Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-05-17

was under no eccleslaStlcal ''dlrec-
ton" in particular; but I am in
cIiDed to think she was as useful,
and far more agreeable, than if she
had made herself hideous in a poke
bonnet, and committed mental sui
eide.
When her holiday was over that
summer, she came home, and set
tied quietly down to her work.
She was busy at her desk, one day
in October, when a carriage drove
rapidly up the street, and stopped
at the door, and Dick Bush jumped
hurried1y out, and rang the bell.
Emily went to the door herself,
upon which Dicks hurry seemed
suddenly to snbside; and when he
came into the parlor, he appeared to
find great difficulty in expressing
himself, and Emily, greatly wonder
ing, asked after his friend MIR. Mill
burn.
Dicks tongue was lOosed.
"Oh, Miss May" he said, with a
shaking voice, "Evert is dying"
"Where! .How?" said Emily,
startled, and sincerely sorry.
Now Dick had been rather melO-
dramatically inclined. He had meant
to act like the hero Of lady's novel,
and administer q severely infexible
reproof to the woman who had
trifed with EYert; but in Miss
Mays presence he found this plan
Impraetieable, and wisely refrain
ed.
''He went out shooting with fool
of boy, and he, the boy, fired wild,
and Evert was badly hurt, and fever
set in; and, OH Miss May, he keeps
asking for you, and won't be quiet !;
and the doctor said, if you could
you ought to come, for it might
make a difference. There's his note
and Mrs. MillbuFn's."
The doctor wrote, succinetly, that
considering the state of the case,
Miss Mays presence might possibly
keep the patient quieter, which was
all important. Mrs. Millburn's note
was an incoherent, blotted epistle,
begging this unknown young lady
to come and save her boy.
Emily could not refuse her moth
er hurried her OFF, and in two hours
she was seated beside Dick, on her
way to Springfield. Her reflections
were not pleasant. Every one would
talk, and suppose there was a rO-
nance. Ely st. John would be sure
to know about it, and ELY was such
little chatter-box; and to try to
make a mystery Of the matter would
be still worse.
Then she had ''nothing to wear. -
And how should she get along with
Evert's mother and sister, And
who would take her Bible class on
Sunday? And what was to become
Of her little book promised for "the
spring trader"
81 dare say it's all nonsense his
wanting me" she thought. "People
never mean what they say in a fe-
yer. / remember Pat Murphy in
sisting that he would have a hippo
potamus 'handy in the house;' and
if Mr.. Miliburn comes to himself,
how horribly embarrassing it will
bel"
On the whole, Miss Nays feelings
were rather those Of vexatiOn than
of romance.
They rode all night, and when
Emily reached the door of the hand
some old-fashioned house in Spring
field, she was conscious of f'lOoking
like a fright" and wished herseli
anywhere else
The door was ne sooner opened
than she was embraced by little
old lady in black, and a pretty girl
in an elegant morning dress. Both
were in tears, and had evidently
been for sometime on the verge o.
Mysteries; and Emily at once set then
down as 'tthe sort of women who
are never of any use"
"Oh, my dearI 1t is SO good Ofyou
So very good of you!' said Mrs
Millburn.
81 am sure you viii be his guardi
an angel" said sentimental Hatty.
''NOt at all. Mr.. Millburn and
were very good friends, and / shal
be very glad if l can do him am
good" said Emily, in very matter
| of-course tone; and then the doctol
made his appearance, and begged
her to come up stairs.
eff he could be kept quiet, Their
/ might be chance for him." said tn
doctor; "but so much depends OIL
nursing'-and the doctor endeC
with an expressive silence. Ever
was moaning and sobbing, and beg
ging that some one would sens
Emily May with F'one drop of wa
ter"
The nurse, who, to Emily's crit
cal eyes, looked anything but capa
BILE, was fussing over him in a wa,
that was enough in itself to drive
sane person mad. Emily poured ou
a goblet of water with a stead
hand, and as the ice tinkled agains
the side of the glass she held it t,
his lips.
"There is water" she said, in he
ordinary sweet, CHEEKY voice.
"Now if you will try to be quiet,
viii stay with you" a-L
She could not tell whether h
recognized her or not, but the ner
vous, feVerish distress and excite
ment seemed in some measure t,
subside; and, after a time, he wa
comparatively quiet.
Now nursing a wounded man in
fever sounds very romantic in
novel; but, in its real details, it
anything but romantic business.
Emily May, at Evert Miliburn'
bedside, felt herself in an entirel
false position but she took care @
him, for there was nothing else +
be done. The nurse went off in
huff with Miss May and the doctor
Mrs. Millburn and Hatty could onl
cry and rustic about, and overse
things with their dresses. Ever
would grow restless as soon a
Emily left him, so that the charge
in spite of herself, fell into he
hands.
Happily Mrs. Millburn and HIATT
were not jealous. On the contrary
they admired Emily extremely, an
were very grateful and afTectionat,
Before the end of the week Ever
came to himself.
"I have dreamed you were here,
he said, with a faint smile. "NoI
l see it is you and no phantom"
The delirium had gone, but th
doctor said nothing encouraging
Evert insisted on hearing the exaC
truth; and learned at last that
might possibly live a few days, bU
not longer.
Then, to Emily's wonder and dii
may, EYert entreated that, for tn
| AAbtAO uAO tASAO was ACAAaluAHS, 81
would take his name. His heal
was set on this idea, and he pleaded
for what seemed such a useless booi
with vehemence that seemed like
ly to hasten the last moments. Mr.
Millburn and Hatty seconded th
petition with tears, and were SUI
that "darling Emily" would not r,
fuse dear Eyert's last request.
I Emily did what nine women OF
of ten would have done in the sam
case, and consented.
"What harm can it do?'' sh
T thought, ait is only mere form
, but it gives me the right to be wit
, him to the end, and will preveT
any talk; and he is so good, and h,
f loved me so well /; and if 1t comfort