The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1871-05-25

should die-w
She checked herself, and bent . look
OF untltterable love and anguish upon
the baby's face, as he lay struggling for
breath in her arms.
"Did this come on suddenly?
asked.
eyes. He has been fretful and
feverish all day. + feared he was ill,
and told Mrs. Levering so when she
sent for me to dress Estelle. But she
said was silly. That he was teerhing,
and all children get cross aud feyerish
while teething. I had to carry him all
the afternoon in my arms"
mo wonder you looked flushed and
tired then" I said, "when you came up
stairs. Your checks were burning"
"It was not that" she answered,
quickly, but in a low voice and / knew !
she spoke truly. No need for further
explanations.
GLOW shall We let Mrs. Levering
know Of the danger 2" l again asked.
"She must be sent for"
"Not yet. Wait until we see what |
the doctor says"
Even while she spoke, he came into
the room. 1t was Dr.. Merlin hiuself,
a tall, handsome man, with a grave yet
gentle face, I did not wonder that
Estelle preferred him above all others,
as I had plainly seen ere this. Some
thing heightened and manly spoke
through eyes and manner, the moment
one came to observe him, and the heart
intuitively claimed him for confidence
and sympathy. The moment he enter
ed the room felt his influence. So
did Constance. saw her. eyes lifted
to his with earnest hopefulness as he
bent over the child upon her lap, and
his questions we're answered with an ca
gerness yet freedom from confusion or
fear, that bespoke her entire trust.
He prescribed at once and sent off
+ for the medicine, which he waited to
administer himself. A messenger was
sent for Mrs. Levering also, though he
said it was merely through form, for
Freddie was in no danger. And it
seemed so, indeed, for when she came,
half ar hour after the doctors prescrip-
ton, the child was sleeping quietly in
Constance's arms, bis respiration regu-
lar and easy.
For few moments there was little
futter, we'll bred exhibition of graft
tude and fear mingled, a shower of
thanks for the Doctors prompt atten-
tion, and then leave taking. He was
calm, manly, respectful, and withdrew
as easily as be came, unmoved BY the
tears tho mother brushed hastily from
her checks while expressing her feel
ings. But the m ,mcnt the door closed
behind him, this a1fectonate mother
turue' upon the loving, patent, nurse,
wrathfAlIy.
GLOW in the world could you have
permitted the child to take cold? You
have certainly neglected him in some
way, and you know I am afraid of Group
as Of death. I declare it is too bad,
and at just this time, Of all others. OF
course it would never do to be away
and Freddie ill, but it was hard to have
to drag poor Estelle and her papa from
such splendid party-the very first OF
the season. OF course it is different
with me. I am mother, and have a
mothers feelings, which are always self
sacrificing; but if you had properly at
tended to your duties he would never
have taken cold"
The two little red spots had crcpt
back to Constance's cheeks, but she
made no reply. I saw that she was un-
dergoing strong trial for self.control,
aud honored the effort, though I can
didly confessed to myself a desire to
; burl back selt-defence, strong and Bit
ter. Mr.. levering stood apart, having
said but little, and Estelle was lying all
in a heap upon the parlor sofa where
she had thrown herself, "overcome With
feeling" as her mother had explained
to Doctor Merlin. saw his eyes fash,
then suffuse, as he regarded his nioce's
behavior uoder her aunt's unjust re-
proaches; but when he turned FROM
the room without a word of kindness,
my heart hardened towards him, and
despised the weakness which sealed bis
lids upon what his heart felt, lest his
wife's tongue should utter something
sharp aud reproving.
/ always had hearty contempt for
man who were afraid to be themselves
under all circumstances.
Freddie had a relapse near daylight,
and Doctor Merlin was again called
hastily. But this time ne was not so
su ccessful, and, in spite Of all that
could be done, the boy grew worse aud
worse until about the middle of the af-
ternoon, when he breathed his last.
All this time Constance never moved
from her post even to partake Of food.
With look in her eyes telling Of
unutterable anguish, she sat bowed
over him, caring tor every want with
the utmost watchfulnes or walked the
floor with Linn id her arms. When
the 6nal struggle came, and the doctor
bade her lay him upon his bed, she
still remained At his side until the little
life drifted out upon the great Ocean,