The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-05-02

|
Il great deal.
Since "that honid Mr. Barnes" had been
dismissed, Fannie had changed, and the
change was visible to all the family. Not
that she mopcd or was blue. She laughed,
and sang, and danced, as much as ever
but all her childishness and kitten like
freshness was gone, and in its place came
Il slight touch Of womanlincss and dignity
infinitely more charming; at least, Mr..
Barnes, watching her from distance,
thought So. He had not given her up. No
power on earth could make him do that
until she gave herself to some one else, and
| yet, considering her personal appearance
and advantages, and his own LONELINESS,
| aWkardncss, and age, it is strange that the
man did not despair. 1t seemed is if he
knew he had the power to make her love
him in spite Of all, if he had the chance.
1t came at last.
Mrs. McAllistcr and her eldest daughter
sailed for Europe, with party of friends,
| leaving Fannie to keep house. Fannie
was delighted with housekeeping, and she
and her father had IL merry time of it for II
few days. Then he was taken sick, he
grew rapidly worse, and Fannie, at first as
| tonished ut the queer things he said. found
that he was dclirious. The doctor came,
examined his patient, and said: Fannie,
| may as well tell you the truth your faith
err has TIE smallpox"
Now, Fannie WAS mortal, and besides
that, she was woman, and tremblod to
hear her father had that most loathsomc
| disease; but she had no idea of leaving
her father to the care ofhircd nurses, and
asked for the doctors directions with
composure that showed that she could com
mand herself very well.
"Doctor, who is sick in that house 2"
Doctor Ives turned as he was stepping
into his buggy, and saw "that horrid Mr..
Barnes T.
"Oh . is that you, Mr.. Barnes Why
the squirc's sick got the smallpox, and
nobody to take care of him but Fannie,
poor little thing. | 90 not believe | can
get Il nurse for him before tomorrow 2
as that so Then will go and do what
| can until the nurse comes"
CHATS good fellow. No one will go
near Fannie when they hear what disease it
is. It's dcuced hard but it's the way of
the world, and tell you, Barnes, before
you 60, that it's Il very bad case"
81 do not mind. | have nothing to lose;
and everything to gain he added, under
his breath.
"Well, good-by," and the doctor drove
off,
Mr.. Barnes walked up squire McAllis-
tcrs steps, and rang the bell. He told the
girl, who did not know him, that he wan
ted to see Miss Fannie, and Fannie telling
the girl to remain with her father, reluc.
family went down to the parlor. There
stood that horrid Mr. Barnes She held
out her hand, and burst into tears, but, as
he took her hand in his, she hastily with
drew it, saying, "You must not stay here,
Mr.. Barnes !"
miss Fannie said Mr.. Barnes, "the doc
tor told me about your father, and | mean
to help you to take care Of him. | have
seen many cases of smallpox and know
just what to do"
"Oh he is SO sick !" sobbcd poor Fan.
ME, and don't know what TO do"
"Oi course you don't know. poor child ~
Mr. Barnes longcd to take Fannie in his
arms, and comfort her. Fannie, will you
trust your father to me 2"
Fannie looked up. She had never seen
"that horrid Mr.. Barnes" look so WE'LL
There was something so tender in his voice
and eyes; something so manly and reliable
about him, that Fannie said impulsively
81 would trust you with everything, only
it seems so selfish"
Don't think that, Miss Fannie. | must
90 now, but will be back in an hour"
Fannie went back to her fathers room,
with a heart little lightened Of its load.
She would have some one now upon whom
to depend; but her heart sank again rs
she looked upon her father tossing and
moaning in dclirium.
"Will he die z" she asked Mr.. Barnes,
when he returned.
81 cannot tell" he said eve are all in
Gods hands, Miss Fannie" but she saw
he looked very grave. She watched him
as he moved about the room and attended
to some little things for her fathers COM
fort, and when the doctor came, he had en-
gagged nurse the next night; he talked in
low tones with Mr.. Barnes, and said good
night to her, and then left. 1t all seemed
like a dream to Fannie. She could hardly
believe that it really was "that horrid Mr..
Barnes" who was now bathing her fathers
head so tenderly. Mr.. Barnes came to her
side.
"Miss Fannie, you must lie down. You
are worn out and need rest
81 cannot leave my father"
Trust him to Inc, Miss Fannie. | will
watch HIM every moment"
Mr. Barnes smiled, but his voice was
firm, and Fannie went. She cried again as
she looked down on her father; but she
was thoroughly exhausted, and throwing
herself ON her bed, she fell fast asleep.
Mr. Barnes watched alone through the
night, but when Fannie came in the next
morning there was no change There he
lay, moaning, and tossed, and raved for
seven days and nights, and then, without
one moments consciousness to speak 10
Fannie, Squire McAllistcr died.
Fannie was utterly Frustrated. II was
"that horrid Mr., Barnes" who saw to every
thing. Fannie went to the doctors to re-
main until her mother and sister returned.
They had been telegraphed for and were
expected home in Il few weeks. Mr.. Barnes
did not call. He see led to have dropped
out of her life again. Her mother and sis
ter came home. 1t was II sad meeting.
Squire McAllster had been devoted hus
baud and father, and they all felt his loss.
"But, Fannie" said Miss McAllister, one
day, "did none of our friends offer to help
to take care of father, or do anything to AS
sist you2"
mo one, said Fannie, "but Mr.. Barnes y
"What? "that horrid Mr. Barncs!' eX
claimed Miss McAllster.
"Never call him that again." said Fan
ME springing to her feet, the color rushing
to her cheeks, and the tears to her eyes.