Year: 1873

occupied myself, as much as possible, about
the house. I had many things to attend to
for IA addition to my own arrangements,
hao to instruct Mary in the affairs OF the
household She was very apt pupil, and
soon saw that John would get on as we'll, II
not better, without his old sister Matte.


Owen had been absent about week, when
I received the following note:


"DEAR MATTE Can you come to me? am
in great atiction or would not ask 1t OF you
Do not mention that you have received this note


HENRIETTA HOWARD


Twas very much astonished on reading this.
There had been but little intercourse between
the families lately. We knew that her little
child had been born, and that Henrietta con-
tinued very delicate; but beyond this had
heard nothing. I Immediately decided to 60,
though was aware my intention would sur
prise the family. 1t was long time before
could get aunt Patsys consent. She said


"Child there is some mischief at the bot
tom of this, you may depend upon it. I don't
see why Henrietta should send for you now,
when she has never taken any notice of you
before"


"But, aunty, she is in trouble; you know
I cannot refuse to 60 to her"


"Well! suppose if it is your duty, you
will have to do it"


John took me over on horseback, and prom
ised to come for me that evening. l was ta-
ken up to Henrietta's room, Immediately on
nv arrival. was shocked when | saw her
looking so wretchedly. had not seen her,
for a year, and she was so bright and happy
then, that could scarcely believe that the
person I saw now, so i'll and woe-begone,
could be the same. As soon as she saw me,
she said


"How can I ever thank you, Matte, for
coming to mel I do not deserve il. at your
hands. felt sure, when you saw me lying
here, you would forgive me-"


81 have nothing to forgive you for, Henri
eta. You have never injured me in any way.
You must not let the remembrance of anything
that has happened annoy you now. You
ought to try and dismiss all disagreeable
thoughts from your mind, while you are sick,
and only admit those which are pleasant"


"Oh I wish I could. But you have come
to stay with me, have you not?"


"No, did not intend doing so; John is
coming for me this evening"


"You must not 60 then, Matte. Let me
send note over, saying you will stay day
or two Indeed you ought to doit; yo" will
render me such great service by remaining"
every we'll, then, if it will be any comfort
to you, will not go. But you must let me
write note to Mary, for am afraid they
might be anxious about me-"


It did not occur to me until commenced
writing, that 1 could not tell them achy had
been sent for. tried to get over it as we'll as
I could, and asked John to come for me day
or two later. then returned to Henrletta's S
room. found her sitting up with her baby
on her lap.


1t was the first time had seen it, and the
contrast between Matte and the poor little
child lying before me, struck me most forci-
bly. 1t was very small, and seemed to be sui:
ferng from disease of some kind, for it had
an unnatural appearance. As l drew near,
Henrietta said:


"You have never seen my poor little baby,
have you?" .
"No; has it been sick? 1t looks delicate" !"
ut has never been we'll, and yesterday the
doctor discovered tumor which must be re-
moved at once, or it will cause its death.
This is why sent for you, Matte. Will you
stay with my little child while the operation is
being performed?"


For moment, my heart failed me, and l
thought should have to say no. But when
l looked at the child, and then at the mother,
and saw how perfectly unfit she was to be
present at anything of that kind, I determined
I would consent. And then, too, was | not
to be doctors wife soon? I surely ought
not to shrink from the sight of suffering, when
it lay in the path of duty, if he did not. l
turned to Henrietta, and said


81 am willing to do all that can. If you
think I can be of service, [ will remain.
When is the operation to be performed %


Tomorrow morning. Doctor Green and
Doctor Hanson will both be here. | am
sorry Doctor Morris is not in the neighbor-
hood hear he is such good physician"


eyes, I regret it, too. DO the physicians
apprehend any danger?


eyes; they tell me it is doubtful whether
the baby will havestrength to standit. They
would wait until he is older; but Doctor
Green says there is no time to be lost. There
is a chance of its life being saved, and none if
the operation is not performed"


"How much anxiety you must have suffer-
ed We did not know you were in so much
sorrow, or should have been over before


"I did not send for you, because knew
you were all so happy, preparing for your
wedding, disliked to iutrude my atfiictlon on
you. Oh i! Matte, life seems so different to
me since 1 have been lying here weak and
lonely. l havaso many things to regret and
to answer for


"You must not exaggerate your ottenses,
Henrietta. Wait until you are we'll and
strong, and can make reparation. DO not
let the past worry you now"


81 cannot help it, Matte, when l remem-
Der how much I did which was wrong, in try
ing to make you suspect Mary's love for John
and then about those letters


"But no harm came from them 1t caused