“I well remember,” replied Willie, “the kind aunt who attended your mother during her last illness, and I will gladly do my utmost to render happy her declining years.”

I had secretly felt some fears that my uncle might object to our receiving Aunt Patience to our home.  A short time after, I mentioned the matter to my uncle, telling him of my mother’s dying injunction to me, that I should not neglect Aunt Patience in her old age.  His reply put all my fears to flight.

“I am glad, Clara,” said my uncle, “to see that you respect the wishes of your deceased mother.  Our dwelling is large, and we can surely find room for Aunt Patience.  I will go for her myself, as I am at leisure, and would enjoy the journey.”

With a light heart, I wrote to Aunt Patience, informing her of our intentions; and a few days later, my uncle set out on his journey to Massachusetts.  When he returned, accompanied by my aged relative, tears mingled with my welcome, so vividly was my mother recalled to my mind by the meeting.

CHAPTER XXIII.

A PLEASING INCIDENT.

Again it is the twentieth of May; and, this day five years ago, was my wedding-day.  Two years since, and the fountain of a new love was stirred in my heart, namely, the love of a mother for her first-born son.  One year since, I was called to stand by the dying-bed of Aunt Patience.  Her end was peace; and her earthly remains rest beside those of my mother.

My uncle still lives with us, a hale and vigorous old man, over seventy years of age.  The parents of Willie still reside in the city.  Birdie and Lewis are both at home.  Lewis assists his father in their business, which has again become very prosperous.

I bring my story to a close by relating an incident which took place the summer succeeding the date of this chapter.  I had long wished to visit my friends in New Hampshire:  but my own cares had hitherto prevented me; but this season I decided to pay the long-deferred visit.  Willie was very glad to accompany me, having long wished to visit the Eastern States.  Birdie and Lewis also bore us company.  As our way lay through a portion of Massachusetts, I determined once more to visit the small village which formerly had been the home of Aunt Patience.  We arrived at Woodville late on a Saturday evening, and on Sabbath morning were invited to hear a talented young preacher, who, we were informed, had lately been called as pastor to the Congregational Church in that village.  As the young minister ascended the pulpit, his countenance struck me as being strangely familiar.  As I was endeavoring to decide in my own mind where I could have before met him, it suddenly occurred to me that the young preacher was no other than my old friend, Obadiah Hawkins; and when, upon again raising my eyes I encountered one of those old-time furtive glances, I felt certain that I was right in