St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-04-02

ed, she was able to assume an air Of
external indifference. Laura said
nothing about Mrs. Grant, or her fam
lily, for some time after she came in
and Anna, though all cagcrness, Gar
eagerness that she struggled in vain
to SUPPRESS to hear what had trans
pired through the day, asked no ques
tions. At last Laura said, after look
ing into her face steadily for mo-
!, ment,
"How strongly you resemble your
. cousin Florence" -
/ Anna started at this unexpected re
mark, while deep flush passed over
her face.
"Whom do you mean by my cous
in Florence 2" she asked, quickly re
covering herself, and looking some
what sternly at Laura. -
IL mean the daughter of your
aunt" was replied. There are two
grown up girls-your cousins-Ella
and Florence. The latter resembles
you very much in the face and there
the likeness ceases. She is a proud,
vain girl did not see much of Ella"
Did you see my uncle ?" asked
Anna, striving as she spoke, to pre-
vent the interest she felt in the ques-
ton from showing itself in the tones
of her voice.
"No," was replied, Il eat my din
ner with the housekeeper, and, there.
fore, did not see all the family"
did you learn whether he was liv-
ing with Mr.. and Mrs. Grant 2"
"No, had no opportunity to ask
any questions of the housekeeper at
the dinner table" ......-.. y
Did you hear his name men,
tioned?" .-...,
"No."
He may not even be alive"
There was touch of sadness in the
tone of Annals voice, as she said this,
that revealed the true state Of her
feelings. ....
IL cannot tell but I will learn to
morrow" replied Laura.
Anna made no further remark OF
the subject. .. ......
How have you felt to-day 2" sht
asked, some time afterwards.
"Not very WE'LL" Laura said. 9"
was troubled with dull aching in m,
breast all the afternoon. Once O
twice quick Pushes of heat went owe
me, and then grew faint. wa
afraid, sometimes, that wouldn't b.
able to keep up until night"
You must not go out tomorrow,
Anna said in concerned voice.
" / have promised your aunt, and d,
not wish to disappoint her. l hope
shall feel better in day or two. Mrs
Grant has promised to have some
work ready for me to bring home tt
you in day OF two"
"To me J"
yes, to you" Laura smiled. 81
did not tell Mrs. Grant that you were
her neice. only told her that friend
of mine, who did not go out to sew in
families, could do something for her il
she wished"
On the next morning Laura felt even
more indisposed than on the previous
evening. Anna urged her not to go
out, but she could not be induced to
remain at home. For two or three
days she held on with great difficulty
But her overtasked strength at last
yielded. She came home on the eve
ming of the third day, quite sick. Tht
pain in her left breast had increased
she breathed with dif6culty-he
skin was hot and she had an irrita
ting. dry, hacking cough.
J She had told Mrs. Grant, on leaving
her house that evening, that she wa'
afraid she could not return but pro
posed taking some work home, to
which that lady assented. She brough,
with her small bundle which was
given into the hands of Anna. 1t con
tanned several garments that were tc
be made.
The illness of Laura, for whom An
ma now felt the tender love of a sister
banished from her mind all thought.
of her relatives-thoughts that hat
haunted her, and disturbed her spiri
for several days. She had turned her
self towards them, with reluctance
She turned from them again, without
a lingering regret, and gave up al
her mind to the care of Laura, fol
whose fate her heart trembled to its
centre.
AT first, it seemed that rest was all
the sufferer wanted. She slept through
the night, and awoke on the next
morning, apparently refreshed. Her
pulse was calmer, the pain in her
breast not SO acute, and she breathed
easier. But on attempting to rise, a
dizziness caused her to sink back up.
on her pillow, while deadly paleness
overspread her face. In little while
she recovered from this, and was able
to sit up in her bed but Anna would
not permit her to rise. She drew lit.
tie table up to her bed side, and set
upon it their morning meal. Laura
tried to eat, but she could only swal-
low part of cup of tea. Her stom-
ach loathed all food.
After breakfast she tried to sit up
and sew. But she soon had to relin.
quish the attempt. The efforts to con.
centrate her mind upon her work,
caused her head to swim, and q faint
ness to come over her.
1t will not do Laura. You are too
sick to attempt any thing now. Unjust
take your work from you," Anna said,
when she saw the effect of the sick
girls efforts /; and by gentle force she
took her sewing from her hands, and