Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-16

tor very soon pronounced that he had
the fever. When Birdie heard that he
was in danger, she insisted upon seeing
him, and after that he would not let
her out of his sight? He would call
her "Gretta," his darling, his ''wife, y
and beg her never to leave him again;
and Birdie would sit with her hand IN
his, soothing him. humoring his fancies,
an g-,oT-.ng paler and paler at every
word he uttered. In the early morning,
about or 3 o'clock, he would become
more quiet, and then. leaving the nurse
with him, she would come to me. 1t
was only at such times she rested at
all, and often she would not sleep, but
would lie watching the color creeping
into the. eastern sky, with quiet look
of expectation on her face, which filled
me with an indefnable sense of dread.
In vain we begged her to give up her
care of Max; In that size was determln-
ed-nothing could shake her resolution.
while he wants me l shall stay" she
would say decidedly.
The time for Claire's marriage APP
preached. We had decided to put it
off another month; but, greatly to our
establishment, Birdie argued against
this. When the doctor came she saw
him alone, and he, too, advised us to
have the wedding. Max might be i'll a
long time, he said, and it was better to
have as small family in the house as
possible, for the terrible pestilence was
launching it's death-shafts all around
us. So a week later Claire was mar
ried. Birdie was there, pale and still,
but with smile on her face, and with
loving words and kisses for our poor
beauty, whose wedding had proved so
sad after all. Alfred and Claire were
to leave Immediately; so our good-byes
We're hurried.
That night Birdie told me the truth.
She was taking the fever, and the doc
tor had said there was no chance of her
living through it. He had told her, a
week ago, that, by nursing Max, she
might save his life, but she would GER
family lose her own; and our Birdie had
answered, Il will save him if l can"
Il am glad so glad Claire is married;
l was afraid she would have to wait, :"
Birdie said to me, o! so quietly.
l begged the doctor to forbid her
watching Max, but he shook his head:
1T would do no good; she wouldn't live
any longer for it." So, for a little
while longer, sat waiting every night
for my darling, outside the door of her
murderer, as called him in my wretched
heart. One morning she was later
than usual. The doctor had been with
Max all night; he left about three, tel
ing me, as he passed me on the stair,
that Max was better; was sleepingquiet-
ly, and must not be disturbed.
-Four struck, and yet Birdie did not
come. was afraid to open the door,
so sat leaning my head ON my hand,
counting the minutes as they passed.
The birds were beginning to sing in the
chestnut tree outside. l sprung to my
feet as the door creaked slightly. The
nurse was holding it open, and l fancied
l saw tears on her wrinkled cheeks.
Birdie was standing in the doorway.
It's come now, Gracie,' she said soft
ly, as she clasped her arms about my
neck.
#
The cool October winds were blowing,
and yet Max had not left his room. He
was able to sit up all the morning, and
[ used to bring my work and sit beside
him. One clear, bright day he was sit
ting by the open window and watching
The lazily moving clouds. We did not
speak much to each other. He was too
weak, and What could l say? That
Max seemed restless; at every
sound he would glance toward the door,
md then turn away with look of pain
ID surprise. AT last he said abruptly:
Grace, why does Birdie never come to
see me? Has she quite forgotten
ne?"
was prepared for this. They had
old me l must tell him. l had thought
md planned what l should say, and
low l could think of nothing. l took
he little packet which my darling had
given me, and placed it in his hand. |
She nursed you through the fever, and |
The told me to give you this" And 50
left him. Had l told him too abrupt
y? Had I told him at all? Dare I |
20 back?
I tried the door when two hours had |
passed, but it was locked When Rob !
,rt came in, begged him to go and |
peak to Max, but before he could obey |
ne Max entered the room where we
we're. He looked ten years older, and |
lis face was inexpressibly sad. Robert |
leld out his hand to him with a few
Kindly words of congratulation upon
lis recovery.
Il mast be WELL" Max said gravely, |
4 leave tomorrow, and l want to |
hank you now for all your kindness,
When you had such reasons to hate |
ne. But believe me, never dreamed |
hat" His voice failed him, as
BRIDES canary, hanging in the |
just then trilled forth to joy
'us song. Covering his face with his |
lands, he hurried out of the room.
l am glad that, while he stayed we
we're able to be kind to him. Before |
lie left, he came to me:
Oracle, forgive me, if you can. Be-
ieve me, your angel is avenged"
l kissed his forehead, and babe him |
'God-speed." And so our cousin Max |
ropped out Of our lives forever, leav-
ng no momento of his visit, save the |
picture that hangs before me as write |
Birdie in her youth and beauty, with
he passion-fowers in her hair-only |
hat, and grave in Elmwood Gene |
cry.