The Press., 1891-09-10
Number 24.

the nome aCmOSpn0r6 clOud6u us DoIOre. Already Mir. Hale had engaged passage for the young men on the "Pavonia, !" and whatever was to be done must be done quickly.
 The day before their departure, the brother and sister made time for drive to Bessie's new home to break the news to her. Paul was down at the farm pack ing away some of his own and some of his mothers belongings, while Nancy Maria ran about after him like 8 good natured hen with one chick. The poor spinster, who knew little of love and nothing of tenderness, chung to the manly youth who was kind, and respectful, and ever thoughtful of her comfort. She i'm sisted that he should write down all his orders for her, where she might see them and not forget one, for, as she said, "We old maids haven't much memory, seeing that we had never had children to quick en our wits and to make us think in a chain lightning kind of way from mornin' to night" To please her, Paul wrote down the orders as follows: 1. Be very patient with father. 2. Let him want for nothing.
 B. If you need help go to Squire Hale. 4. Make it as pleasant as you can for Miss Hale when she comes to see father, as am sure she will. Tell her frankly all you think I want to know and her parents will write to me.
 5. Make all the money you can out of my hens and spend it for yourself, and always remember that I am your sincere friend, PAUL BURoHMoRE. 1T declare for it," said the worthy wo- man as she read and re-read the last lines after Paul had said his final goodbye" .I wouldn't take hundred dollars for them last lines. shouldn't wonder the leastest mite if that boy is big man some day. He's nobody's fool; and have said so ever since he was knee high to bumble-bee."
 As Maida and Phil rode together on their way to the parsonage and Bess, they had thousand things each wanted to- say, but neither could remember them at the right moment.
 "Phil, dear, when you are really gone shall want to pound myself for not say ing all manner of nice things to you be- fore the sea rolls between us, but some how the furry and worry has kept me so busy. If you will just imagine that have said all manner of beautiful thoughts, which never do-and that I have said all manner of sweet things, which never can-you will greatly oblige yours most sincerely, Maida Hale."
 There was no one looking on that coun- try road, so Phil put his arm about her while she drove, and said:
 II want to thank you, pet, for all your patient sweetness and thoughtfulness dur l ing these trying days. Father isliterally broken up, one can see; and the Blessed Iis having sweet, submissive struggle, we both know; but in all the excitement iof your graduation and the wedding and the after worry, you have been simply a cheerful, comforting angel"
 s'Oh, Phil"
 "Yes, dear, you will be terribly lonely when I am gone and you must make me a promise"
 Anything in this world" said Maida, as she dropped the reins upon Betty's back Git would be a comfort to do some thing for you, would be blind in your place, Phil, if could."
 s'I know it dear," said Phil, as he drew her head upon his shoulder, ''there is no limit to your unselfishness and am afraid that you will all spoil me; but, pet, l must preach bit to my dear little sister. J
 'Don't, Phil, leave it to Horace; one parson in the family is enough"
 Her brother well knew, though he could not see distinctly, that she was smiling through her tears. Her brave, hopeful spirit never surrendered.
 1T shall have to preach," he said, 'fol your sake. You see, May, have beer studying medicine, and know this ener, getic little machine, called your body better than you do. After all this ex citement is over, and the home is still very still, with Bess and myself away you will find it dull here sometimes, dc what you will. want you to promise me that you will spend at least two hours every day in the fresh air also, that yot will never worry in secret about two long
 legged boys over in Europe; also that you will write to me precisely as if could see and read the letters myself. Do, yor Ipromise ?'
 "Yes, Phil, will do my best"
 Remember that blindness, if it does come, has fallen upon far better men, ant
 hundreds of poor souls who cannot bt cared for as am. That will help us tt
 bear it better." s Maida did not reply. If this gifted
 brother could look at the future with sucl
 hopefulness, why should she repine?
 "There is one thing more, dear," sait
 Phil, 'sthe hardest of all; come wha
 will, I never can write you one line my self. Of course Paul will doit for me anC say all that tell: him, for he. is an hon
 orable and noble fellow, but perhaps il time shall learn to shut my eyes ant make one or two pitiful hen-tracks fol you to read"
 "Dont risk it, Phil; you know wha
 the doctor said about any mental effort
 will send you the longest, silliest let
 ters and every time Paul writes you mav send me flower of some kind, and tha shall be our postscript; and the language
 of the flower will tell me what my dea
 old Phil is thinking about. Do you re
 member how often we did that when wa
 a little thing and you were at college?'' T ssYes, May; and all these years I hay, been waiting for my little sister to gros
 mp, have planned great things for you and am glad that Oscar was sent to tn,