The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1908-07-31

~ yOu hlOW, DT. 1eFfl0 cOnCln
ued, turning his strong, rugged fac'
toward the pale, melancholy man re
clining nervelessly in his chair, speak
ing with softened emotion, mot only
does that child support her mother and
herself by her clever, courageous eff
forts, but she looks after a poor, bed
ridden old hag, AIMS mother, pitifu
wretch, who doesn't know the meanin,
Of the word gratitude, and now l heal
she has got to work for the boy, AIMS
brother She sews for the orphans
and her life is spent in helping others
Not one moment of her time is misused
A brave, noble child. If ever the sun
shone on being of superior worth, it
does on Camille. Her father, John, and
| were college mates" the doctor con.
cluded, getting up to go.
A look of keen interest came over the
invalids face. He made a motion to
stop the doctor. Would she consent to
give some of her time to an invalid,
he asked. "If she will read to me daily
it will soften the long, tedious hours.
Persuade her, doctor. The remunera-
ton will be large, for the service would
be great"
81 will bring her tomorrow at 12,"
said the doctor, as he turned and left
the room.
Camille was delighted, for the price
offered seemed fabulous to her BY
getting up one hour sooner, givin<
music lesson before breakfast, shG
ample time for reading daily to y.
ander Reed. Her voice was sweet &.
low, and she had the gift of throwing
herself into the story she read, and
she was good French scholar. Her
mother was Of an old Creole family,
originally titled folks, who came over
from France in the earliest centuries.
The daily readings often occupied
only a few moments Alexander Reed
was a man of culture and many attain
ments, and his leisurely wanderings
had taken him to far-distant lands and
among strange people. Camille found
an infinite charm in his vivid imper-
sOnal descriptions and word paintings,
and to the world-worn man the young
girls fresh enthusiasm and wholesome,
keen-sighted appreciation were per.
petual delight.
The hour was apt to lengthen out,
and 1t was always a surprise to Ca
mile when Mrs. Harris. the sedate
housekeeper, appeared with a tea tray
Mrs, Harris satisfaction was obvious
at the increased animation plainly Wis
ible in the invalid's manner, while the
faint flush on his cheek and the glow
in his dark eyes were symptoms of 4
long-forgotten contentment of spirit,
possibly signs of returning health
Therefore, the old housekeeper ap-
proved of the reading lessons and their
effect
One day joyous color swept over
Camille's face when Ann rushed in to
announce breathlessly that afr Reed
and the doctor had called.
What a delightful surprise" Ca
mile said, ushering them in the little
sitting room, filed with her plants and
flowers.
How kindly was the light in the
deep, gray eyes, and how handsome was
the invalid's face in spite of its care
worn look. How beautiful was the
smile with which he took Camille's
hands in his and held them fast.
Il have come" he whispered, ''to
crave boon. BE generous. little one.
and grant it. Shed the light Of your
lovely presence on the few remaining
years left me, and accept a devotion as
MS eternity, Give me the
right to protect the being l love beyond |
life, or the hope of eternal bliss"
CamilleNraiSed wondering eyes to his.
the color receding slowly from her face
She shivered slightly
1T is no boon," she said, gently. 1T |
Is my hearts desire, How could ever
part from you?"-New Orleans Times
Democrat.
=-------------------
Some people sluander LOT of money |
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