The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-12-26

Hiss IldIOluS e1OuSiACSo lOW 1tO1
mother died this morning, and just
upon the floor I'm looking for some
one to send for doctor. .
"Allen," called Carrie, Ego for DIR.
Burton and bring him Immediately; :
then turning to she woman she asked her
to show her to Muriel's room. The wo-
man, who occupied the lower part of the
house, said she was making up the bedn
on the second floor when she heard some
thing fall, and ran up to see what could
be the matter. She found Mrs. Harding
dead upon the bed, and Muriel lying un-
conscious upon the floor.
'sThat was full five minutes ago, said
she, 'sand though I've tried everything l
could think of, ] can't bring her to.
When Carrie saw. MuriePs limp figure
and deathlike face she started, and said
in frightened whisper, "!Vhy she's
dead!''
'tOh no, miss, answered the woman;
1'but if she don't get help soon l am
afraid she will be.
Carrie pulled off her gloves, and ask
ing for some fresh water bathed the poor
white face, and applied her smelling
salts. In few seconds there were signs
of recovery. Then the dark eyes opened,
and with a frightened look at the strange
faces about her Muriel attempted to sit
up, but was too weak, and fell back upon
the bed Just then DIR. Burton's step
was heard upon the stairs. Murlel
started, trying to think why these stran-
gers were about: then sudden rush OF
memory brought back to her the terrible
event of the morning, and she tainted
again, and so DIR. Burton found them,
Carries tears raining down upon the un-
conscious face, and the woman of the
house standing helplessly by.
''Oh, Guy I'm SO glad you have
come" said Carrie, as DIR. Burton took
charge of the patient.
ssDo YOU know her, Carrier asked he,
glancing from the still face to his sisters
tear-stained one.
'.She was my drawing teacher at
Madame Neal's,'' said Carriet "the love-
lest and best liked of all our teachers.
Her mother lies dead in the other room.
There has been only these two for many
years. Miss Muriel's love for her
mother was wonderful, and I am afraid
this trouble will kill her. Oh, Guy, let
us take her home with us, please"
DIR. Burton looked thoughtful for a
second, and then said, esAnnie is at
Madame Sigund's, is she not ?"
eyes"
.sRun up there and tell her to drive
home and prepare for our coming, and
do you come back and help me here. y
But few seconds suffced to bring the
poor girl to. consciousness again, and
when Carrie returned she found her
lying with eyes closed and great tears
rolling down the pale cheeks. Though
the sight was pitiful, Carrie was glad to
see the tears, for she knew they must be
the first ones she had shed, and would
be relief to the overburdened heart
Kneeling down, she gently put hel
arms around her, and kissed the trem
bling eyelids, saying softly, fDear Miss
Muriel."
Muriel opened her eyes and looked
wistfully in her face.
'sDon't you know me, dear; don't you
remember Carrie Burton %
.sLittle Carrie, my pet and comfort
once before when was in trouble p
eyes, dearie, said Carrie, kissing hel
again; little Carrie, come to love and
comfort you in this trouble, too. Guy
is making arrangements for the mother,
and then you are going home with us to
be nursed and petted until you get well. =
But Muriel bursting into sobs said,
ssThere is no one to get well for now,
mother was my all. y
'Nay, my friend, said Carrie, .God
has not taken her from you entirely; she
is yours to love and live for still, only
removed to another and better place,
where there is no room for pain and
tears"
Muriel put her arm around Carries
neck, and Carrie, gently smoothing her
hair, let her cry on, knowing it would do
her good. DR.. Burton returned to say
that he had obtained the necessary help
for the sad work to be performed, and to
announce the return of the carriage.
Carrie wrapped MurieIs shawl about
her, and tied her own soft scarf over her
head. Muriel attempted to rise, but at
the first step would have fallen had not
DIR. Burton caught her. Seeing she was
too weak to walk he took her in his arms
and carried her down stairs, placing her
in the carriage, where Carrie heaped the
cushions and pillows Mrs. Cary had sent
about her, making her as comfortable as
possible. With a few last words to the
woman of the house concerning the dis
posal of the corpse, DR.. Burton took his
seat beside the coachman and drove
olOWly lO1lG. A6 1k0 l11bcu HEX 1IOll blC
carriage Muriel threw out her hands to-
ward Carrie, and gasping some unintel-
igible words, tainted for the third time
that morning. DIR. Burton carried
her rapidly into the house and placed
her upon the bed prepared for
her, and for three days and nights
they watched anxiously and constantly,
to avert if possible the fever that seemed
determined to lay hold upon her. DR..
Burton tried his skill to the utmost, and
the third night announced to the anxious
sisters that he thought with careful nurs-
ing they might bring her through with
out the fever they feared coming upon
her. 1t was the evening of the sixth day
since Muriel had been brought helpless
to the house, when Carrie burst out of
her room, and waylaying her brother in
the hall, threw her arms about his neck
with:
.'Guy, darling. she is just crazy, clean
distracted; go use your authority imme-
diately; tell her she is lunatic to think
of such thing, and Carrie stopped from
lack of breath.
s'Who is crazy? Think of what thing?
am not sure but you are the one dis
tracted, said DIR. Burton, laughing.
Why, Muriel, to-be sure; here she is,
hardly able to walk across the floor alone,
and she talks of getting to work again,
and not troubling us with her presence
any longer" then pleadingly, "Guy,
you II make her stay, won't your"
Guy took the excited face in his two
hands, exclaiming, What! tears, actu
ally?" then kissing the pouted lips he
said, s'We'n see, pet, !" and with that dis
inside the door. The lights