Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-07-10

|
terror, Millicent started up, and, 10! it was
dream.
Before she could compose herself, there was
rustling at the chamber door, and the surgeo
, entered.
: 81 thought had better come in again tonight.
he said. ''But you look terrified Is she dead ::
. Millicent paralyzed by the inquiry, could max
He stepped softly up to the bed, carefully sha
ding the night-light, so as not to disturb Mr.
Grantley, if she were still asleep. As he turne.
again, his eye met Ml;ccnt's.
''The worst is past - he said, ':or she could no
sleep so calmly. This will refresh her, and
now think she may recover"
M:llcent uttered an exclamation of ioy, he
eyes filling with tears.
'Yon may lie down. now, without the least ap
prehension,' resumed the surgeon, kindly, San,
beg you will; for if you are not careful, you vii
be very likely, after so much anxiety and fatigue
to take the fever yourself. Now. mind what
tell yoa, and go to hed'' And bidding her gooe
night, he went awav
His hopeful anticipations Were realzed; 70,
next morning found Mrs Grantley with renewed
consciousness, aud manfestly increasing il
strength Looking up. she encountered the fonJ
gaze of Miilicent.
SIS it you, child?" she said; ''and your face SO
pale, so worm"
''Oh, bat am very well, ma'am,, answered
!
to see you better''
"Ah l have been in great pain--verv great, and
for so long time, too. recollect now, just as
If it were dream. And you have been with me
all the time, have You not, Millicent?''
Millicent only smiled-a soft, melancholy smile
full OF tenderness and affection.
81 have seen you," resumed Mrs Grantley: ~
have felt you We're here, watching, soothing and
attending me. 1t is you who have fitted about
my bed, doing every thing required, supplying
all my wants; and | can see, poor child. by your
altered appearance, you have totally neglected
yourself"
mo, no. ma'am. You have provided for se
so bountifully. could not want for onythng''
bat are Won not afraid of taking the fever
Millicent?' said Mrs Grantey with look of soli-
citude. ''Indeed, you have done wrong-very
| wrong, TO incur this risk"
81 never thought of the risk. ma'am. Eve hcen
so much among fevers ever since could know
what they were. and they seem as nothing TO me
and what Eve done cheerfuly for the girls in the
pit ought to do for you, ma'am. 1t has
been such satisfaction. such consolation 10 me.
and now am so happy that can speak TO you'
| "ARd | am unhappy. Mliicent TO sec Won so
i'll: therefore, If yoa wish to hold voar post CT
nurse any longer, YOU will instantly go TO your
own room and take some rest. Nav, will not
hear word Of excuse. You must go.''
Mliiccnt weary and exhausted though she was.
venture 10 disobev her mistress. Besides. her
mind was relieved of weight of apprehension, a
burden too great to be borne; and soothed, COM
forted, cheered.fu of confding hope, ,and CRATE
ful sense of the over-ruling watchfuness of Hea-
ven, no long time elapsed before she was asleep.
A few davs brought back to her cheeks their
natural look of health and vivacity. In the mean
| time there was gradual but marked improve
ment in Mrs Grantley. who progressed every day.
under Milhcent's renewed care, in the same fa-
vorahle manner; and, fortunately, nothing occur
| red to retard her recovery.
! CHAPTER XII. ~- ua-
Happy TO Mjliigent was the dav when. for the
first time after her illness. she again attended Mrs
| Grantcv to the flower garden. The tnncful
voices of thousand birds, echoing in melli1uous
concord from every tree. were not more locund
more melodious, than the unheard song of her
heart. And everything was OF a character 10
increase and heighten enjoyment. Nature wore
| her brightest dress, radiant with the oDenine
| glores and sparkling verdure of spring. The air
| though warm summer, had the braciny fresh
ness of the season; and the budding trees and
flowers yielded their first perfume.
| s.How bright. how charming everything is -
exclaimed Ms Grantley, who, after protracted
confinement 10 the SICK room, had a Keener APP
| probation OF the scene.
at is, indeed. very beautiful replied Mill
cent.
..But can you enjoy it like me, ma'am ?"
"Why should not?'
s'Becanse YOU have never been shut mp in the
earth as have, only seeing the SKY at night. II
is like a new life and new world, to me.'
Poor girl! Bat why do you think Of those
days of trouble now?''
.'I cannot help it ma'am. when every thing is
| 50 different. and reminds me by contrast of what
was. You have taught me too, to read nature
like a book, and | find it one in which every day
turns over fresh page, revealing something
had not observed befere.''
THAT is because vou are always searching fol
knowledge, Mlicent. There are probably few
people in that pit of darkness you have escaped
from, with the same rectitude of feeling-few
who possess yonr capacity and intelligence"
You think too kindly of me, maam." said
| Niliicent. her cheek mantling with pleasure
There were many there with better abilities
than have, which they We're ever trying to i'm
men they would make if they had only known
how to read''
at is a scandal on our Christian character thai
they do not but, till YOU made these sad revela-
tions, had no idea that such ignorance existed
i'll England. That mine OF yours was rich one
after all. if it contained such materials. But dc
yoa remember the little poem gave you yester-
day?"
:'oh, yes, ma'am! The ''Elegy in Countr,
Church Yard"
"Well, there is one stanza in it often quoted
so as to have become almost hackned, but which
our conversation forcibly illustrates
"Full many gem of purest rays serene
The dark. unfathom'd caves of ocean bear;
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
| And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
wish we all remembered those lines more fire.
quently.'
In this manner they continued to converse
growing every moment more attached, more in.
innate and Mrs Grantley began to regard Mill
cent less as servant, than an humble compan
ion and friend.
That night it was long before Millicent coult
settle to sleep Fancy still fingered on the pas
dav recalling the words and looks of her mis-
tress 50 full of kindness, Of esteem, of affection
And such thoughts, grasping and realizing hel
fondest hopes. were, in the soothing silence o
night inspiration to heart like hers, so profounc
in its emotions, and predestined to love and b,
loved.
Suddenly she was startled by loud screams ant
outcries from every quarter, when she found th'
room full of smoke, and strong soffocatinc oior
leaving no doubt of fire. Opening the door, Sh'
distinguished several figures hurrying down tn,
stairs, though almost invisible in smoke, which
bursting from the rooms below, ascended in dens
volumes, while her ear caught the prolonged
fapping noise created by flames. To throw
shawl over her shoulders was the work of an in
slant, and then, reckless what became of herself
she flew to seek her mistress.
Mrs Grantley. aroused by the alarm, had quit
ted her bed, but had been unable to make out tn