The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-04-16

idea is so very ridiculous disappointing
me either for jealousy or some other no.
ton. am angry with him.
Katie unbranded and uncurled with
trembling fingers. 1t was lesson in
life, this arrogant bending TO circumstan-
ces.
1t was new lesson in life, this fash
ionable affection Of the heart" this love
for the purse. not the person she could
not understand it. For long while she
sat musing upon it before the fire, in the
pleasant, tidy kitchen.
Kate was an orphan. She had wept
bitter tears above the dying forms of both
father and mother nay she had held
both dying heads upon her bosom, and
closed their eyes with her own hands.
She was girl of rare natural talents
as yet undeveloped. Her brain was that
of a woman her manners partook Of the
innocent simplicity of childhood. She
had been nurtured to poverty, yet by no.
BILE parents, who had taught her tho
meaning Of the word duty. Sweetly un.
assuming. humble, yet with a natural
pride that would submit to nothing dis
honorable. Katie was almost compan.
ion while she was a servant. Had her
lot fallen where she could have been
rightly appreciated, she would have been
taken to the heart as daughter by the
right Of nobility Of character and gentle
ness 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 a twi-
light somberness.
Dear lady, will you let me stay with
him ?"
You-child !"
Il know l am young, but am not
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 re
member it is contagious fever. and one
in which the physician gives very, very
little hope = she cried, clasping her
hands in anguish. Il am myself an in :
valid we cannot get a nurse for at least
a week-and to take you, so young and
healthful, to tie you down to sick room
-
"Oh, say nothing, please madam, .
exclaimed Katie, /" do let me stay.
know l am only child, but have seen
sorrowing and suffering before now-my
father, my mother, both died in my arms, "
she faltered, and overcome by some sud.
den recollections, she sank weeping up.
on her seat.
The lady arose, and with trembling
fingers herself united the poor, neat bon.
net, and smoothing back the fair hair,
said Bless you, my child, you may
stay, and it my love will repay your de,
votion, you are always recompensed."
Where did you say Katie had gone,
mother 2" said Julia, languidly lifting
up her head 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, springng with energy from
her seat % that dread fever ! Papa says
there are six lying dead with il down
town."
81 told her if she went she must stay
but she seemed possessed to go, and
even limited at taking care of them you
know they cannot get nurse
Can't they poor fellow. l pity
Frank, he thought SO much of me isn't
1T well we are not engaged. mo,her-it
would have been so awkward in case of
his death He has sent for me, you say.
He certainly, if he loves me. does not
wish to expose me so frightfully per-
haps il is only in his deliIium he calls
for me. hope he will get well, poor
fellow | am sure l should miss him il
he We're TO die. But it is so strange
about Katie ! What in the world did
she want to go there for ?" and sinkn
back gracefully on the soft cushions she
placed one delicate hand beneath her
temple. and as unconcernedly as il there
were no sorrow in the world, continued
the thrilling novel, upon whose pages
were marks OF tears shed over imaginary
woe.
Far different from Katie. Oh, how
tireless she was--a ministering spirt to
that sick room. Her hands, /" decidedly
too large aud coarse" as Miss Julia had
compassionately termed them, moved
softly over the feverish forehead OF tho
sick man. Ever at his side was she, with
no thought in her loving heart. but how
she might ease his suffering. And when
the faint light oil his room shone upon
his closed eyelids. over that pale high
brow and wasted form, she would kneel
at the bedside aud implore heaven that
he might be saved.
Hour by hour, when the fever was
high, she bent over him. delig hted as
child when he called her Julia. No ro-
mantle affection. no jealousy disturbed
her genuine heart she was doing a good
deed from pure love and goodness-nor or
once did this humble, beautiful girl
think of herself rs an equal of either Ju-
ia or the lawyer.
Day after day. though the strength grew
ess, less did she continue deyoully by
he sick couch, alternately with the fee
bic mother in discharging her arduous
iuties. The crisis came-passed.
"a Ia is saved - said tha loctnr ssh,,