The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-02-10


the Prise, not the person she coult
not understand it. For long while ST..
sat musing upon it before the FIRE, in tn,
pleasant tidy kitchen.
Katie was an orphan. Sho had wep
bitter tears above the dying forms o
both father and mother; nay she hat
held both dying heads upon her bosom,
and closed their eyes with her owr
hands.
She was girl of rare natural talents
as yet undeveloped. Her brain was
that Of = woman; her manners partool
of the innocent simplicity of childhood
She had been nutured in poverty, ye
by sensible parents, who had taugh
her the meaning of the word duty
Sweetly unassuming, humble, yet will
natural pride that would submit to no
thing dishonorablc. Katie was almost
companion while she was servant
Had her lot fallen where she could have
been rightly appreciated, she would
have been taken to the heart as daugh
ter by the right Of nobility or character
and gentlencss Of nature.
so she will not come and he calls
for her SO often. oh, it is cruel;' and
the speaker moved hastily through the
room, whose splendor was darkened by
twilight. sombreness.
Dear lady, will you let me stay with
him ~.
'You--child !!
i know am young, but am moi
afraid, and if he does not see, he may
think
1t is her, so he may-so he might;
he is delirious much of the time the
room is dark, too; but my good child
remember it is contagious fever, very
little hope she cried clasping her
hands in anguish. 4 am myself an in
valid; we cannot get nurse for at least
a week-and to take you, 50 young and
healthful. to tie you down to sick
room
'Oh. sly nothing please madam cx-
claimed Katie, do let me stay. know
l am only child, but have seen sor-
rowing and s, firing before now-my
father my mo;her-b,th died in my
arms;' she faltered, and overcome by
some sudden recollections, she sank
weeping upon her seat.
The lady arose, aud with trembling
fingers herself united the neat b,nnet,
and smoothing back the fair hair. said
bless you my child, you may stay, and
if my love will repay your devotion,
you are always recompensed.'
Where did you say Katie had gone,
mother said Julia, languidly lifting up
her hand from the lounge.
Over to your neighbor's to inquire
after Frank -"
'Oh. mother, you will not let her
come near the house again, exclaimed
the beauty springing with energy from
her seat; that dread fever! Papa says
there are six lying dead with it down
town.
Il told her il she went she must stay;
but she seemed possessed to 60, and
even limited at taking care of him you
know they cannot get nurse
Cant they ? poor fellow. pity
Frank. he thought SO much of me; isn't
it well we are not engaged, mother--it
would have been SO awkward in case Of
his death! Ee has sent for me, you
say. He certainly, If he loves me, does
not wish to expose me SO frightfully; per-
haps it is only in his dslirium he calls
for me. l hope he will get well, poor
fellow l am sure l should miss him if
he were to die. But it is so strange
about Katie !! What in the world did
she want to 90 there for 2 and sinking
back gracefully upon the soft cushions,
she placed one delicate hand beneath
her temple, and as unconcernedly as if
there were no sorrow in the world, con-
tinued the thrilling novel upon whose
pages were marks of tears she'd over
imaginary we.
Far different with Katie. Oh, how
tireless she was-a ministcring spirit
to that sick room. Her hands, 'decid-
edly too large and coarse though Miss
Julia had compassionately termed them,
moved softly over the feverish fore.
head of the sick man. Ever at his side
was she, with no thought in her loving
heart, but how she might ease his sut-
fering. And when the faint light ol
his room shone upon his closed eyelids,
over that pale high brow and wasted
form. she would kneel at the bedside
and implore heaven that he might be
saved.
Hour by hour when the fever was
high, she bent over him delighted a.
= child when he called her Julia. No
romantic affection, no jealousy disturb
ed her genuine heart ; she was doing a
good deed for the pure love and good
nsss-nor once did this humble, beauti.
full girl think of herself as an equal oi
either Julia or this lawyer.
Day after day. though the strength
grew less. did she continue deyou.ly by
the sick couch, alternately with the
feeble mother in discharging her ardu.
Gus duties. The crisis came-passes
He is saved said the doctor, but
only by the most unremitting care, under
Cod he continued. casting look oi
admiration at poor Katie, who overcome
both with Watching and joy. weeping
like an infant fel; Into the arms Of the
grateful mother. aa a..a ..a.a ..s.
How delicious this tastes.' murmur-
cd Frank in very feeble tone but
mother he continued. pushing slightly
away the plate and orange. i may sure
ly sec Julia now
She is not here. my son. said the
lady. softly.
But somebody Is here.' and with q
nervous movement he parted the cur.
tains. before Katie could escape.
sWhv Katie &c live N,r,o ho~o