The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-29

keen eyes into the face of Oscar, as he tossed
seized Lizzie's hand and placed it gently upon
the pustuleribbed brow
g Your touch is more delicate than mine
does it feel -
"Moist? Yes Tell me--is he -
Yes-saved. Keep your hand there still
you can pray after a while, added he-"it does
him good, you see, though he.does take you fol
somebody who is unworthy to unlatch your
shoes"
Murmuring, tossing less and less by degrees
the sick man soon became quiet, and sank
away into a deep sleep, without any remnant
of fever. An hour more, and the Doctor took
Lizzie by the arm
"Come," said he, "its all right now, and
you must take some rest Go with her, Aunt
Chloe. She can sleep upon tbe lounge in the
parlor, and you can lie on the floor beside her
60, both of you, and take some rest. | will
watch here" And, with gentle force, he dis
missed Lizzie from the bedroom"
When our heroine woke, it was bright day,
and Aunt Chloe had gone. Soon Lizzie heard
her come in, however, and, when she found her
awake, promised her breakfast.right speedily,
Not that she could eat much when it came, for
she had lost her appetite, and was, oh, so faint,
and weary, and desolatel She was still sitting
at the little table, toying with cup of tea and
| a piece of toast, when the front door-bell rung,
and she heard Aunt Chloe walk along the pas
sage way and open it noiselessly. Soon she
came in and whispered Lizzie
Honey, dars a lady out dar come to see Mr.
Malmstedt, and how he is-werry anxious to
know, reckon. Shem pretty chile spos'n
| ak her in to you, and git you to tell her all
about him ?"
eyes, show her in, Aunt C.loe"
young lady entered the parsor, and, lifting
4 harx Id Al.
lovely girl, of about eighteen years. 1t needed
not second glance to make Lizzie sigh.
81 wish to see Mr. Malmstedt.' she began, in
low, tremulous voice; Il have only just
learned how Ill he is, and mpsf see him."
"Do you know what is Che matter with
him-how much it would peril that pretty face
for you to enter his room?" asked Lizzie, very
coldly.
~ must see him; am not afraid
You cannot see him, child he has just
fallen asleep, and must not be disturbed"
He sleepsi" cried she, joyfully then he
is better-oh say he is better
Yes, he is better-will get well if not dis
turbed." -
a will make no noise / WILL move like
thistle down. Oh pray let me OMIT see him do
not be cruel"
Cruel? Who are you that wish to see
him -? What right have you to peril your beauty
for the sake of being shocked by such a dis
tressing sight? Do you expect 10 Aee his smooth
cheeks, his lovely hair, his sweet blue eyes
Who are your" -
II do not want him to know--I come -
Your name is Linda?" -
Has he expected me?" I'D she with
| tremulous eagerness.
Expected you? Why should he? What
claim has he upon your"
NAV retOrt that nnpstion unOn vOu
madam" said the girl, with some dignity /;
who are your Are you his nurse? / have
heard that he was neglected
4ou seem to know Oscar. Did you ever
hear him speak of me-of Lizzie -" -
" His sister Oh, surely you will let me see
him |"
"Sister? Yes, so he used to call me, but
also-his betrothed"
mechanically, and the girl looked at Lizzie WIZ
a piteous bewilderment But Lizzie had no
pity then; she was wounded too deeply.
Yes, his betrothed. He is my brother sim
ply by courtesy?" Did he never tell you
| that?"
mo, he never told me that" repeated the
| girls voice. and she dropped her veil down
again over her face. Lizzie saw how her hand
trembled.
q am glad you are here to take care of Mr..
Malmstedt," added the visiter, in low, far off,
tremulous tone. Il came to see how he was,
hearing that he was not properly cared for, be-
| cause he is an honored friend of NINE" She
paused, turned towards the door, and then, with
! a quick step, came close up to Lizzie. "Spare
me- she murmured. " You will be happy with
him spare me !" and, ere Lizzie could say a
word, she was gone. AS the front door closed
heavily, Lizzie, who stood fixed in the centre
of the floor, as she had been left, heard a step
behind ner, and turning, saw the Doctor. He
placed himself face to face with her, and said
| with harsh, ringing sneer: 81 have taken the
liberty of playing eaves-dropper, madam and
this scene you have just taken part in must be
accepted, suppose, as fair specimen of that
great, unbounded, universal charity which
| have so often heard the enthusiastic young foo
upstairs claim for you"
Lizzie looked at him fercely. "Man," said
| she, "you do not know of what you speak
| ing. Your anatomy reaches mo deeper than
the body. / am thirty years old, sir Will your
medicines be able to supply me with new
! heart ?"
His look changed into one of tender sympa
thy. az also know little Of shipwreck, Liz
zie-but / was more reasonable than you
visited my scorn upon the one who deserved it
Let him GO his ways, ne is unworthy of you
Int do not tear that child's heart--she sails il
the same craft with you-be not cruel"
"'Tis false She lies He is true. Do
not know him2 Have l not held his head here
and seen his soul? Tell me not. She lies"
"My dear Lizzie, know Oscar too well t.
accuse him of wilful trifing with the feelings o
.ny one but would modest woman have come
here as Linda has, unless she loved him ?"
1Who would not love him, DR.. Larsh
Hush-I will not hear you-you shall not rol
me of my life;" and, turning away, she wen
RAPIDLY up the stairs, into Oscars room.
On the second day, when he awoke and turn
ed, calling feebly for water, she was by, ant
gave it to him, laying her soa hand upon hi
forehead.
aWho is it2 asked he, trying to catch he
hand.
, at /, Oscar-your sister.-your Lizzie"
He groaned, my God, my God !" and turne'
his face to the wall, refusing to speak with her
That night, Aunt Chloe pat Lizzie to bed
shivering, and, when the Doctor came mex
morning, he only said:
"As expected. Another case. You mus
keep up, Chloe, for it will go hard with her, an
we can't afford to lose her yet"
} "No, honey, she's one of de Lords vessels.
After that, came long blsSk over Lizzie
e recollections--a long, long hank; and whe
I she returned to herself, 1t was entirely DARK
She tried to raise her bandaged arms to he
y face. hut could not. AS she stirred, however
, she heard step across the floor, and Aun
). Chloe wept over her, Grooming and petting hel
y and, it seemed to Lizzie, CONCERNING herself.
Then there was another step, and she recoe
nised DIR. Larsh's deep but pleasant tones.
5 "You have had dangerous time of it, Liz
5 zie, but we will soon make you well now"
: "And Oscar
"Is getting about Handsomely. He wishe