The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-04-09

Lne handsome, OeatQ-uKe lace was cover
ed with blood:
"How did it happen?" questioned she
slipping her arm under Percy's head.
"They were hosting some iron in Broad
street, just when Mr.. Keith was passing,
and the pulleys broke. A close thing
very close thing. A splinter struck him
just here; see how near the temple it is
never mind" kindly for grace began
to shiver; "don't look at it more than
you can help-he's beginning to grow
conscious"
Percy opened his eyes, and stared
wildly at them for second, then fell into
the same deathly stupor. The doctor
finished sewing up the wound
II fear he'll have serious time of it,"
said he, watching Grace as she washed
the blood-stains away from Percy's face
and hands. "He may have fever, and
possibly be delirious. Is there any one
to send Tor! do you want nurse, or
can you take care Of him?"
II shall send for Mrs. Rochester, Mr..
Keiths sister" said Grace, steadily; "but
1 am quite competent to take any direc-
tions you may leave"
'I'll stay for an hour or SO" said the
doctor, seating himself; "you go and send
the message for Mrs. Rochester. Please
send that man (whatever his name is,
who came for me) to me, and come back
yourself as soon as you can"
Grace went out, found Soames, dis
patched servant for Fanny, and then
finished her mornings experience by
fainting away on the nursery floor, to the
infinite alarm of Maggie and the twins.
However, when Fanny came, she found
Grace posted in the sick-room, able to
answer all questions, and laugh away her
fears.
And now began real siege for Grace
Elliot. Percy woke from his stupor n a
raging fever, and Mrs. Rochester took up
her station in the house every day, but
soon worn out with anxiety, was obliged
to relinquish her place to Grace, whom
DIR. Archer declared was invaluable.
Every spare moment that Grace had was
devoted to Allie and Fred, who grew des-
perately fond of her, and only ceased to
roar when she left them, by being told of
poor papa, so very, very i'll down stairs. "
Grace-how could she help it?-grew
deeply interested in her handsome pa
tient, and toiled untiringly, day and night
till the crisis came. He raved that night
of Laura" and sad, indeed, was the
picture she drew from his descriptions of
his sighted love, and lonely heart. 1t
made Graces own heart ache; and hot,
regretful tears rained from her eyes on
his face, as she knelt down beside him,
and prayed for him. And into Percys
delirium stole strange fair vision-a
vision of pale girl, with golden hair, al
loose and flowing far below her waist,
her white hands clasped in earnest sup
rlication, and her fearful, gray eyes look
ing love into his; and he thought the
vision bent and kissed his lips, and
then he watched her fade away as he
sunk into quiet, peaceful slumber.
The crisis was over; and when Percy
Keith opened his eyes again, he turned
them toward the watching figure at his
side. He moved little, and the woman
bent over him-a commonplace-lsoking
girl-a mere servant, to Judge BY her
dress.
"Who are your" he said, in faint
whisper.
"Mrs. Rochester's maid, Rosa said
Grace, the darkened room preventing his
seeing the color that dyed her face
"And where is shes"
"Mrs Rochester,"
"No; the pale girl with goldei hair,
who prayed"
"Hush!" said Grace, hurriedly, ,ained
and frightened lest he had reall been
conscious enough to recognize her "you
must talk no more now'-and Perry, toe
weak to insist, soon fell asleep.
i He grew better SO rapidly afbr that,
that Grace began to try to absent herself
from the room. But he was DIR adfully
petulant and whimsical, and void take
nothing for himself, but insisted Oh Rosa's