Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1897-04-23


TO see me reading. She thinks II Is a
waste OF time. It's of no use for me tc
Try to think OF anything but mendins
and pillow-cases."
But, my iittie friend" raid good Mrs.
Vance, you car make meuding and pill
iow-cases beautiful. You can have tho
most lovely thoughts ali the time, while
the sweet flowers of patience are grow
ing up In your heart" $50
Patience again." laughed Marthn,,
adding. soberly, ATS what my mother
told me, roo. Well, if that's beautiful
Ill try TO have one beautiful thing about
me-" - =
Bat Martha's great trial wns vet to
come.
Mrs. Vance had planned n grand ex>
cursion and picnic for one of the lash
days OF her visit, and Martha had been
dreaming for week OF this day In the
woods. n whole. free day.
Her busy fingers were setting the
Inst stitches in "A new muslin dress for
the occasion, and she gave "A SIGH OF
satisfaction as she held IL out ut arms
length 10 behold II.
Vanity, vanityi" said Aunt Patty.
crisply. al hope you don't forget about
the ornament of a meek and Quiet
spirit"
No, Aunt Patty" snid Martha, alb.
sen'ly' her mind filled with happy
thoughts of the next days pleasures.
Il do believe" said Aunt Patty n few
hours later, that one of my bad spells Is
coming on. The heat has gone TO my
head. L guess you'd better make me a
little composition tea aud III go 10 bed"
The tea Gid not prove eflicacious, and
the fever grtw worse toward night, and
poor Martha was kept up oil night TO
bathe the hot head and bring cooling
drinks.
The vision of the cool woods grew dim.
mer and DINNER, but when the morning
sunlight Hooded the room, she ventured
TO say:
Would you mind, Aunt Patty. n kot
old Airs. Brent To stay with YOU to-day2
do 80 want to go the picnic. II Is
Mrs. Nance's last day" -
You know Mrs. Brant drives me
Wild" was the answer: "but 90. of
course. can stay alone and YOU can
think OF me lying here alone and diving
maybe. Bl-s then you'll be well rid OF
me. sNSn't trouble you much longer"
oh, don't talk NO, said the girl, with
tears In her eyes, as the last CLEAN of tho
vision faded away and left her with On
aching head, tired feet, and long.
drcary day Ia the sickroom strctching
out before her.
Another vision came TO her. II was OF
tired, faded face, which she rcmem-
bercd so well, transhgured in some way
by heavenly glory. and a voice which
seemed like an angels repeateds "Prom-
Use me To be patient and bear every
thing, and then she thought of the
bird as II flew away from the cage, and
IL seemed TO be singing. Patience, pa
tience." rs
4 am sorry you missed your merry
making to-day, Matte" said Mr.. Drnd-
ley, when lac came home to dinner, "and
| rather think you need TO be out in the
open air now and then. You've been
looking little pale lately"
ITS only the warm weather." re-
piled Martha, land it's nearly over now.
IT'S almost the middle OF September
"Yes, yes" said Mr.. Bradley. slowly
80 Il is. You've been n good girl. Mat
tie. and don't want you TO wear out.
III come home early tonight. and you
must take a walk up the river to Cousin
Bnrbara's and sec If she can't come
down here for few weeks 10 spell you
a little"
And so the afternoon was not so long
after all. and Aunt Patty had good
mp. which gave Martha an opportunity
for an undisturbed hour with her pre-
ciops books.
VI hasn't been such n bad day after
all" she said TO Mrs. Vance, as she bade
her goodnight at the fence, .'I had "A
real nice read and walk. and could
almost sec what you were doing, the
sky WAS so clear"
IL believe I smell the flowers al
ready" cried Mrs. Vance; ''of patience.
| mean," she explained, as Martha
looked wonderingly at her.
week later Mr.. Bradley came into
the Kitchen with letter in his hand.
"IIow would you like TO GO 20 the
city to school this fall?" he asked.
"Oh. father" cried Martha, "how
could /? What do you mcan?"
why, here's n letter from Mrs
Vance," he replied, slowly, asking me
10 send you to her for the year She's
'""Sh a. '"hCy W yOus u StcnS, uDfA
wants TO have you make her a long
visit, and she promises to find a good
school for you. There's something
about giving a bird a chance to use its
wings, which | can't make out, maybe
you cam
Martha's face beamed with joy as she
read the pleasant words. but a shadow
came over IL as she said:
but. Aunt Patty. ! can't leave her.
oh. dear. should like to go!"
'Ob, barbara and l will take good
care of Amt Patty. and she'll prize you
all the more when you come bach. ;" re-
T'iied her father. heartily.
'.Do you suppose she will be willing
to let me go?" asked the girl eagerly.
Don't worry about Aunt Patty,-.said
voice from the next room. ~ don't
want to stand between you and happi-
hess. child. and when you gave up your
picnic so pleasantly last week made
up my mind twas about time for me to
sacrifice something. too"
1T will be a cross for me to give YOU
up, don't deny; but I say sgo.'r