Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-23

/ pC4s WIN NlSlS ~
and that is to make q clean breast ont.
I'll go to Lefty the very first thing she
comes back from Lizzie Whites tea
party, and tell her the whole story from
A to H."
With this laudable resolve, Aunt
Abby started up the minute she heard
Letty's light footstep on the stone door
step below, but, fastening down. she
caught her foot in a worn place,on the
carpeted landing, and fell headlone
down the stairs.
Aunt Abby was neither young nor
light. At her age a fall signitied no
light matter. She was taken up sense
less, and carried to the best bedroom,
from which she never rose. Only once
in the. twenty-four hours, during which
the spark of life fingered in her bosom,
did she evince any sign of Intelligence,
and that was when Lefty was bathing
her forehead in scented waters.
Lefty" she said, family; Lefty, is
that you? l didn't mean to Go it. Lefty"
Hush, dear Aunt Abby" gently
soothed the girl, who had loves mag
netism at the end of every one of her
slim young fingers.
"The silk quilt" faltered Aunt Abby
cit is there! It's in the quilt. You
must take it, and-and-
Then she stopped. A film came over
her eyes-the lids dropped.
"i4ush!" said DR.. Perth, author
itatively. Don't let her talk any more
now. If she can sleep"
Lefty locked up at him, with large,
wistful eyes. In her estimation, How
ard Perth was like a strong young
archangel. who might accomplish all
things, even to the raising Of poor Aunt
Abby from this seeming bed Of death.
But at the turn of the night the old
woman died, as peacefully as a child fall
ing asleep.
The day after the funeral, Lefty took
Aunt Abby's work-basket, aud set her
self down under the trees in the garden.
Child. what are you doing?" sud
Mrs. Hopkins, who was busting about
on housekeeping cares intent.
II am going to finish this silk quilt"
said Lefty. Il am sure it is what Aunt
Abby meant by those last disconnected
words of hers. She has been working
OH it all the year, and l am determined
her work shall moi be in VAIN"
It'll be a job" said Mrs. Hopkins,
viewing the work critically,
Il can finish it if / sew steadily" said
Lefty. "Of course 1 can't work as well
and rapidly as Aunt Abby did, but
can do my best"
But as she sorted over the neat piles
Of brocade satin and velvet, a stray teal
FLASHED down, ever and anon, creating
it's own separate little rainbow
among the brilliant tints, for Lefty had
built uD herown small air-castles Oh the
altar OF her own heart; and, alas and
alack-a-day, it was slowly drifting il
pieces!
81 did think he liked me a little" sale
Lefty to herself; "but he had plenty o:
chances to speak, and he never uttered
a word. And-good gracious me, here's
his writing on the back of this velvet
octagon, and, as L live, it's dearest
Lefty"
Her eyes sparkled, a vivid crimson
rose to her cheeks, as she hurried,
examined the rest of the papers whicl
? mad served as q background to poo
Aunt Abby's patchwork. Parts of tn,
all-important letter were gone, bu
7 there was still enough left to make on
l DR.. Perth's case as that nj "hopeles
disease of the heart"
Just at that moment, as good lucl
and Cupid would have it, the yount
doctors gig wheels ratified over th
gravel OF the garden drive. He wa
4 coming to consult with the farmer abou
a free ~dispensary in the village, and be
fore he could reach the door Lefty ha,
run out and intercepted him in til
; shade Of a monster lilac hedge.
Miss Hopkins!" he exclaimed.
"Dr. Perth! Howard!" she SAID
brightly. Il may call you so now
mayn't I, for I have only just receive
: your letter? And see"-holding IL
the ~fragments-"it is all in little pieces
e But how glad-how very glad I am
u get it,"
y Then, of course, a series of explani
tions ensued; and, mournful to relate
the free ~dispensary was quite forgotten
. For were there not more importar
things to think Of?
As for Sam, his comment was cha
! acteristic. Didn't I tell you so a
along?"
And when September came Au1
: Abby's patchwork quilt was finished
y for, in all her happiness, the youn
. doctors young wife had not forgotte