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 from the loss of blood. She was slowly failing from consumption, and the doctor did not know but this might prove the last blow.

While Nattie watched the window, anxious for her father's coming, her married sister drove up to the door, with her husband. This was not a sight that afforded Nattie much pleasure, for she was not a favorite with her sister; and as for Mr. Stone, the husband, he had once given Nattie a severe whipping for refusing to obey him, when she was visiting at his house. This Nattie never forgot, and both feared and disliked him ever afterwards.

"I don't see what they are here for," she thought, as they alighted and entered the front door.

Pretty soon her sister came into the kitchen, looking very sad, and approached the corner where Nattie sat. She looked at her in silence for a while. This vexed Nattie, for she read reproach in the eyes.