The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-02-19

/ piled her with dry stockings and shoes
But Mrs Fairhaven didn't think. That
was the trouble.
She went down stairs, and Miss Anna
bic commenced ripping the dress to pieces.
The cloud-curtained sky made the room
dark, and the shiyering girl drew near the
window in order to see clearly. Through
every crevice in the sash came chilly cur
rents of the searching east wind, striking
upon her neck and face, and making every
wave of blood that returned to her heart
colder. There was register on one side
Of the room. She went to it and held her
hand against the opening. There came
no pressure of warm air. There was
plenty in the room below-more than was
needed but the damper was closed, thus
arresting the supply needed for the room
above. There was no design in this; only
| Mrs. Fairhaven didn't think. And So,
for want of proper thought on the part of
Mrs. Fairhaven, her frail seamstress was
left to shiver in wet garments, in damp,
! cold room.
A cup of hot coffee sent up from the
breakfast table would have been rs cordial
and would have given sustaining warmth
to Miss Annable. 1t isstrauge that this
was not done You call it culpable indif-
ference and neglect. You pronounce the
lady heartless and inhuman. She didn't
think-that was all (. IF she had compre-
hended the case, the cup of coffee would
have been sent to the shivering girl before
any one at the table was served.
AGO and ask Miss Annable if she has
bad breakfast" said Mrs. Fairhaven to
servant, after her husband and children
had left the table.
Miss AnnabIe came down. The coffee
was lukewarm, and the tough remnants of
steak cold. She drank single cup, and
forced herself to eat few mouthfuls of
bread and butter. Almost any kind heart
ed, observant woman, you will say, would
have noticed her pale, shrunken face, and
blue lips, and her want of appetite would
have had, in consideration Of the wet, cold
morning, and her walk in the rain, some
thing hot and inviting for her breakfast
But Mrs. Fairhaveu had not considered;
did not observe. She was absorbed in
matters concerning herself Was ponder
ing the subject of her children's wardrobe,
and counting over the various garments
she was to extract from her seamstress. La
word, touching Miss Anpable as an in
dividual distracted frcm useful household
machine, she didn't think.
ell be with you in a little WHILE" she
said, as the girl, after finishing her almost
useless meal, went out of the breakla
room. m
Again, on entering the apartment that
had been assigned to the use of Miss An
nable, Mrs. Fairhaven noticed difference
of temperature but she was feshy and
warm blooded, and felt the cooler sensation
as agreeable. She never thought of its |
being too cold for the whitc-faced seam |
stress. In adjusting work, she touched |
her hand frequently; it was like marble
but, she dien't think. She talked with |
her, constantly, looking into her bright, |
elittering eyes, at her colorless cheeks,
upon her blue lips-yet, she didn't think. |
After couple of hours, two bright spots
shone on Miss Annable's face; but Mrs. |
Fairhaven didn't think. Then at intervals |
she eoughed slightly, and sometimes laid |
her hapd against her side Still, the alb {
sorbed lady didn't think. She was too |
much interested in the work that was in |
progress, and too much concerned about /
results, to consider the instrument
After midday, Miss Annable was no ,
longer cold. Fever had warmed her |
thoroughly.
''What rosy checks you have.' said
little Kate, in admiration 1sAnd how I
bright your eyes arew Then, in an un-
dertone to her mother, 'Isn't sue beauti-
ful, ma ~ sa
Mrs. Fairbaven didn't answer, didn't |
look up; didn't think
Dinner time came Miss Annable /
tasted food. Mrs. Fairhaven
noticed it, but didn't thiuk All the
afternoon she was busy with her seamstress,
touched her hand frequently, as in the
it was hot now, but she didn't
think. Looked into. her face often--it
was white before, but ruddy now but
still she didn't think.
Miss Annable would not stay until tea
lime, but left as soon as the evening
closed.
s'You'll come In the morning" said Mrs.
Fairhayep, as the girl stood, slightly
oent forward, with one hand pressed to
Ter side.
sIf | Ia well enough" she answered
'.Oh, you must be well enough Don't
20 to getting sick until you're through
with my work. Remember, I've waited
Ior YOU nearly three weeks"
Mrs. Fairhaven spoke lightly. yet in
earnest. There was not in her mind the