The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-31

( looked not unlike a spris of faded Law
/ ender. Her gray gown was faded and
matched her gray eyes and her faded
hair but her sentiment, like the fresh
[ lavender in her apron, had a fragrant
! pungency. Suddenly she wiped away
! her tears. and her face frightened. She
! had seen the postman coming down the
road.
It was many years since he had
stopped at Lavender cottage. but Miss
I Jane cherished a pleasant illusion that
some day ne would bring tidings of Il
/ fortune, and his passing along the road
was the event of the day for the sis
( tiers.
As long as they believed in the for
! tune they did not see the skeleton that
sat all day on the hearth. Confidence
in the letter hid from their eyes the
bare boards of the workhouse coffin.
If it was Miss Caroline who, every
summer, spared a dozen scent bags for
the old women in the workhouse, it
was Miss Jane who planted daisies on
the paupers' graves, and tended them
all the year round. She was very pitt
ful for the multitude of dead that
charity covered so grudgingly.
Miss Caroline glanced from the post
man to the window. Then she smiled
and nodded meaningly. Yes, Miss Jane
was there sewing-she would see the
postman.
The noise Of the latch gave her a
shock. She could not believe her eyes.
The expected had happened. The post
man had stopped at the gate-he was
coming up the path.
The corners of the apron fell from
her trembling fingers. and the lavender
springs poured in fragrant rain to the
ground Miss Caroline tottered to the
door not to take the letter, but TO call
Miss Jane to take it.
1t was the younger sister who ruled
the house. Miss Caroline never even
dreamed of opening her eyes in the
morning till Miss Jane had said, now,
sister it is daybreak. We must be
rising"
But Miss Jane was already at the
door, and Miss Caroline trembled again
to see that her composure was dis
turbed For all that Miss Jane took
the letter from the postman in silent
dignity. They did not speak till they
we're secluded in the little parlor, then
Miss Jane said solemnly: 7 don
know the writing. 1t must be the for
tune-come at last
She laid the letter on the table. and
Miss Caroline sank into chair greatly
agitated.
IF that is the case, let US thank
God" she said, in awed tones. She fell
on her knees and Miss Jane, with an
uncertain cough, knelt down also. But
she. remained silent until Miss Caroline
murmured, surprise, Sister, are we not
thankful?'
Then. blushing family, and recalling
her confidence. Miss Jane thanked God
for his mercy in promising them COM
fort and a home for the end of their
days.
When they rose their agitation had
calmed: they could look at the letter
with steady eyes. It lay on the table
unopened, waiting Miss James sugges-
ton.
Miss Jane polished her spectacles,
and her glance caressed the furniture
that had grown old with them. Il was
ALWAYS afraid we might have to sell
them" she whispered.
Miss Caroline lifted Joseph to her
knee Now we can afford cats meat
for Joseph, she laughed. And pepper
minis for the old people in the work.
house. And I should like to give them a
little shawl each. We know what it is
to miss warmth
"Can we afford them for ourselves
yet?" said Miss Jane. She hated to
cast doubt on Miss Caroline's conf
dence. "Ah, sister" she went on, IF
we could purchase libertyi"
who knows?" said Miss Caroline,
blitheIy. We might have enough to
build almshouses-
'Or an infirmary," cried Miss Jane,
forgetting her doubts. Il should like
the poor to have a strong young nurse
when they are i'll. l thought of that
when had bronchitis last year"
Il forget that / must seem very old