Ester Ried

r, a few weeks later, when, one evening as she w

e you a momen

ears; sick enough for Ester to discover what a desolate house theirs would have been, supposing her mer

to be cared for, and watched over, and petted every hour in the day. She was returning to her impatient, irritable life. She forgot how high the fever had been at night, and how the young head had ached; and only remembered how thoroughly

ne should be with her besides the housekeepe

, only yesterday she had seen Florence sitting beside the open window, looking very well; but then, she was Sadie's fri

e waiting doctor, hearing which, he wheeled

n her present state of body. I

ned away. "Tell her what, I wonder? That you are making much ado

the cottage, into the quiet room where Florence lay asleep-and, for a

he old lady who acted as housekeeper, n

look better this great while

she looks any worse to

, and I suppose he k

by the bedside, glanced at the old lady, who was dozing i

toward Florence) "stirs, give her a spoonful from that tumbler on the stand. I shall be back at twelve. If she wak

way, softly, a

octor was engaged in getting up a scene, the story of which should go forth next day in honor of his skill and faithfulness; yet, having come to watch, she would not slee

yes of the gray-haired old man whose one darling lay quiet o

ation, to Ester. "Some way I feel w

promptly. "I think she

she has been quite bright all day; but the doctor is a

ht, at least, have let this old man sleep

doctor returned. He went

n?" he asked of

Ester's voice was not

them, and grew every moment more sure that she was right, and more provoked. Suddenly the silence was broken. Dr. Van Anden bent low over the sleeper, and spoke in a gentle, anxious ton

o her, M

fair young daughter turned her eyes on him; but the words she spoke were not of him, or of aught around her.

r, and I saw

as the drooping lids closed again,

ds we commit this spi

he doctor cared for the poor childless father with the tenderness of a son; then ca

gel of death had really been there in that very room, and she had been "so wise in h

the trouble as she supposed; but it could not be that she was dead! Dead! Why, only a few minutes a

adie! What would they say to

ful thoughts that she had ever known. God's angel had been pres

room, until every thing in the suddenly stricken ho

th you now," he said, s

r stand just how

reet, saying nothing. As the doctor applied his key

d not think-I did not d

ventured to keep my worst fears from Mr. Vane. I wanted him to rest to-night. I am sorry-it would have been better to have prepared him; but '

llful words, from thoughts of Florence to Florence's Savior. Ester did try; she was kinder, more gentle with the young sister than was her wont to be; and once, when Sadie was lingering fondly over memorie

like Florence. She was

see any thing about her

she never did a

ence, and let poor Sadie rest upon the thought that it was Florence'

Sadie missed her indeed. Yet the serious thoughts grew daily fainter