The Morning herald., 1876-12-27
CORD AND CREESE.
CHAPTER XIV.
TWO LETTERS.

Nv last entry was made on the day of
the arrival of the Tecumseh at the Quar-
autine Station. Gosse Island, Quebec. We
were delayed there for tive days. Every
thing was in confusion. A large number
of ships had arrived, and all were filled
with sick. The authorities were taken by
surprise; and as no arrangements had ever
been made for such state of things the
suffering was extreme. The arrival of the
Tecumseh with her frightful record of
deaths, and with several hundred sick still
on board, completed the confusion. At
last the passengers were removed somehow,
know not how or when, for l myself on
the evening of our arrival was struck down
by the fever. | suppose that Frank Bran
don may have nursed me at first; bnt OF
that | am not sure. There was fearful
disorder. There were few nurses and fewer
doctors and as fast as the sick died they
were hurried hastely into shallow graves
in sand. was sick for two or three weeks,
and knew nothing of what was going on.
The first thing that saw on coming to my
senses was Edith Brandon.
She was fearlulIy changed. Unuterable
grief dwelt upon her sweet young face,
which also was pale and wan from the sick
ness through which she had passed. An
awful feeling shot through me. My first
question was; is your mother on shore?'
She looked at me for moment in solemn
silence, and, slowly rising her hand, point
ed upward.
"Your brother?" l gasped.
She turned her head away Twas silent.
They were dead then. God and this
chld-what had she not been suffering?
My mind at once, in its agony Of sympathy
with her, burst through the clouds which
sickness had thrown around it. Poor
childw | said. "And why are you here p
"Where else can I go?" she answered,
mournfu|ly.
E"At least, you should not wear yourself
out by my bedside"
!,"You are the only one left whom know.
| owe you far more than the small attend
auce which I have given you"
"But will you not take some rest"
"Hush Wait till you are stronger.
You are too weak now to think of these
things"
She laid her thin hand on my forehead
gently. turned my head away, and burst
into flood Of tears. Why was it that this
child was called upon to endure such agony?
Why, in the midst Of that agony, did she
come to me so save my life?
/ did not resist her any longer on that
day; but the next day l was stronger, and
made her 60 and repose herself,
For two successive days she came back.
On the third day she did not appear. The
fourth day also she was absent. Rude
nurses attended to me. They knew moth
ing of her. My anxiety inspired me with
such energy that on the fourth day ! rose
from my bed and staggered about to find
her if possible.
All was still confusion. Thousands o.
sick were on the island. The mistake o
the first week had not yet been repaired
No one knew any thing of Edith. | sough
her through ali the wards. l went to The
superintendent, and forced him to make
inquiries about her. No one could tel
any thing.
My despair was terrible. l forced th'
superintendent to call up all the nurses
and doctors, and question them all, one b.
one At last an old Irish woman, with al
awful look at me, limited that she coult
tell something about her, and whipered
Word or two in the superintendent's ear
lie started back, with a fearful glance.
What is it? Tell, in Gods name y
The dead d-house," he murmured.
Where is it? Take me there !"
cried to the woman. l clutched her arm
and staggered after her.
twas long, low shed, open on all sides
Twelve bodies lay there. In the middle
the row was Edith. She was more beauti
,al than an angel. smile wreathed he
iilps;. her eyes looked as though she slum
o!ered. l rushed up to her and caught he
IN my arms. Tae next moment l fel
senseless.
When revived was lying in one {
tie sick.sheds, with crowd Of sufferer
around me. had only one thought, an
that was Edith. I rose at once, weak an
trembling, but the resolve Of my soul gay
strength = my bQdyys "A sMiul !. fses \ Y. e =