibl
% hover near me unawares and it b.
i hooved me to keep my lamps alway
. trimmed and burning; for even If
- could not live, we must at least recos
nizc each other-and how could tn;
be if ! did not live, while l lived, u
! to my idealP
# But few days after my arriva
h ready for my day-dreams, | missed n
"A favorite poems; in fact novels as we
" were gone
D. where are my books, Aunt Becky!
| asked, as she was about to drive
a. the village.
p i've put them away. The doct
ve says you mustn't read much, she a
lie swered rs she drove off.
Id / had not heard of that edict befor
Dr. but l knew some poetry by heart al
F." that would do as well; so lay thin
r ing-my breast swelling with emoti
err as l made myself the heroine of me
romantic tale passing through Il
so brain. My eyes were wet with tea
mt and l was sobbing with the excess
he emotional excitement 10 which pitct
ed had worked myself when she returne
ly "What are you crying about Rue
at she brusquely exclaimed.
nd 80, nothing! only" Ipaused I
m decided how to express myself.
W. Only whatP Homesickp"
-, mo, indeed, Aunt Becky! but y
w can't understand me. 1t Is delight
'S' to cry sometimes l do love whel
10 am alone to lie and think and-fee
~ that all. :"
y. "Fiddlesticlzs! Well, got son
~ thing to-day for you to take tina
~ make you teel-better, was all s
- said.
"a That night she came to my room.
1.-TWO OF the Stats are out of my b
-, stead, Rue; ! guess I'll have to slt
~ with you," she announced, tying
her nightcap as she spoke.
:. whats thesep"
ms She had opened one of the bur'
a., drawers in an ostensible endeavo
,ut close il properly.
ra. Only some soft slate-pencils h
"a with me-" l answered, family.
I "Well. now, child, I'm going to t
ro- them every one. / amt going to b
Of you figgerin' one bit while you
in here" she shrewdly remarked as