The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-05-13

honorable, Katie was almost companion,
while she was a servant. Had her LOT
fallen where she could have been richly
appreciated, she would have been taken
TO the heart as daughter, by the right
of nobility Of character, and gen,leness
of nature. ygH
$50 she will not come; and he calls
for her so o!ten--oh! il is crusl;" and the
speaker moved hastily through the room,
whose splendor was darkened 10 a twi
light sombrencss.
"Dear lady, will you let me stay, with
him?' ' 5a
"You, childl"
81 know | am young, but l am strong
land net afraid; and if he does not see he
may think-"
"lt is her; so he may--so he might;
he is delirious much oil the time; the
room is dark, too: but my good child, re :
member il is 4 contagious fever, and one
in which the physician gives very, verv
little hope," she cried, claspihg her hands
with anguish, 81 am myself an .invalid;
we cannot get regular nurse for at
least week-and TO take you, so young
and healthlul, to lie you down to sick
ro0m--" i5
ooh, say nothing, please madam" ex-
claimed Katie, edo lei me siOy. know
am only a child, but have seen scr.
row and suffering before now-my father
my mother-both died in my arms;"
she (al;ared, and overcome by some sud
den recollection, sank weeping upon
seat.
The lady arose, and with trembling
fingers herself united the poor, nea,
bonnet and smoothing back the fair hair,
said, "bless you, my child-you shall
stay; and if my love will repay your de.
votion you are already recompensed."
"Where did you say Katie had gone,
molher?" said julia, languidly lifting her
head from the lounge.
"Orer to our neighbor's 10 inquire after
Frank"
"Oh! mother, you will not let her
come near the bouse again." exclaimed
the beauty, springing with energy from
her seat; "lhat dreadful fever! Papa says
there arc six lYing dead with it down
town"
81 told her If she went she must stay;
but she seemed possessed to 60, and
even hinted at taking care Of him; you
know they cannot get nurse"
"Can't they? Poor fellow! I pity
Frank; he thought so much of me; isn't
it well we were not engaged, matt
would have been so awktcard in case of
his death? He has sent for me, you
say; he certainly, If he loves me, does
moi wish to expose me so frightfully;
perhaps il is only in his deirum he calls
for me. | hope he'll get well, poor fel-
low; am sure should miss him If he
were TO die. But il is so strange about
Ka'ie!-W What in the world did she want
TO go there for?' and sinking back grace.
fully upon the soft cushions, she placed
one delicate hand beneath her temple,
and as unconcsfnedly as though there
we're no sorrow in the world, continued
the thrilling novel upon whose page were
marks Of tears, shed over imaginary woe.
Far different with Katie. Oh how
ireless she was--a minis'ering spirit in
the sick room. Her bands "decidedly
too large aud coarse" though Miss Julia
had compassionately termed Them, moved
softly over the feyered forehead Of the
sich man. Ever at his side was she,
with no thought in her loving heart but
how she might ease his suffering. And
when the faint ligb, in the room fell upor
his closed eyelids, and over thar pale high
brow, aud wasted form, she would kreel
at the bedside and implore heaven thai
he might be saved.
Hour by hour when the fever was high,
she bent above him, delighted as child
when he would call her Julia. No ro-
mantle affection, no jealousy, disturbed
her gentle heart; she was doing good
deed for The pure love Of goodness--nol
once did this humble, beautiful girl think
Of herself as an equal Of either Julia or
the lawyer.
Day after day, though her strength |
grew less, did she continue devotedly by
the sick couch, alternating with the
feeble mother in dischargng her arduous
duties. The crisis came-passed.
ale IS saved" said the doctor; bul
only by the most unremiitipg care, under
God, he continued, casting glance Of
admiration a, poor Katie, who, overcome
both with watching and JOY, fell weeping
like an infant into the arms Of the CRATE.
ful mother.
elbow deliciou, this tastes" murmured
Frank in very feeble tones, "but mother"
be continued, pushing slightly away the
plate and the orange, 81 may surely see
Julia now"
"She is not here, my son." said the
ady softly.
"But somebody is here" and with
,eryous movement he parted the curtain
'efore Katie could escape.
"Why, Katie, as live! Cone here
LII 4 7 \ A.. III l..