She entered the sick
room noiselessly; spoke in soft, gentle tones; opened and closed the
doors without the least sound, so that Mrs. Linden preferred to have Amy
rather than a nurse.
Often Amy would sit in the darkened room and watch over her charge
during the long, weary hours of the night. Days and weeks passed, and
the invalid grew no better; still Amy nursed her with the same untiring
patience and care.
Mrs. Linden was very thankful that she had taken Amy into her home and
heart, and realized it more and more each day, and said: "My dear Amy,
you do so much for me. A daughter could do no more. God will reward you.
I, too, will not forget you; and you shall see that I am not
ungrateful."
Amy bade her speak no more about it.
Mrs. Linden said no more on the subject. After a lingering illness, she
became very weak, and at last passed away.
Amy cried as bitterly at this loss as she had done at the loss of her
own mother.
In the course of the week, many of Mrs. Linden's rich relatives were
summoned to the house, where her will was to be read. The lawyer
unfolded the document, and Amy was greatly surprised to learn that her
foster-mother had bequeathed to her five thousand dollars, with the
instructions to choose from her treasures the costliest, as a
remembrance.
The rich relatives were not pleased with this bequest, nor did they wish
Amy to take any of the rings, pearls or jewels. Amy had never been
covetous; and when she was told to select, she said: "It is not at all
necessary for me to have a valuable remembrance.
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