New-York tribune., 1903-02-12

BY HARYOT HOLT DEY.
PART IL

One week later Margaret and I discussed the sub
ject again.
It's remarkable thing how Aunt Caroline s
house goes on just the when she is sick as It
does when she is well" she said. But l dare
says she directs the entire menage from her bed or
else the momentum is so well established that II
would away. The carpenters finished to-day
and she has been selecting the wallpaper and car
pet the furniture tapestry. curtains and draper1es
I declare it's positively ghastly the way she
has had her bed covered with samples, and she Is
as eagerly interested in everything connected with
that Empire parlor If she in perfect health
It's the first time I ever heard of any one getting
ready give a funeral. especially ones own
What do you think of it. Richard, anyway
Perhaps it's the ruling passion strong in death,
I made reply.
My Aunt Carolines condition kept us on the
qui vve of excitement for days and weeks. When
the Empire parIor completed. and the furni
ture arranged according her direction with every
hanging and fold in place, she turned her atten-
ton to other things. She ordered samples of
tnin cotton material resembling China silk. and
from among score Of patterns she selected four,
and ordered material for pair of comfortables OF
each, with cotton wool TO fill them. When they
were completed and brought her room, she
summoned Mary Jane to her bedside.
NOW my laughter" she said brisky. here
eight comfortables-one pair for each Of the four
beds. Do not mix them. The blue ones are for the
guest chamber and the olive for your fathers
bed Be sure to keep the pairs together. If you
take proper care Of them you will have bedding
another set made. Don't cry, These are things
have the pink ones for your own room as they
match your dressing table and the wallpaper. Give
the younger girls the yellow There. don't
cry! The house will have to even if l not
she takes the h sn Pans M aPe Bss 10 hair ii and
with Amandas. Never permit their hair TO be
clipped some every month for the next year. Get
3, pencil and put down the quality of sheeting
very particular about the brand You as well
buy the sheets and pillow cases ready made but
never get the hemsttehed ones They don't wear
Tomorrow the dressmaker is coming to make up
see that you ar, properly clad for the winter
Aunt Caroline got ready for her demise rather
leisurely, although could say thaC more
work could have been done even if it had been
they were tried on and inspected. and then hung
up in the closet They we're not black dresses.
wish to have her children gowned in sombre black.
-Four new hats were also added to tn tn collection
all very much stirred up by these active
shocked then greved and errifed finally began
to take lively interest in mothers plans and the
entire family developed frame OF mind that was
Bat time Slipped away. and Aunt Caroline still
fingered with apparently slight change in her con
dition She maintained a melancholy attitude
lips watched the execution of her ideas for the
future.
everything hasn't she?' I said to Margaret one
in the activity of preparation Il am glad the
girls do nor seem to take matters so seriously as
Every ore is busy, and there is no time, 10
mourn said Margaret. II thought everything had
been attended TO. but she called me over to-day to
consult with about her plans for the last offices
surdity of it all. She has made UP her mind that
she is going TO die, and suppose Fate as well as
of will have to give in to her executive
force She doesn't look much more like dying than
do. and am sure she is not right in her head
What did she want of yOu?
She gave directions about her funeral and
II the thing not so lugubriouS IL would be
awfully funny. She wants violet funeral! What
do you think of that2 The casket IS to be violet
color. and her gown is to be violet. and there are
q be no flowers but violets.' Margaret shuddered.
Don't bring home any more Violets for
while. please ] you, Richard, that have
gone very nearly to the end of my rope some
body will die around here soon II Aunt Caroline
doesn't | believe | shall Margaret looked eX-
tremeIy serious for a moment. and then began 10
Presently she was Laughing again. so that
alarmed.
help 1t. And yet must cry. too Please let me
Control yourself my dear l said. and tell
the rest. If il is not too painful.
PAINFUL exclaimed my wife, and she shook with
suppressed laughter Aunt Caroline has asked the
children what they wish to give TO each other ard
10 their father next Christmas She has made out
nurchas. She has ordered tissue paper and
violet ribbon with which 10 tie up the parcels
When they told that after she had been ordef-
ing a violet funeral nearly collapsed IL is ride
Is doing She seems to have nothing but executive
brain cells, and she certainly has an apnorInai
amount OF them. She is not only crazy herseH' @ nut
through have begun to plan my aftairs al nishI
regarded my wife with some concern as she
,nado this disclosure and forthwith decided thar