Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-27
CONTINUED from First Page.

NV mlnU. Sttklll1 Oiti rbiht Nluo iVi e'iN
in this possible extremity, fastened upon
speech made by one of my neighbors at
the time of Bert's death You ought to
have called in DR.. Wilde of Winport, Mrs
Rivers he has wonderful skill in throat
diseases and can save life if mortal can.
gave the girl some simple directions
about the child and went out, determined
to bring DIR. Wilde. Winport was five
miles away. BY one of those accidents
which often seem to make an anxious heart
the prev to cruelty of circumstances, a fun
eral was in progress in the village and no
horse or carriage could be procured with
out long delay | started to walk, I'M
daunted by the long. snowy way. felt
no personal discomfort. My mind was at
first preternaturally alive to thought and
observation. The sky was wildly blue.
flecked by soft. fleecy white clouds which
travelled slowly on, driven by mild west
wind the sun cleaned upon the crusted
snow on the hill-sides, where strong. hap
pv children in bright winter garments
were coasting. heard their glad cries
and laughter and blithe talk. After Il
time, however. grew dulled by the mo-
notonous crunch of the snow beneath my
feet: lifetime seemed to have passed
since started out. I remembered my
sick child with deadly pang. expert
enced the need of prayer. yet felt power
less to break the eternal silence which
seemed to envelop me. isolating me from
any blessed assurance that there was any
where in this wide, voiceless universe Be-
ing who had interest or concern in me.
Was it possible for any plea of mine to
propitiate, to implore, to compel a mira
Gle ? tried to utter some simple form of
supplication but | could think of nothing.
! was dazed and blinded by the sun upon
the snow: it was hard to make rapid head
way; the snow was deep end soft on the
comparatively unbroken path, and my feet
slid treacherously back, giving me double
distance to overcome. Long before
reached Winport | supported my strength
only by the supremest effort, feeling my
limbs refuse to do my bidding rs in a hor-
ribe nightmare.
1t was four O'Clock when | reached the
town. was directed to DR.. Wildc's
house As neared it IA gentleman sprang
from sleigh and ran hastily up the steps.
He turned and saw me Just as he was fit
ting his key in the door. had paused on
the stones, and meeting my look he seemed
stditici aiit SuS't at W ith Sio'' -
tiny.
'.Do you want me o. he asked in the
kindest voice in the world Il am DR..
Wilde He descended the steps and put
his hand ON my shoulder Twas braced to
endure loneliness and his touch unnerved
me. | burst into passion of weeping.
Little Alice is sick. | gasped.
"Where do YOU live?"
II
He gave quick direction to the man in
the sleigh to change the horses at once,
then with a strong hand he led me into the
house and set me in chair before the fire.
You walked those five miles. said he.
Let me see your feet. know they are
wet"
He rang the bell then stripped off my
shoes and stockings, rubbed my feet and
held them up to the blaze. The house
keeper entered, and he sent her for dry
gear and babe her put soup and wine on the
table. Then he said to me:
1t is your sister who is sick, suppose.
What is the matter with her?''
II am Mrs. Rivers. Alice is my baby.
Bert died three weeks ago of terrible
throat: and now little Alice has the same
symptoms. Oh" cried. sliding down on
the floor and clasping my hands about his
knees. won't YOU come and save her. DIR.
Wilde | couldn't live you see. without
Baby. She is all have left. Never mind
me. Come at once. If Baby dies-oh.
DIR. Wilde. if Baby dies My voice had
risen into shrek: | could not control it,
He lifted me and put me back into the
chair
IN do all can" he answered briefly.
''Come. Martha, put those shoes and
stockings on her feet at once: the bigger
they are. the better. Now. then, bring
that bowl of soup He put a napkin I'M
der my chin. "Open your mouth he said,
yood-humoredly.
II don't want any cant swallow it. |
cried, feverishly. Don't lose time, Dr.
Wilde
You must obey me, unless you want to
lose more time he said with authority.
opened my lips, and he fed me as if
had been the merest child. Then slipped
glass of wine, whilst he hastily ate and
drank
Bring my fur cloak he said to the
servant; and wrapping me in it, DIR. Wilde
took me in his arms and carried me out to
the sleigh, jumped in beside me and
snatched the reins from the man who got
up behind.
"Now, child" said he, tell me all you
know about Miss Baby
''He questioned me sharply concerning
every symptom in Bert's case.
"IIow old was the boy ?'' he asked.
Pour years and three months
Good Cod he calculated, staring
hard at me. ''lIow old are you?'
IL shall be twenty-three next June ?"
Where is your husband?'
HE was drowned in Winport Bay last
July"
''You don't mean to say YOU are the |
widow of Thomas Macy Rivers" he ex-
with startled look "Why, |
have been advertising for you in the New
y Ork papers for three weeks know Mrs. |
Falconer intimately, Mrs. Rivers"
The horse had flown like the wind we
had already reached my house. DIR. Wilde
took me up and carried me to the door.
$50 to another room and change YOUR
Dress said he. Don't come near the
child until you are dry and warm from top
to toe
When had obeyed his instructions. I
found him sitting by the fire with baby
Alice on his lap. The little head. with its
mischievous brown eyes (Tom's eyes) and