The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-07-25

trained nurse came ana
stood beside him.
SIS there anything l can do?- he
asked.
"What time Is lt?'
"Half phst twelve"
"And we've got TO be at the wharf at
two!"
What made you let me sleep so
longT" the sick man demanded, irri-
tably prop me up in bed and bring
me writing materials. DIDN'T you
know I'd got TO write letter before
we start? And see that there is ink
in the pen"
Slowly and carefully the nurse raised
the invalid to sitting position and
brought him the things he had asked
| for
Now You chn go out and leave me
for half an hour"
The man left the room quietly, and
Mr.. Cummings took up his fountain
pen with trembling fingers. Slowly
and painfully he wrote:
Mrs. Eliza Cummings.
Dear Sister:-I should have written
to you before this, but have been
too i'll. Now I take this last oppor-
tunity to send you a few words l
do not wish to starte you, but time
Is short and my strength Is failing.
| am at deaths door. You know of
my adherence of post mortem cere-
monies and burial, and that l always
wanted TO die at sea. l start for Eu
rope this afternoon, and expect to
die about mid-ocean and be dropped
quietly overheard without any fuss.
I have made my will and arranged
all my affairs You, as my only broth
er's widow, have made my chief
legatee. When you bear of my death
your lawyer can communicate with
mine. My strength is ebbing fast
Farewell.
"RANDOLPH CUMMINGS"
He was breathing hard, but he ad-
dressed his letter, sealed and stamped
it, then s0nk back with closed eyes.
In few minutes the nurse came in,
and after going out again to post the
letter he began the final preparations
for departure.
At balf-past one closed carriage
drew up at the door, and in q few
minutes the sick man was brought
down and he and the nurse were shut
inside and driven TO the wharf.
The next morning the letter reached
Its destination. Rachel Cummings
came into the living room to find her
mother and older sisters with strange
expressions on their faces.
What is ft?" she asked, pausing TO
look at them curiously. II should say
from your faces that you were per-
fectly delighted over something but
were trying very hard to conceal your
satisfaction. DO tell me; 1 am con-
sumed with curiosity"
"Oh. Rachel! What a dreadful way
you hive Of putting things" ex-
claimed her mother, and she began
to cry weakly.
Rachel took the letter which Dora
handed her and read it through quick
ly. Her face grew pale, and when she
raised her eyes they Were gliSsering
strangely.
II don't wonder that you are
ashamed" she said, sternly. You
emit help showing that you are glad
! think you are $ust as boyrid us you
can bp."
She walked ont G the poom, her
head very erect, ran hastily upstairs,
threw herself on her bed and cried
bitterly.
After tinn Mrs Eliza dried ber
/ eyes and looked at her two elder
daughters Before Rachel came in
she had been feeling a little depressed
because she had not cried. But now
that she had really shed tears and
made her handkerchief quite damp
} she felt better and as if slse ooulC
face the situation calmly
i did not think she would take Il
that way" she said in q sutduet
voice "But then, she was aiwnys his
favorfte among you. And she look.
like him. Yes,s with a little snif
''she is Oh Cummings and bears ;
very strong resemblance TO your poo
: Uncle Randolph"
r "Wen mosAer." said Sophie. ~w1la'
are you going to do? Shall we keel
on just the same rs we h4ve beeI
doingY"
, "Why, don't know. 1t does no
4 seem as If you need to continue wori;
ing so hard. You have both looked
rather pale this spring, and hav'
worried about you, poor dears. o.
D the whole think you might give VI
Q your positions"
, "Goodw cried both girls, "we1
get through Saturday night An,
can't we have piano ana take les
: sonsi"
( Their mother smiled at their eager
I, ness.
well sec" she said. indulgently.
So it happened that there were tw
:, vacancies in Tillman's dry goods stor
!. on Saturday night, one at the ribbo
counter and one at the glove counter