The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-01-30


Doctor" " saidhe, ''Im worse.
"Your constitution is weaker, / ad-
NIT" returned Forbush, &C. but you'll
soon get over that, and at the same time
you'll be recovering from your strange
malady. Your journey hither has some
what upset you"
Il knew it would, and L told Pottsdam
so,' uttered Bradley, as he turned heav-
lily on his pillow. But won't die if 1
can help it."
Another day passed, and he was utter
ly unable to sit up in bed. There was
no pain in his system, nor did he feel
much sickness at the stomach-but
general debility, a total weakness, and
utter want of appetite had possessed
him. The doctor examined his tongue,
should have nurse, and that with care
he would soon be well. Had the invalid
been stronger, he might have cursed the
doctor and cursed the journey, but he
was too weak to feel any such emotions,
and with commendable docility he re-
resigned himself to his fate.
That forenoon the promised nurse was
introduced to him, under the simple,
musical name of Mary Holworth. She
was somewhere about nineteen, light
and graceful as fairy, with face radi-
ant and lovely, all beaming with smiles
and roguish dimples, her hair flowing in
soft, sunlit curls, and her eyes of that
peculiarly rich hazel that seems bot
tomless fount of melting, sparkling
light. The patient was startled to new
life for moment by this lovely presence,
but he soon sank back upon his pillow,
and gazed at her with half-vacant
meaningless look, as she moved about
the room. Richard was directed to re-
quest the presence of the doctor or one
of his students whenever he desired and
thus were matters arranged for his treat
ment.
A week passed away, but the invalid
grew no stronger. Mary almost antici-
pated his every wish, as with the care
and tenderness of sister she hovered
about his couch. The light of her happy
smiles, and the music of her sweet voice
made paradise of the sick chamber, and
at length Richard seemed to notice it for
when, after an absence of half an hour,
she would re-enter the room, his coun-
tenance would brighten up, and a soft
look of gratitude would beam forth from
his eyes.
I" Mary said he one day, after he had
become able, by the aid of bolster and
two pillows, to retain sitting position,
methinks one with such sweet voice
as yours should be able to sing"
80, 1 can sing, sir. Would it please
you to hear me Y''
By heavens - exclaimed the inva-
lid, with more earnestness than he had
evinced for weeks, "you are the first
woman ever saw who didn't have a
cold when music was on the docket"
1t must be strange fatality indeed
that imparts colds so easily,'' returned
Mary, with smile. "I 1t appears to me
that should not wish to hear one sing
who had very bad cold; and, on the
other hand, if they pretended to have
colds when they had them not, the pal
pable falsehood would make their music
distasteful. But if you would like lit
tie music, sir, win get my harp"
"Get it, and sing to me,' said Rich
ard, and after she had gone, he murmur-
| ed to himself: Qe
May never get off from this bed, if
that isn't the first sensible girl 1 ever
saw" and so saying he fell into fit of
deep meditation.
In few minutes Mary returned with
her harp, and having swept her fingers
over the strings for a moment, ,sheb began
to warble forth a sweet song. The rich
melody of her voice filled the room with
its melting cadence, until it seemed to
the sick man as though he dwelt in an
atmosphere of celestial music.
" Morel more Sing again, y he muir
INJURED, as the maiden ended her song.
Again and again she sang, and when
at length she laid her harp aside, Rich
ard regarded her with such strange
look, that she blushed and turned away
towards the window.
s. Mary said the young man, you
must sing TO me often. You will, won't
/ you2n p
! Yes she replied, in half-hushed
voice, st win either sing for you or
read to you, for Doctor Forbush says 1t
would help to relieve your mindn