Randolph County journal., 1859-10-27

Anna, dearl Annap She laid her
lips close to the childIs, ear. and called
her name ienderly; but, the door oi
hearing sleep had barred against the
entrance of even q mothers voice.
And now she remembered with pain
ful distinctness, how she had repulsed
and spoken angrily to the little one.
and she saw again the look of fear that
shadow ed her face, as she raised her
hand threateningly. Tears came into
her eyes. filled them. and ran down
over 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 con
tracted; there was q nervous unsteadi-
ness about the lips and eye-lashes: the
breathing was heavy. and the chest la
bored.
Anna. dear, speak to motherl-
Speak to mother. darlingl'
But Anna only moaned and worked
her mouth in strange. unusual way
Oh, / wish Henry would come
home! sobbed the mother to herself.
giving away still further to the excite
ment of alarm. This child is very i'll,
| am sure. Oh. what can aii herr
There came now the sound of a
closing door Then manly tread was
heard in the passage below.
Father! Henry! Is that you?' The
mother called breathlessly.
Yes. Edith. But what is the mat
ter?' 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 she
grasped his arm.
What has happened?' His voice
was unsteady, and his face grew slight
ly pale.
I'm so frightened about Anna
About Anna"
Yes; she's lying in heavy stupor.
and her skin is like fire; see! 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, anxiously.
Mr.. l.. did not reply. but took one
little wrist between his fingers, and
searched for the pulse. lie was still
and silent for nearly minute.
How long has she been in this way?'
he inquired. with betrayal of alarm
in his voice.
Il found her asleep on the floor. just
now, and tried to waken her. Oh dear,
Henry what can it bc?'
The words scarlet fever were in her
thought. bur she dared not give them
utterance.
1T may be nothing serious replied
her husband, but it will be safest to
call in the doctor Immediately. will
carry her over to our room. You had
better undress and place her in bed
while / 20 tor our physician
AS Mr.. l.. lifted the child in his
arms. she moaned, and fumbled her
hands abou: her throat. as if there were
sense OF pain or construction, there.
'Oh. Henry! go quickly, Pm 50 dis
tressed' urged the mother. as soon as
Anna was laid upon the bed. Tell the
doctor, ii you find him in, that he must
come Immediately. Don't let him put
you off with the promise to come soon.
Bring him back with you
Mr.. l.. hurried away, and Mrs. L.,
after undressing Anna and laying her
In bed, went over TO the setting-room,
from whence there now came the fret
ting cry OF baby. who had awakened
from brief slumber. o
My precious one! exclaimed the
mother, as she hugged her child, al
most wildly, to her heart. My pre-
cious one!
Then she felt of her baby's hand, and
touched its soft cheek. for signs of ie-
yer. but they were cool and moist. An
emotion of thankfulness throbbed in
her heart. And now her eyes rested
on the garment upon which she had
been at work for more than two days.
An accusing spirit was at her ear hint
ing of neglect. The suggestion dis
turbed her profoundly. Gradually the
tmth dawned upon her mind, growing
more and more distinct every moment.
For the sake of gratifying her mother
ly pride in the adornment OF her child IS
body. she had not only turned away
from that child. and hurt her gentle
spirit by unkindness. but she had so
neglected her as not to mark the signs
of approaching disease until the hand
of fever was upon her.
God forgive me! she said. solemn
ly. while shudder passed along her
nerves. My weak heart was overtak-
en- by folly. but visit me not so fear
fully. Oh. spare. spare my child!
The physician came. and Mrs. l..
watched every changing expression OF
his face, and hung anxionsly on his
words. His replies to the mothers
questions were brief. and evidently
guarded. while in her eyes his counte-
nance wore an unusually serious as
pect.
Il viii call again tonight said he,
on going away.
How the words smote upon her
heart
Again tonight Then there was
indeed danger.
BY this time Annals fever had great
ly increased in violence. and she moan
ed and tossed about restle.'sly. The
medicine left by the doctor did not
seem to make any impression. There