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 father made the previous summer because she wanted "vegables" as well as flowers. Finally every thing was settled to her satisfaction. Kate promised to feed the kittens and take care of the garden, and she looked forward to the anticipated journey with as much joy as any of them, provided they did not go before her peas were large enough to eat, as she was to have a little dinner party then, to be served from her own garden. There was no end to her questions about the probable growth of everything during their absence, asking her father to drive in a stake before they left, about as high as he thought her corn would reach when they returned, to see how good he was for guessing. The oats she thought might be quite ripe so she could feed them to the horse. "Oh father, what if they should all dry up and wither before I get back; then I should wish I had took a little sketch of my garden," said she laughing and jumping at the novelty of the idea.

But one bright summer morning, when the air resounded with the song of birds, and the hum of bright winged insects testified to the gladness of their short life; when the sun's penetrating rays quickened the earth's vegetation with the promise of golden harvests, the Heavenly Reaper came to gather in his more than golden treasure which needed neither summer rain nor autumn sun to perfect it for his hands. Lilly, the May-flower, sickened and died. No skill could save her, no rending cry of anguish could wrest her from death's grasp. Her mission on earth was ended, angels waited to bear her spirit joyfully to the other shore, and beautifully,