St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-08-05


ing lips of Eva. His mother. yo
know, has been i'll, and is only jus
able to work a little, and this will b
too much for her. If his wound
could only be attended to before slt
knows it, it would less shock her"
Without waiting the mothers reply
the member Of Congress despatched ;
servant for a surgeon. In momcn
he was there.
As'hc entered, Mrs. Ashland turne,
to Nictorine, who, despite her ncrvou:
temperament, still continued to re
main, and said anxiously,
"Nictorinc this is no place for you
you must retire Your health will al
ready suffer from the excitement d
the scene. Go to your chamber fol
the present, as | shall to mine. | can
not bear the sight of suffering
Nictorine rose to obey. The honora
bic gentleman offered his arm to lead
her from the apartment. She accepted
it with one of her sweetest, most be
witching smiles. The mother, toe
bowed and smiled and retired. She
probably did not wish to listen to one
moan of the unfortunate child. And
Eva was alone with the gentleman
present.
Lady, | will relieve you | will
hold the boy while his arm is exam
ined, said the secretary, and his dark.
yet soitcncd, eyes were upon the face
of the gentle girl
The child looked up. He under,
stood the words ; and while he shrank
yet closer to Eva, said, pleadingIv,
and his voice sounded like low heart
moan,
No, no, Eva do not leave me.
Hold me in your arms, and let me lean
my head here it will not hurt me
half 50 much. Say, Eva, that YOU
will. ! will be So still will not
move, or moan, or cry, or make the
least noise And the lip of the boy
quivcrcd, and tears were on that pale
face.
But, dear child, the lady will be
SO tired. will hold You in the same
position, as carefully as she does
And the secretary bent down to take
him from her.
The boy lifted his faint head from
ntr ann.
"Wili you be tired holding me,
Eva!" was the broken whisper that
stole upon the stiffness, as the gricvcd
lip was pressed to silence.
The form of Eva was trcmulous
with emotion.
"No, no, Ally, | will not leave YOU"
was scarcely heard, though all was
still as death there.
Her father and uncle John had en-
tered the room. The former stood be-
side her.
Eva, Eva, you cannot bear this"
and he spoke with deep tenderness.
Eva's saddcncd eyes were lifted to
him.
Yes, yes, dear father, if it will
save him one pang.' And the lip that
uttered this was white as chiscled
marble.
Henry Sherwood handed her a glass
of water. \ faint flush, for Il mo-
mcnt, passed over her brow as she
took it from him, and then it fled leav-
ing it even winter than before
The face of the child was hidden
upon the arm of Eva. Not once did
he cry or groan only IA slight shud-
dering of the frame told that he still
lived, while his arm was examined
replaced and dressed.
Not once had the secretary taken
his eyes from Eva. That one dark,
mourntul gaze seemed fastened there
forever. The member of Congress
stood apart, with folded arms, gazing
upon all Mr. Ashland sat down by
Eva, half supporting her in his arms.
And all was over. a composing
draught was administered to the suil-
erer. 1t was laid gently upon the
sofa it slept.
And Eva--no cause now existed for
cxertion. The hour was past-the
trial was ovcr-thc child slept She
had saved its innocent heart pang,
and yet, for a moment, she looked up
pleadingly into her fathers face.
Perhaps the secretary understood
that look. \ glance of significance
passed between him and the member
of Congress. The latter handed his
purse to the surgeon to rcmuncrate
him for his services
What wild and grateful look Eva
bent for IL moment on his face. And
yet, even then, her own paled to the
81
fitted for the weight which had been
pressed upon them. Her father sup,
ported her from the apartment to her
chamber and ere he went back 10
the parlor, Mrs Ashland, with mock
mournful countenancc, yet with her
softest and blandest smile, as if to do
away any undue impression that
might be made upon the mind of then
distinguished visitor, had returned to
it. .r a.r
| Nictorlne of course, after the very
severe shock her nerves had received
was not expected to make her appear
ance.
The surgeon had gone the mother
of the wounded boy had been sent for
and had come. She had been ill.,
Pale was the gentle face over which
time had left no shadowy tracery.
Only by slight bow did she ac
knowledge herself in the presence Of
others but passed on to where hel
child still slept. She sank down Oh
her knees by the sofa she kissed the
pale cold brow of her only one, and
tears fell fast upon that young face
Her emotion she was unable to con
troll, and, rising, turned to Mrs. Ash
land and said, with deep earnestness
that told the hearts gratitude,