(Conclusion.
Miss Matilda's reference to Miss Killen pink paper was wot by any means sore subject, though Miss Ellen seldom alluded to it, i¢ being her one and only love affair, while Miss Emily had had more Jovers than she could count, and Mise Matilda had the satisfaction of being engaged a short life-time. As a child Miss had been "sat on," and it was only the death of Sister Fanny and dear Mother that she had to any extent held her own." Many years ago she had paid a month's visit to London, returning to her home in the small country place more dignitied, more refined, and somewhat selfprsseased. "She won the heart of " young farmer who watched her in church, as she aang in the choir, and though she was entirely unaware of the fact, it was with a flutter of proud delight that she received ne morning dainty note, written on pink paper" with gilt edges, offering her his heart and hand, - have seen the note, and though forget the words now, it reminds me of the lines When in the church you kneel to pray, Do not forget some words to say, For those whom your enchanting face Mukes quite forget the sacred plice, Tu distantthoughtsthat wandering stray."
The letter, Mise Ellen's first and only love-letter, was duly taken'to mother, aut a suitable reply wus dictated the young farmer, declining his heart, Bor," suid dear mother, "Ellen, my girl, you must look higher."
Unfortunately Miss Ellen had never seen the writer of the pink note, otherwise her is ight have become happy might have rebelled against mother's
looked higher," and ver aimed at, while she lived on ug she loved her church admirer, Matilda's lengthy engagement lind been cut off by the hand of death, Mr, hoped for brighter' days, clung to Mini Bertson, chronic consumptive subject,
Mati'da, and died with his hand in h Sister Fanny and dear Mother declare was the hand of Providence, and rebuked Miss Matilda for grieving; till she was obliged only to weep in her vwwroonr judd this I know she did till she was a very old woman, for. Ihave seen her sob while the tears ran down her cheeks at the mere mention of her dead lover's name." Tt was many yenrs before she followed him, Mivs Emily died first from the after affects of the long ago tumour, Her burial was a never-to-be-forgotten incident in my life.
Tt was a wet afternoon and we stood around the grave listening to the service. when Biss Matildn suddenly discovered that the grave had been dog, as she termed he wrong way," and that instead by aide of either Sister Fanny, wher, or even Father, "Emily head touched Sister Fanny's feet."
The parson remoneteated and reminded Miss Matilda of the time and place, but the discovery affected Miss Ellen too, and they both insisted that the catlin should come up and the grave be dug anew. Again the parson pointed out that the path was in the way, and that as all the graves the piece of ground owned by the were "fall," there was no help for it but to dig the last grave as it was, The service was continued, though almost drowned by both Miss Matilda's and Miss Ellen's threats to "report him to his Bishop.
The home of my old maids was entirely changed after the death of Miss Enuily. Miss Mary Ann came more frequently, but failed either to cheer. her sisters. or hel clear the air of its mournful strain, wish Emily were here."
'Miss Elfen pined and' sickewéd' and died a year after. I was away at the'time, though Ann told me "It's a great role!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.