The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-02-20


1t is Mrs. vance's last day
"You know Mrs. Brent drives me
Wild" was the answer; "but go, of
course. can stay alone and you can
think of me lying here alone and
dying, maybe. But then you'll be well
rid of me. l sha'n't trouble you much
longer"
ooh, don't talk So" said the girl,
with tears in her eyes, as the last
CLEAN of the vision faded away and
left her with an aching head, tired
feet, and a long, dreary day in the
sick-room stretching out before her.
Another vision came to her. 1t was
of tired, faded face, which she re-
membered SO well, TRANSPORTED in
some way by heavenly glory, and
voice which seemed like an angels
repeated: Promise me to be patient
and bear everything" and then she
thought of the bird as it flew away
from the cage, and it seemed to be
singing, Patience, patience"
II am sorry you missed your merry
making today, Matte" said Mr.
Bradley when he came home to din
ner, land rather think you need to
be out in the open air now and then.
You've been looking a little pale
lately"
cts only the warm weather" re-
piled Martha, land it's nearly over
now. It's almost the middle of Sep.
tember."
eyes, yes" said Mr.. Bradley, slow
ly, $50 it is. You've been a good girl,
Matte, and l don't want you to wear
out. I'll come home early tonight,
and you must take walk up the
river to Cousin Barbara's and see if
she can't come down here for few
weeks to spell you little"
And so the afternoon was not so
long after all, and Aunt Patty had a
good nap, which gave Martha an OPP
portunity for an undisturbed hour
with her precious books.
"It hasn't been such a bad day
after ALL" she said to Mrs Vance, as
she babe her good night at the fence,
81 had real nice read and a walk,
and l could almost see what you
were doing, the sky was so clear"
81 believe I smell the flowers al
ready" cried Mrs. Vance; "of pa
thence l mean," she explained as
Martha looked wonderingly at her.
A week later Mr.. Bradley came
into the kitchen with letter in his
hand.
Glow would you like to go to the
city to schoofthis fall7" he asked.
ooh, father" cried Martha, show
could L? What do you meant"
"Why, here's letter from Mrs.
Vance," he replied, slowly, "asking
me to send you to her for the year.
She's taken fancy to you, it seems,
and wants to have you make her
long visit, and she promises to find
good school for you. There's some
thing about giving bird chance to
use its wings, which | can't make out:
maybe you can"
Martha's face beamed with Joy as
she read the pleasant words, but a
shadow came over it as she said:
"But Aunt Patty-I can't leave her.
Oh, dear, should like to go!"
ooh, Barbara and l will take good
care of Aunt Patty and she'll prize you
all the more when you come back"
replied her father, heartily.
"Do you suppose she'll be willing
to let me go9" asked the girl eagerly.
"Don't worry about Aunt Patty"
said a voice from the next room. 81
don't want to stand between you and
happiness, child, and when you gave
up your picnic SO pleasantly last
week, made up my mind it was
about time for me to sacrifice some
thing, too"
1T will be cross for me to give
you up, don't deny; but say go"
eyes" said Mr.. Bradley, 'we can't
allow our Martha to wear out with
much serving, and look pale and tired,
and so we shall send her off next
week."
And happy Martha went up to her
room to read again the precious note
to herself, which ended thus:
"The flowers are growing finely;
but l think they need a little more
sunshine. We will try to find it,
C11urchndn.