The new South-news., 1907-10-19

| 'H''hAJ ufe" LcST. He iO0keo 10
with pitlful bcwilderment In his pale
face. and the wrinkled old hands
trembled 80 that they could scarcely
hold the paper.
| The letters come. Christy, but ]
Il can't seem to know what II
means. Don't seem likc--like Deb
by'd write that way. when I've waited
40 long. Mebbe It's cause my eyes
IL so dim. and ! can't rightfully make
1t out 'thout my tother glasses. You
read It. Chrls,y."
chrikty's eyes we're dim also. How
could she break the sore heart with
the knowlcdge that the patient wait
Ing had brought nothing better than
disappointment and ridiculc, Then
a sudden suggestion flashed upon her.
and changed In an instant to purpose.
She flung the fraudulent epistle from
her. and dropped down or the grass
by the old mans side.
Let It 20. grandpa, | know all
about II, and II isn't your letter at
all. yours hasn't come. But. grand
pa. suppose we don't walt for IT any
longer. but Just go together. you and
!. TO see Aunt Debby7"
For moment the face grew so
radiant that II looked almost young
again. Then the brightness died out
In doubt.
Il don't suppose we could, Christy.
| don't never have no money. an
John wouldn't think ho could spare
It,"
i've got it," said Christy with a
determined nod OF her brown head.
ITS my very own and wen 60"
well. Christine Holmes," ex-
claimed Aunt Martha when this new
plan reached her ears. Here you've
been savin' your school-teachin'
money this whole term cause you
was 40 crazy to take music lessons
this vacation"
"Ill be young enough to take
music lessons for long time yet. and
| can earn more money" answered
Christy bravely. "Thc trustees want
me TO teach next year. Grandpa and
| want to 30 on visit this vacation"
Such journey as that was. Every
mile OF the way was a fresh delight
every View OF village, woodland or
river Joy. The old man, aroused
from his long silence grew pleasantly
garrulous. and the cracked. quaver-
Ing voice rose above the rattle and
roar OF the train to pour INTO Chris
ty's ear hitherto untold stories OF the
old days. And when too weary to
talk longer, he leaned back in his
seat with a sigh OF content and the
words. often repeated. Most seems
as II was on the way to Heaven. Be
you enjoying It. Christy7"
Indeed | am" Christy answered
gayly. And she did not know that to
her II was \ journey out OF the care
less sefshnH Hss and thoughtlessuess
OF girlhood pto tender. ministering
noble woma hood
As for pebby's." when It was
reached at |st II was only plain
y w.s.Ss2 . NlAHSapafss z |lat est.au a!a
mans fancy glorined 1t. and 'held,
moreover. warmth OF W tome
which atone@ for many dehcie,J les.
Il didn't know pa felt 80 4bout
comm" DeHby confided to her iece.
Il thought he was that settled at
Johns that no other place wouldn't
seem comfortable. at his time o'ilife.
II knowcd ne wanted to come. I'd
but then l don't know how | ever
could have managed It. either" she
concluded abruptly. with a remem-
brancc that garden truck though
IT provided for the family. was but
rarely transmitted into coin.
A homcly. hard-worked, middle
aged woman was Debby; but the old
| father viewed her and all her sur
roundinRs through magic glasses:
and as he followed her and the chill
dren about to look after wonderful
broods OF chickens, or watched her
about her work while he sat with
baby Mary in his arms. he repeated
often In biissful content: Seems just
like old times to see you hyin' round
so, Debby--jes' like when you was a
girl"
Christy counted regretfully the les.
sening OF vacation. and shrank from
clouding his happiness by any men
ton OF going home. But there was
no need The summons home came
by another messenger, and in such
guise that 1t swept away from the
aged face the last shadow OF earthl,
pain. and left smile OF perfec
peace.
The children. knocking at his doo'
one morning, reported that the.
could not waken grandpa" He ha'
J journeyed on without Christy. an'
she wer' back Slone.
"Of course. twas kind-heartcd o
you, Christine" said Aunt Martha
: as the girl sat IN the low doorwa
' the evening after her return. ~bu
= YOU see now" she added with tn
calm reproof o. superior commo
, sense. "it wasn't really no use, afte
c all Ne didn't live but a few week
:. after you got aim there--not lon
( enough to make a mite of direrenc
r whore he was. Likely he was fallir
0 in mind. or he wouldn't have bee
i so set to so. He'd been Jest as We
= of here. and you've lost Who'll