The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-02-13


ance is feverish."
Anything serious 2"
~ hope not, the mother answe red,
but [ always like TO take those things
in time.n
DR.. Hart leaned over Clarence's little
crib. He involuntarily uttered the
name Of some malignant type of fever,
just then raging in the city.
IL wish that you had sent for ms be-
fore, fear that it is too late to secure
the exemption of your little ones. But
with constant care we may save the lit
tie fellow. You have good nurse?"
IAN excellent one. | can trust Ma
talia as | would myself"
"You are fortunate" said the doctor.
He had acarcely closed the door, when
Natalia came to her mistress.
my month expires tomorrow, mad.
am; will you pay me my wages, and let
me take my departure at once ?"
But, Natalia, the baby is sick"
cones first duty is to ones self ; |
would not risk the infection for twice
what you pay me-"
And Natalia packed her trunk and
departed without coming into the nur-
sery to bid little Clarence goodbye.
The cook was next TO give warning.
Matilda, the laundress took herself off
without any preliminary ceremony.
81 am going, too" said the seam
stress. MRS. ArnOtt wouldn't have
lifted her finger if weed been dying,
and believe in doing to Others as they
do to me-"
And almost before she knew it, the
stricken mother was left alone by the
bedside of her suffering babe. Neigh
bors crossed on the other side of the
street like the Priests and Levites of
old friends contented themselves with
sending in to inquire; even hired nurses
avoided the malignant fever,
"ls there no one to help me ?' she
moaned, wringing her white jeweled
hands together "Have all pity and
womanly sympathy died out of the
world ?"
A slight noise caused her to turn,
and Kathleen O'Neil was at her side,
busy arranging the table.
81 thought you too, had gone, Kath-
leen ~ she cried.
"Sure, ma'am, what should | be 60
ing for 2" asked Kathleen, simply, land
the bits Of children sick, and you in sore
trouble | uursed the little brothers
and sisters at home, and know just
what needs to be done"
And she took little Clarence in her
arms with soft tenderness that went
to the mothers heart.
care you not afraid, Kathleen 7"
"What should be afraid of, ma'am?
Isn't Gods sky over us all, whether
it's the green banks of Ireland, or the
church steeple of this great, confusing
city? Oh, ma'am, he'll not take that
bOnny baby from u.s."
All Mrs. Arnott's children had the
fever-last of all she was Frustrated by
it-and Kathleen watched over every
one, faithful, true and tender.
Kathleen" Mrs. Arnott said, the
first day she sat up, the Irish girl ar
ranging the pillows about her wasted
form, "Oh, Kathleen, | don't deserve
this.n
''Sure, ma'am, if we all had our de-
serts in this world, lisa sorry place it
would be, I'm thinking" laughed
Kathleen.
But, Kathleen, l was cruel to you-
so PERFECTLY heartless!"
"We won't talk of it ma'am, DEAR"
said Kathleen evasively.
"But, say just once that you forgive
ME ?" pleaded the lady once so haugh-
ty.
81 forgive you, ma'am, as free as the
sunshine" Kathleen answered softly.
And you'll stay with me always and
be my friend, Kathleen pn
"lf God wills it ma'am."
And Mrs. Arnott put her lips to kiss
the fresh, cool cheeks of Irish Kath-
leen.
The years that have passed since then
have made men and women of the little
people that Kathleen nursed tnSough
the fever, and strangers visiting Mrs.
Arnott scarcely know what to make of
the plump, comely, middle aged woman
who moves about the house apparently
as much at home in it as the mistress
herself-who is consulted about every
thing, that is trusted with all secrets.
''ls she housekeeper, or servant, or
relative ?' some one once asked.
Mrs, Arnott replied. ''She is my
true and trusted friend, Kathleen
O'Neil.n