Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-02-15
Au 0rigiual grize Sturg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE OAKHURST ROMANCE.
BY MRS. HENRY DEAS.
CHAPTER x.

gratulate herself that she had not delayed
coming home. In about week after her re-
turn, Mr.. Conway was taken dangerously Ill
and upon Ethel chiefly deVolved the office OF
nursing him.
When DIR. Harris came he pronounced the
disease to be typhoid fever.
"Doctor, is he very ill?" Ethel asked.
m must not conceal from you that he is,
replied the DOCTOR "but his constitution is an
excellent one, and with carehe may be brought
through it. I know from experience what an
effective ally I have in you; good nurse IS
often of more Importance than medicine.
Ethel stationed herself by the sick bed, there
to pass many weary days and nights Of sleep
less anxiety and care. Soon her grandfather
became delirious, and then her task grew a
difficult one, indeed. He would suffer no one
to come near him but herself and Arly, and
the latter was of course incapable of affording
any assistance. Ethel was untiring in her
zeal and watchfulness, but to soothe and con-
troll strong vigorous man like MIR. Conway
under the influence of delirium was no easy
matter, and soon the effort it cost her to main
tain her post became evident in her careworn
face and exhausted looks.
"This will never do," said the doctor at
last. "Miss Ethel, you are killing yourself by
inches. Somebody must come to your assls-
tance, or shall soon have you on my hands
as WELL"
Ethel confessed that she would be glad of
some help, but added that she did not know
how it could be managed, as Mr.. Conway was
opposed to any one attending to him besides
herself
"It must be managed it is case in which
there is no alternative. You are worn down
to shadow already, and your eyes have gone
so far away can hardly see them. Pity too,
after your jaunt having improved you as
it did. And now about a nurse; do you think
old Kate would answer?"
Kate was one of the old family servants, a
very faithful, efficient negro, who had fire.
quently rendered her services in the sick room,
and did all she could outside Of it to tighten
Ethel's labors.
"She would do nicely" said Ethel, eff
grandpapa would only be satisfied with her."
eff she does not answer, we must have
professional nurse"
"Oh! I think stranger would be worse"
said Ethel. 81 am sure Kate will do as well
as anybody"
So it was settled, and the old woman-glad
to be admitted-took her station by her mas
ters bed. All of Mr.. Conways servants were
devoted to him, and nothing could exceed the
anxiety and distress caused throug hout their
number by his illness. Even the plantation
negroes came continually to the house to get
tidings of his progress, and those belonging to
the house hovered necessarily near his door.
"Now, Miss Ethel, the first thing you do
will be to 90 to bed," said the doctor, "and
sleep for at least six hours. That will be a
moderate compensation for the many hours
rest you have lost. I will remain here during
that time, in case my assistance should be
wanted"
"Oh! doctor, you are very kind, but feel
as if I would not be doing right. Besides, l
don't believe I can sleep"
"Only tryit," said the doctor. "1'll engage
it will not be so difficult as you imagine.
Come, come, don't hesitate any longer, but
be off at once; I prescribe dose of sleep in
professional way"
Overcome by his kindly authority, Ethel
yielded, and throwing herself partially un-
dressed, upon couch in her room, soon sank
into deep, exhausted sleep. 1t was we'll
that she had been forced to yield to the die
tates of Nature, for soon all her energies were
again called into play. When she awoke she
found that her grandfather was worse, and
calling for her in great excitement.
"Oh! Doctor she said in distress, "why
did you let me sleep so long? you should have
woke me before"
Hush it would have been of no use. You
can do very little good, my dear. doubt if
he will recognize you now"
Ethel bent over him, but the doctors words
were verified He still continued to call for
her, without any perception other identity.
"Ethel, where is Ethel?" he moaned; shave
they taken her away too? Why doesn't she
Gomez?
"Grandpapa, am here; don't you see me
here, close by you?
"And Brooke is gone too; everybody has
gone,' he went on without noticing her.
"They are leaving me here to die alone. Well,
it is Judgment on me I wouldn't let her
come back to me when she wanted to, poor
little Kate! But it is horrible never to see
her again
"He is speaking of mamma" whispered
Ethel, tearfully. ...
eyes l know. Sit down, my child, and
keep calm; you can do no good by talking to
him."
Ethel sat down and listened to the incohe-
rent rawlings, in which the names of her moth
er and uncle were frequently mentioned, and
once, that of her own father, also. Mr.. Con-
ways memory had gone back to those early
days when his home had been blighted and
darkened by the loss of both his children, and
remorse and selfreproach for his own conduct
to his daughter seemed to operate powerfully
on his imagination. Then again he would re-
cur to recent events speak Of Brooke and
Arly, calling upon the former to return, and
then again his cry would be perpetually for
Ethel, Ethel-where had she gone, and would
she never come back? He had done nothing
to drive her away; he had always tried to
make her hanny Thus it went ON thronph