Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-10-08

of her fathers house sewing and sing
ing. Every few moments she would
take from the folds of her dress a small
miniature and look fondly at the tea'
lures delineated there.
Nelly, my child, said her mother
while the blushing girl thrust back the
likeness just as her mother saw it,
Come here and look oyer the way
There, what does it mean? Some poor
creature either tipsy or SICK
1T won't harm us to go and see,' re-
piled Nelly, her gaze growing sadly in
tent; it may be somebody's mother,
you know; and poor creature, even II
she had been drinking-'
But Nelly was out before she had fin
ished the sentence, across the street,
and as rapidly back again.
Mother, she cried, all out of BREATH
who do you think, what do you think
it is Franks own mother. D, dear!'
and she began to cry, 1t makes me
feel wretchedly to see her so, for she
must be very sick indeed. There don't
seem to be any life IN her; and she's as
white, whittier than these curtains
Mrs. Saunders hurried across with hel
daughter, The poor woman was slight
ly recovering. She raised her hand
muttering:
'Don't, don't, Tim, we've SO poorly
now. 'anJ again the head and hand drop
ped.
That night when Abel came home,
before his quick, heavy tread sounded on
the door, Nellyran noiselessly forward
with her finger on her lip. She led him
softly into the little kitchen and point
ed 10 the slumbering woman.
He leaned over the insensible form,
and then turning to Nelly said;
Go after Doctor James-tell him It's
a case of life and death that woman Is
sicker than you or know. Then hur-
ry and let Tim know; he must be wor-
riea by this time, If she has been here
since morning. But above all, send
the doctor she's sick woman
Nelly was soon in the streets, and
after her mission 10 the DOCTORS, who
was fortunately at home, she almost
flew to Tins little house, where she saw
Frank and his father in awful anxiety.
She told them all, and in moment
Frank was ready to go, but Tim stood
staring at his son as though he could
not or would not comprehend. After
Frank had gone, however, he snatched
up his hat and mutterng, left the house.
Notwithstanding bis harsbness and Of
ten ill-nature he was not withouq love
for his wife. And though he chose to
say little though he was boiling over
with hate for his rival, though he swore
fearfully that be would never step toot
over Abe Saunders threshold, he could
not keep his feet from that direction, but
paced repeatedly by, feeling as If he
should be warned in case of real dan
ger.
Meanwhile the physician had been
there, and just as Frank and Nelly ar"
rived was leaving the house. AS he
passed along the street a darK'look'ng
man IN 4 slouched hat touched him on
the arm,
Excuse me- he said, but l thought
maybe you was the doctor called to tend
a woman IN yonder house.
lam answered the physician, what
do you want of me:'
'How is the woman? Is she likely to
be sick?'
Likely to be sick! repeated the DOC
tor. looking at Tim; for something in
The mans manner arrested his atten'
tion. IF find her living tomorrow
at shutdown l shall be more astonished
than am apt TO be: Why man it''
congestion of the brain she's danger
ous.'
Tim waited to hear no more, but
walked straight up to Abe's cottage
door. where Abel stood himself, with q
kindly look in his honest eyes, at which
Tim never looked.
My wife is sick here. I'm sorry
she's sick here he said, but we cant
have everything to our liking Where
is she?'
Without saying word Abel led Tin
to his wife. Katy Saunders had passed
an arm under the head of the sufferer
while with the other hand she was Law
ing the forehead with some coo2lng NIX
ture. The bed was snowy white clean
neat curtains, looped back, were its on
ly ornameut-but over all was thrown
an air of grace and puriety.
Nelly stood at the side of the bed' Of
rather leaning upon one elbow, the tip
of her fingers buried in her beautliu
cheek, slowly tanning the poor, sicl
creature and upon her face was i'm
printed much delicate solicitude. Franl
sat near, holding his mothers hand.
The whole scene nearly overcom
poor Tim. especially when Nelly cam
noiselessly forw ard with a cushion an
placing It in the old armchair, and draw
ing that up to the bed, beckoned him t
sit down with 80 sweet and filisl an air
For three days they hung over wha
bid fair 10 be the death bed Of Matt
) Fuller; but with so good a physical
; ms kind Doctor James, and such sklllti
nursing as Katy's and her daughter
the malady gave way. In a week Ma
Z ty was slowly recovering.
20, Tim, dear, seems to me I'll ne'
t.to