The Penn's Grove record., 1895-10-04


seemed dAsed He failed 20 FsoSznir
her, as he failed TO recognize ali tb
other members OF the family. Dl
Rome was hastily summoned, VIII
said he was suffering from sunstroke
and gently intimated that his workin
days we're over. Abner came HON
much later than usual, having stage
to finish the lot. He found the famil
in distress over Mr.. Fosdick's condi
ton. Somehow the blow seemed t
have crushed Mrs. Fosdick. She SO
in a state of apathy, from which the
could not arouse her. Everythinl
fell upon Marie. "Marie" must d
this. "Marie" must direct that.
Henry, instead of bracing himself I
help meet the needs of the place, gre,
iazier than ever, and absolutely refuse
TO be dictated TO.
There's just one thing about II
Abner," said Marie emphatically ON
morning, Eve have got to make on
plans exactly as il Henry we're no
here. He can't be depended upon
You had to do his work yesterday a
well as your own. He is determines
to go to the city. Let him go.
shall oppose him no longer. Thea W
shall know just what we have got Z,
depend upon"
The next day Henry started for th,
city, leaving his share of the burdei
to fall upon Marie and Abner.
"Ill do the best / can, Miss Marie,
said Abner. ~ want you to feel FIRE,
to call upon me early and late and
will serve you faithfully"
"I don't doubt you will, Abner, bu'
OIL if only mother had not fallen int,
such q strange condition. She doesn'
seem to care about anything, and
don't know much. / shall have to de
pend upon you entirely about tn,
farm, and if I fail to show judgmenr
you'll know it is because l don't know.
! not because 1 don't care, and then we
will talk things over and get as straight
as we can"
Marie was not a crying girl usually,
but Just now such large tears stood in
her pretty eyes, and she looked up intc
Abner's face with such an appealing,
dependent look that he felt his hear
jump straight into Marie's hands.
Its not much that I know, but yol
may trust me, Miss Marie" +
Somehow Marie felt extremely com
forted from that moment, although
she could not sing about the house il
her old-time way, yet she worked AND
directed with a feeling of greater So
curity than before.
And in the midst Of it ali Aunt Tab
by came. Even Marie, hospitable a
she was, felt a bit more weary after sh'
had welcomed her and helped hel
place her few garments in the nea
"'spare chamber"
Snow, look O. here, Marie. I mad,
up my mind to come, even IT your p;
an ma air sick. 1 can do 8 little tt
help, an I will, too, if you an I cal
agree on a few things"
"But you are getting old, and 20,
are not strong, auntie, You must no
do much; you'll get sick"
"1f / amt capable there's folks Il
the world as is an we can get 'em."
"No, we csn't,for we've no none.
to do it with" said Marie, decidedly
"WeIl, I have, an I'll do it, pro
vided q good smart gal a come her
an help you, but if you say you'll
allow her to wait on them lazy girl
an work over their hounces an furbe
lows instead of helpin' you, why titan
of much use."
Marie caught eagerly at this hope 9
help.
"Well, auntie, I promise you faitf
fully that Celinda and Clara shall wal
upon themselves and iron their ow
founces. We will have good worl
done in an orderly manner, and I ar
tired, Aunt Tabby."
"We1l there's one a-comin' by mex
stage. I counted on how it would b
an took the liberty to have her prom
Use to come. She's a stout, likely gal.
Marie knew her aunt's compliment
would not be undeservedly given. Sh
ran down with a lighter heart. Abne
came in with his pals of milk and won
dered at the unusual brightness o
Marie's tired face.
"You can't always tell what folk
will do" he said, after Marie had ex
planned. 81 felt as if she had q streal
of goodin her which emergencies woul,
bring out"
And SO the summer waned, and tn
aged father and mother were still in
valids. 1t was with q sad heart an
sometimes tear-dimmed eyes that Mari
saw Abner's favorite books gathering
; suspicion of dust upon their covers
he had nc time for study or reading
Ara then Aunt Tabby suddenly fel
III.
"It's of no use doctorin'." she said
"My time has come. I feel it. an to
morrow I want things fixed prett,
much as I want 'em, an I'll get yol
an Abner to help me tend to it."
So a time was set apart for the dut,
to Marie a sad duty, for she reall,
owed the old lady, who had been 81
kind to her.
With the renewed strength and cleal
voice Wn1cn is 5OmetlIneB given uyint
person, she gave a few explicit direc
lions.
"Jest hand me that tin boz out 0
the upper drawer O. my bureau, Marie.
She did as she was hidden. SAN nov
want that umberel O. mine out o. tn
loset."
A faint smile touched Marie's lip
as she brought an old brown umbrella
that had been the derision OF her sis
ters. Aunt Tabby took it in her trem
bling hands and deposited it CAREFUL.
on the bed beside her. Then she opene.
he box.
"Now, here in this old black vale
Is a hundred dollars. I calkerlste
will pay my funeral expenses. An
here in this brown wallet Is 5000 more
which I give into your charge, Marie
to help pay some of the house expense
An here is my will. You take care Q
that, Marie, an see that everything
goes straight as I have got it. Lawye
Sibley drew it up an you a get hin