Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-10-11

they did Would You believe that
she actually made the butter her
self"
81 know she did" replied Maria.
Il stayed here on a visit some years
ago. She used to send a great deal
of butter TO market"
"And up at five o'clock every
morning of her life" resumed Mrs.
W est, in grumbling tone. 81
would not be condemned to such
labor for anything"
GLOW is Aunt Hester?" inquired
Maria.
"She lis better than when she was
taken, and can talk well enough; but
the whole of her left side is weak,
therefore she requires great deal
OF waiting on. ! think | shall turn
the care Of her over To you, for it is
great tax upon my time"
81 will undertake it," was the re.
joinder of Maria. $40 you think
she will recover, aunt"
"No, my dear, never. The doctors
say they are sure she never will, and
probably will not live long. But
she thinks she is getting veil, and
and talks daily of what she shall do
when she is about again"
"And is this medical opinion not
told to herr
"No, certainly not" replied Mrs.
West. at would only fret her and
perhaps make her worse"
Maria looked straight before her
for some minutes, her eyes fixed on
the white net which the pony wore
on his ears, and which his mistress
was gently touching with her whip.
But she was looking with eyes that
saw not, for her mind was lost in
thought.
"Aunt," she said, turning her face
to Mrs. Vests, "do you not think
my Aunt Hester ought TO be made
aware of her Danger"
"Why should she be-"
"To 90 Unexpectedly, not looking
for it, would be sudden death" re-
turned Maria, in low tone.
"And sudden death is one of the
most easy deaths" answered Mrs.
West. Il am not sure but what |
would prefer it, could We choose for
ourselves"
ooh, aunt, We pray against it,"
Involuntary uttered Maria. There
can be no last preparation, where
the death is sudden; and so few-so
few, comparatively speaking-live
lives of preparation for it."
Mrs. West did not pursue the sub
ject, and Maria felt checked and re-
pressed; thinking, however, that it
was not wise to depend on late or
"last preparation" Soon they came
in view of the Glebe Farm, as it was
called, which was situated close to
the small hamlet of Briarly. 1t was
a substantial, brick built house, bear
ing both in itself and in its surround.
ing offices and lands the signs of
ease competence and comfort. Mr..
West came from the fold yard when
he saw them, and gave Maria a cor
dial welcome. She was soon taken
to pay visit to her invalid aunt.
Miss West was in an airy, COM
modlous chamber on the first floor;
but Maria was shocked TO observe
the alteration in her. Her face was
drawn, pallid and thin; when she
had seen her last it bore the rosy
bloom of robust health. Tears,
which she could not repress, and
few stammered words of sympathy,
come forth together.
There's nothing to cry about"
the invalid. cor perhaps,
child, you are thinking of your
father? My poor brother Oswald.
should like TO have seen him once
again. How suddenly he was taken"
"Just then | was thinking of you
Aunt Hester You are so much al
tered. | fear you have been very
i'll"
Yes it was a sharp attack and |
strange that paralysis should attack |
health person like me. | hope |
shortly to be up"
Does the doctor say that you
will:" inquired Maria, remembering
what Mrs. West had said.
"Did You ever know doctors ex-
press positive opinion, good or
Dad?" retorted Miss West. Not
hey. Only our family attendant
comes now, and when / ask him
low long am to lie here he tells
ne not to be impatient"
Dear, Aunt Hester" Maria ven
ured to urge, perhaps he may not
mink you will get better. Does it
lot occur to you to regard his eva
iyeness in that view"
"Don't talk nonsense, child" was