Year: 1873

mo. lie lett that DAY, soon after you were
taken sick"


"Is he coming again?"


81 hope not. But you must not worry
about that man. 1t will be all right. Shall
I bring you your little daughter ?"


"No. I would rather not see her yet You
must name her 'Mattie,' and you must take
care of her for me. Will you promise me
this ?"


eyes, darling"


"Now call Harry"


~ think YOU had better wait for little
while. am afraid the doctor will think l
have been letting you talk too much, already.
I will tell him to come as soon as you have
taken another nap"


"Oh! Matte, don't you see that I am not
going to get we'll again? That is why l
would not let you bring me the baby 1t is
grief enough to part from Harry; but my
precious little child that I have so longed
for! 1t is hard to give her up, is it not?
But you must let Harry come to me soon, or
it will be too late"


As turned to leave her, saw the doctor
and Harry standing near Ibeckoned Harry
to take my place, as the doctor and myself left
the room. His first question was


"How long has she been conscious


1 told him, and also what she had said
about herself.


II think differently" said he; eff we can
only keep her perfectly quiet, and she can
sleep, I think she will recover. But we must
be careful not to thwart her in any Of her
wishes, or seem to disagree with her in her
opinions as regards herself: I trust that her
life may yet be spared"


"God grant it may! But it seems now to
hang by such slender thread, that it is al
most like hoping against hope to think so."


"Your sister has a strong constitution, and
that is everything in her favor. You must
not let Mr. Worthington remain with her too
long. 1 think you are the best nurse she can
have for the next day or two, if you think
you can stand the fatigue"


"Ohl yes. I can stand anything, now, my
heart is so light"


When returned to Nellie's room, L found
her lying asleep in Harry's arms. He mo-
toned to me not to disturb her; and finding
1 could do nothing, went to look after the
baby.


1t was my first experience of having a
young baby in the house and as l looked at
that small red specimen of humanity. found
myself wondering if any of the "beautiful
babies" had so often heard young mothers
speak of, looked like this, in the beginning
But I had overcome my dread of letting it
fall, and of its putting its eyes out with the
little knob of hand, which seemed to have
been made for the express purpose of being
crumpled up so as to look as little like hand
as possible. I could manage very we'll as long
as it kept quiet; but, dear me when it did
commence to wriggle, what powerful risk it
ran by being in my hands. was glad when
its nurse came to my relief, though I was be-
ginning to love my little niece and namesake
very dearly, I must confess. She was rather
redder than liked to see her at her advanced
age. The fact is, my heart was so light at
Nellie's improvement, that l felt as if there
was nothing to annoy or distress me. l forgot
all the trouble which was in store for us, and
remembered only that she was spared.


She awoke much refreshed by her nap, and
after sending Harry away, seated myself to
watch her during the night. suddenly re-
membered that 1 had letter from Mary
which I had not read I was glad to hear
from home, and also to think that [ had some
thing to interest me; for now that my mind
was at ease found it much more difficult to
keep my eyes open, than when my heart was
filled with anxiety or dread.


opened the letter, and its contents were as
follows:


"DEAR MATTE: We were much obliged for
the nice, long letter you sent us yesterday, ana
delighted to hear that darling Nellie is no worse
We are getting along quite well. John laughs at
nv house keeping, but aunt Patsy says l do very
we'll. do not think shall ever like it, though /;
so YOU must come home the first minuteyou can
be spared. Not for that reason; but there are
some other matters here, which think require
your attention. On two occasions, since you lett,
have been sitting up reading to aunt Patsy and
each time, as went up stairs, met the man John
hired. He said he came down for some water ;
but do not believe him. Has John any valua-
BILE papers in his desk? I thought 1 saw this
man examining it the other day. am afraid you
will think am very silly to write you this; but
it has worried me so much, thought would tell
you. We all miss you exceedingly, and will be
so glad when you can come home: John and
aunt Patsy send love. Yours affectionately,.


MARY LESLIE"