New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-09
hEK ORLEANS REPUBL1eAN,=s SUNDAY NoVEMBER g. fsTs
we're cold and che was shaking from

.-..=........z..G.1ae. !. =.
hands we're cold and che was shaking from
head to foot a'- 's7 - '
my poor little pet, what is it9" asked
anxiOusly. Never shall forget the pit.
eous eyes she turned on me.
Oracle, Oracle. he only liked me because
| I resembled her."
| ., my darling a mothers eyes might
have seen the truth and saved you, but
let you drift into this bitter love without
| one word Of warning.
The next day Birdie never left my side.
| refusing, greatly to the establishment of
| Max, all his invitations to walk or read
with him. To do him justice, l do not
| think he guessed the mischief he bad done.
Birdie had seemed to us such a child, we
never thought Of the strength and depth of
her character. Her sunny, happy nature
had been enough for u.s. and we looked no
further.
Robert and Max went away for few DAYS
} together, and when they returned Max
seemed feverlsh and excita BILE. By night he
was much worse, and the doctor very soon
pronounced that he had the fever When
Birdie heard that he was in danger she in
sisted upon seeing him, and after that he
would not let her OFT OF his sight He would
call her "Greta," his darling" his "wite.,
and beg her never to leave him again; and
Birdie would sit with her hand in his, sooth-
ing MIN, humorlng his Tancies, and growing
paler and paler at every word he uttered
In the early morning, about two or three
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 rot sleep,
but would lie watching the color creep into
the eastern sky, with quiet look of ex-
pectatlon on her face, which filled me with
an lndehnable sense OF dread In vain we
begged her to give up her care of Max; in
that she was misunderstanding could
shake her resolution. While he wants me
l shall stay" she would say decidedly
The time for Claire's marriage ap-
preached. We had decided to put it off |
another month, but greatly to our astonish-
ment, Birdie argued against this. When |
the doctor came she saw him alone, and he. |
too, advised us to have the wedding. Max |
might be Ill for 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 week later Claire was married. |
Birdie was there, pale and still, but with a |
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 were hurried.
That night Birdie told me the truth She
"eSS enhAA6 tAC ACNCIs duu tue OUcCoF UaC
SAID there was no chance for her living
through it. He had told her week ago
by nursing Max she might save his life, but
she would certainly lose her own, and our
Birdie had answered, Il will save him ii
can"
81 am so glad Claire is married; was
afraid she would have to watt" Birdie said
TO me, oh! SO quietly.
begged the doctor to forbid her watch.
ng Max, but he shook his head: 1T would
10 no good; she wouldn't live any longer
or it" &c. for a little while longer. | sat
waiting every night for my darling. outside
he door OF her murderer, as l called him |
n my wretched heart One morning she
vas later than usual The doctor had been
With Max all night; he left about three,
cling me, as ne passed me on the stair,
hat Max was better, was sleeping quietly
must not be disturbed
Four struck and yet Birdie did not come. 4
was AFRAID to open the door, SO sat lean ,,
az my head on my hand, counting the
minutes as they passed The birds were ,
eginnlng to sing in the chestnut tree out i.
lde; ! sprung to NY feet as the door
reaked slightly. The nurse was holding ,
open and l fancied l saw tears on her
'rlnkled cheeks. Birdie was standing in .
he door way. "It's come now, Oracle"
ne SAID softly, as she clasped her arms =
bout my neck.
The cool October winds were blowing, | .
nd yet Max had not left his room He =
as able to sit up all the morning, and l q.
sed 10 bring my work and sit beside him, Il
ne clear. bright day he was sitting by the b
pen window and watching the lazily :,
owing clouds We did not speak much to %
lch other. He was too weak. and what z
'uld say! That morning Max seemed i
stless; at every sound he would glance =
ward the door. and then turn away with "
look OF panied surprise. At last he said -
'ruptly: Grace, why does Birdie never :,
me to see me! Has she quite forgotten | =
ell I
was prepared for this. They had told a. :"
9 l must tell him. l had thought and %
aimed what l should say, and now could ~ ~
ink OF nothing. took the little packet >.
1ich my darling had given me. and placed -
in his hand. ''She nursed you through :,
q fever, and she told me to give YOU this" -
I'd so left him. Had l told him too all a. a.
Ply Had told him at all Z Dare go AZ
tried the door when two hours had W.
ssed, but was locked. When Robert %
ne in, begged him TO 90 and speak to W, W.
*, but before he could ODE. me. Max en- se
ed the room where we were. He looked =. ~
years older, aud his face was inexpress. oi
= sad. Robert held out his hand TO him 81 ~.
n few kindly words of congratula1ion -
on his recovery. 20
1 mast be WELL" Max said gravelv. II III III
We Tomorrow. and l want to thank YOU In'
Y for all your kindness, when YOU had ~ ~,
h reason 10 hate me. Bnt. believe me. | ~
'er dreamed that -" His voice failed a ass
}, as Brides canary, hanging in the DO 10.
dow. just then thrilled forth its ioyous u oo-
G: Covering his face with his hands, he tnr
med out OF the room. ~
am glad that. while he STAYED we were &c
e to be kind to him Before he left. ne liz LIZ
le to me: az
Oracle, forgive me, if you can. Believe ne nc
your angel is avenged" -"
kissed his forehead, and babe him God ~ ~
I'd. And SO our cousin Max dropped s .Iiu
OF our lives forever, leaving no memen- CO. a.;
his visit. save the picture that hangs 49,. ~
IRE me as write-Birdie in her youth n.,
beauty. with the passion flowers in her a aT
only that, and grave in Greenwood ~
Age
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