Beulah

ay, the carnival month of the year, had clothed the earth with verdure, and enameled it with flowers of every hue, scattering her treasures before the rushing car

e of the children until all traces of the disease had vanished. To this plan Beulah made no resistance, though the memory of her little sister haunted her hourly. What could she do? Make one last attempt to see her, and if again refused then it mattered not whither she went. When the preparations for their journey had been completed, and Johnny slept soundly in his crib,

cast their sh

hrouded form. An over-powering perfume of crushed flowers filled the air, and Beulah stood on the threshold, with her hands extended, and her eyes fixed upon the table. There were two children; Lilly might yet live, and an unvoiced prayer went up to God that the dead might be Claudia. Then like scathing lightning came the recollection of her curse: "May God answer their prayers as they answered mine." With rigid limbs she tottered to the table, and laid her hand on the velvet pall; with closed eyes she drew it down, then held her breath and looked. There lay her idol, in the marble arms of death. Ah! how matchlessly beautiful, wrapped in her last sleep! The bright golden curls glittered around the snowy brow, and floated like wandering sunlight over the arms and shoulders. The tiny waxen fingers clasped each other as in life, and the delicately chiseled lips were just parted, as though

, and locked me from my darling, my Lilly, my all! Oh, woman! you drove me wild, and I cursed you and your husband. Ha! Has your wealth and splendor saved her? God have mercy upon me, I feel as if I could curse you eternally. Could you not have sent for me before she died? Oh, if I could only have taken her in my arms, and seen her soft angel eyes loo

with folded arms and tightly compressed mouth, watching the young mourner. Once he moved toward her, then drew back, and a derisive smile distorted his features, as though he scorned himself for the momentary weakness. He turned suddenly away, and reached the door, but paused to look back. The old straw bonnet, with its faded pink ribbon, had

o place for you. C

ouch, and put up one

d Claudia is now very ill with it. If you st

I shall

ftly drawing back the thick hair, said earnestly: "

was raised to

e grave with Lilly. They cannot separate us there." He lifted he

to me, child." She shook her head with a moan. Passing his arm aroun

d, seating himself in it, he directed the boy who accompanied him to "drive home." Beulah offered no resistance; she hid her face in her hands, and sat quite still, scarcely conscious of what passed. She knew that a firm arm held her securely, and, save her wretchedness, knew nothing else. Soon she was lifted out of the buggy, carr

, did y

y sister to

hed deeply. The door opened, and a tall, slender woman, of perhaps thirty-five years, entered the room. She was pale and handso

l, G

rning from the wind

rranged for this chil

t footbath is provided

et fo

looked searchingly at the figu

reak no

eyes met steadily,

that poor little or

r up, at the hospital?

a boarding house." He folded his arms

h of protegees." She nervously cla

ared as I directed?" He was very pale, and his eyes burned fiercely, yet his tone was calm and subdued. Mrs. Chilton bit her lips and withdrew. Dr. Hartwell walked up and do

trust me

n arranged, as he had directed. However surprised she might have been at this sudden advent of the simply clad orphan in her m

well bathed; and, when she is

ands from her eyes,

ve you safe under my own roof, where n

ear an armchair, looking moody and abstracted. Harriet carefully undressed the poor mourner, and, wrapping a shawl about her, placed her in the chair, and bathed her feet. Mrs. Chilton watched her with ill-concealed impatience. When the little dripping feet were dried, Harri

le about the medicine. I am to sleep in t

ded to, as my brother directed. My head ac

ountenance. The eyes were closed, but scalding tears rolled swiftly over the cheeks, and the hands we

ails you? What m

head closer to the

I want to die, and G

be taken pretty soon, I can tell you; and if you haven't, why, it's all for the best. It is a ba

her grief, but she perceived her master standing beside her, and immediately moved away from the bed. Drawing out his watch, h

ng me a glass

hot forehead of the suffer

er, I know; but remember that, though Lilly has been taken f

ah's parched lips. Without unclosing her eyes, she drank the last crystal drop, and, laying the head bac