The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-10-20

and beauty under her skillful fingers, and
spreading themselves over the garment she
was decorating for her child. And what OF
that child now? She had driven her away
angrily, little while before; and since that
time she had neither heard her Voice, nor the
sound of her footstep. All at once thought
of Anna came so distinctly into her con-
sciousness, that she looked around quickly
to see if she were in the room.
"Anna y she called. But there was no
reply. .......
"Annaw The silence of the apartment
gave her heart a strange feeling, and laying
down the garment upon which she was at
work, she arose.
"Anna!" she called gain, as her eyes rest
ed upon the form of her little one lying upon
the floor. Passing over quickly, she stoop-
cd and caught the child in her arms, repeat
ing her name over and over as she did so.-
But Anna was fast asleep, and did not answer.
So she laid her upon the sofa, and bent over
her with tender, yearning emotion at her
heart. And now the unusual redness of
Annals cheeks attracted her attention, and
she placed her hand upon the soft flesh, ner-
vously. 1t was above the natural heat. She
caught up one of the little hands eagerly. Its
burning touch sent shudder of fear through
her bosom. ..
"Anna, dear Annar' She laid her lips
close to the child's ear, and called her name
tenderly; but the door of hearing sleep had
barred against the entrance of even moth
er's voice. And now she remembered with
painful distinctness, how she had repulsed
and spoken angrily to the little one, and she
saw again the look of fear that shadowed her
face, as she raised her hand threateningly.
Tears came into her eyes, filed them, and
ran down over her cheeks. Through this
binding rain, she sought to read the signs
on Annals countenance; but all she could see
there tended only to augment her fears
The little brow seemed contracted; there was
nervous unsteadiness about the lips and
eye-lashes; the breathing was heavy, and the
chest labored
"Anna, dear, speak to mother Speak to
mother, darlingr'
But Anna only moaned and worked her
mouth in strange, unusual way.
"Oh, I wish Henry would come home %
sobbed the mother to herself, giving way
still further to the excitement of alarm
"This child is very i'll, an sure. Oh, what
can all herr'
There came now the sound of closing
door. Then manly tread was heard in the
passage below.
"Father! Henry! Is that your" The
mother called, breathlessly.
Eyes, Edith. But what is the matter q"
And the husband and father, startled by her
tones, came hurriedly up the stairs.
'Oh, Henry, I'm so glad you've come
home" said his wife, as $ he grasped his arm.
"What has happened" His voice was
unsteady, and his face grew slightly pale.
'I'm so frightened about Anna"
"About Annaw
eyes; she's lying in heavy stupor, and
her skin is like fire; eel" and she drew him
to the sofa upon which the little girl was
lying.
Mr.. Lewis stopped over his child, and laid
his hand against her cheek.
''She has burning fever" said his wife,
anyiously.
Mr.. Lewis did not reply, but took one lit
tie wrist between his fingers, and searched
for the pulse. He was still and silent for
nearly minute.
SLOW long has she been in this way ?'' he
inquired, with betrayal of alarm in his voice.
III found her asleep on the floor, just now,
and tried to waken her. Oh dear, Henry |!
what can it be?"
The words scarlet fever were in her thought
but she dared not give them utterance.
at may be nothing serious" replied her
husband, 'but it will he safest to call in the
doctor imm ediately. will carry her ovel
to our room. You had better undress and
place her in bed while 90 for our physician.
As Mr.. Lewis lifted the child in his arms.
she moaned, and fumbled her hands about
her throat, as if there were sense of pain or
construction there.
"Oh, Henry go quickly! I'm so distress
edH' urged the mother, as soon as Anna was
laid upon the bed "Tell the doctor, if YOU
find him in, that he must come Immediately.
Don't let him put you off with promise to
come soon. Bring him back with YOU"
Mr.. Lewis hurried away, and Mrs. Lewis
after undressing Anna and laying her in bed,
went over to the sitting from whence
there now came the fretting cry of baby,
who had awakened from brief slumber
my precious one I" exclaimed the mother,
as she hugged her child, almost wildly, to
her heart. "My precious oner'
Then she felt Of her baby's hand, and
touched its soft cheek. for signs of fever, but
they were cool and moist. An emotion of
thankfulness throbbed in her heart. And