Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-07-07

after its birth to the care Of Mrs. Dandy
who had herselfbee confined, also with
q boy, abou, fortnight previously
Scarlasina being prevalent in the neigh
borhood, Mrs. Dandy was hurried away
with the two child rem TO place neal
Bath, almos, before she was able to bear
the journey. Mr.. Arbu,hno, had no
lief. his wife for an hour, and consequent.
ly had only seen his child for few min.
ules jus. after il was born.
"With respect TO the child" replied
DR.. Lindley, II am of opinion ,ha, Mrs.
Arbu.hnot may see it IN day or two.
Say the third day from this. if all goes
well. think we may venture so fai
but | will be present, for any untoward
agitation might be. perhaps. instantly
fatal This point Professionally settled
we all three went our several ways: 10
cheer the still suffering rector with the
good news.
The next day but one, Mr.. Arbu.hnot
was in exubcran. spirits. "Dr. Lind.
ley's report is even more favorable than
we had anticipated" he said; land
start tomorrow morning, TO bring Mrs.
Dandy and the child'-The postmans
suhdued but unmistakeable knock in
,errupted him. 1.-The nurse" he added
ais very attentive anG punctual. She
writes almost every day" A servant
entered With salver heaped with letters
Mr.. Arbu;hno, tossed ihsm over eager.
ty, and seizing one. after glancing at the
posImarS, tore 1t eagerly open, muster-
ing as be did SO: ut Is not the usual
handwriting; but from her no doubt
"Merciful God y | impulsively exclaim
cd, as suddenly lifted my eyes to his,
"W ha, is the matter!" A mortal pa!lor
hid spread over Mr.. Arbu.huot's before
animated features. and he was glaring a.
the letter In his hand as If a basilisk had
had suddenly confronted him. Another
moment and the muscles Of his frame
appeared to give way suddenly, and he
dropped heavily into the easy chair from
which he had risen TO take tie letters.
| was terribly alarmed, and first loosen.
ing his neckerchief, for he seemed chok-
ing, said: "Les me call some one;"
and turned 10 reach the bell, when he
instantly seized my arms. and held me
with grip Of iron. "No-no-no!' he
horsely gasped; "water-water!" There
was fortunately some on sidetaole, |
handed ls to him, and he drank eagerly.
Ii appeared TO revive him little. lie
,hrus, the crumpled letter into his pock-
e, and said, in low, quick whisper:
There is some one coming Not a
word, remember-noi a word!' AT the
same time, he wheeled his chair hal:
round, SO ,ha. his back should be toward
the servant We heard approaching.
IL am sent, sir, said Mrs. Arbuthnol's 5
maid. "Io ask if the post has arrived. "
Yes" replied Mr.. Arbu!hno,, with
wonderful mastery of his voice. "Tell
your mistress shall be with her alr os,
immediately, and that her-her son is
quite well.
Mr.. Tyrel," he continued. as soon as
soon as the servant was out Of hearing.
",here is, | think, a liquor stand on the
side5oari in the large Gining-room.-
Would you have the kindness TO bring
j, 20 me unobserved--mind thai--unob-
served by any one!"
| did as he requested; and the instan.
| placed the liquor.frame before him he
seized the brandy csraie and drank with
fierce eagerness. For goodness sake,
| exclaimed. consider wha. you are
about, Mr.. Arbu,tino,, you will make
yourself ILL.,
No, no, he aniwered. after finishing
his draugh,. ..it seems scarcely stronger
than water. But IL am better now
II was sudden spasm OF the heart; ,hat's
all. This letter. he added, after long
and painful pause, during which he eyed
me, | thought. with kind of suspicion
the letter you saw me open just now.
comes from relative, an aunt, who is
i'll. very i'll, and wishes TO see me instant.
ly. You UNDERESTIMATE
| did understand, or al least | feared
that did too well. /, however, bowed
acqaiesance; and he presently rose from
his chair and strode about the apartments
in great agitation, until his wite's bed
room bell rang. He then stopped sud-
denly short, shook himself, and looked
auxiously a, the reflection of his flushed
and varying countenance IN the magniti.
con, chimney glass.
4 do not look. ,hina-or c, least
shall not. in daikened room--odder.
more out Of the way-ihat Is, more agi-
,ated-,han one might, than one must
appear. after hearing OF the dangerous
illness of-of-an aunt!'
You look better, sir. than you did
awhile since
Yes, yes; much better. am glad to
hear you say so. That was my wiie's
bell. She is anxious no doubt. to see
me-
He had left the apartment; was gone
perhaps ten minutes, and when he re-
turned was thought less nervous than
before. | rose to go. Give my res
pec.s,' he said, TO the rector; and as an
especial favor he added. with a strong
emphasis, .let me ask OF you no, to
mention to living soul that you saw me
50 unnamed as | was just now; that l
swallowed brandy. II would appear