The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-02

"How long DR.. Birch has stayed" said
she, presently.
He was silent.
"Is he oulv gone now?
Now at that moment the good doctor
was comfortably ensconced in Johns own
easy chair by the fireside in the library,
with pair Of Johns own slippers on his
feet. He had expected this in the morn
ing, and made his arrangements accord
ingly. Mrs. Tresham was dangerously
ill.
The fever did not increase rapidly; it
rather appeared TO gain ground with in
sidious, unseen footsteps. ....
She was not exactly worse; she was
certainly not better.
The white bar came little farther
into the mouth.
DR. Birch breathed more freely.
"lf we can but keep it there" he said.
"lf we can prevent it going down the
throat again, we shall do"
Alas it crept round to the other side.
"Poor dear J0hnI poor dear fellow !!
Dear! Dearl Dear! Dearl Oh, how sad,
how sadl must and will go to him di-
rectly. Showing? What if it is? can
not get wet in a railway carriage; and
what if I did, either? Dear me, if the
line should be blocked! But it only
came an hour ago. Ring the bell, dear,
please. Oh, Marshall, poor Mrs. Tresham
is so much worse, so alarmingly worse
1t is dreadful! quite dreadful! and l am
going off to her at once"
What is the Use of your going off at
once? Indeed, | can't see any good in
your going at all. If you must 60, wait
till Tomorrow" pronounced. ir Walter,
in his sleepy, selfish way, chipping off
the shell OF his egg as he spoke, and ex-
amining it with The eye Of eonnoisseur.
"What good will your going do any
body? And in such atrocious weather.
tooP'
"My dear! but you do not consider
what you are saying. 1t is true l might
be of little Use, at least l could entertain
the doctor, and"
"Ha! hap laughed her husband. $50
you 60 to entertain the doctor"
at would release dear John, would al
low him to devote himself entirely to
his-oh, I can not bear to think of itw
cried the kind creature. 'AYho knows
what may be happening what may have
actually taken place by this time? How
could I not 60? How could I answer it
to my own conscience if that poor dear
child were to die"
"Nonsensel Who talks of dying?
have put yourself into an altogether un-
necessary ferment, Adelaide. There is
not a word of dying in the letter. Be-
sides, if it were as bad as that, you would
be most certainly de trop,' and would
wish yourself back here again."
"It might he n little comfort to him.
And John never makes me feel de
trop.'"
"Well, we'll, dare say not. But don't
let us nave any more fuss. Drink your
tea, my dear, and think it over; there
is an abundance of time"
The tea was drank, but scarcely was
the last drop tasted, ere she broke forth
again.
''Such perfect marrage Everything
so suitable! A charming creature, 50
clever! Poor John! Poor, dear John!
Who could have ever foreseen an ending
like this"
"Adelaide, do, for PHYS sake, not set
up that dolcful cry again" Sir Walter
grew quite testy. elbow can'I enjoy my
chop, or toast, or anything, whilst you
are making such din? l like my break
fast to be pleasant meal; it ought not
to be disturbed by disagreeables."
"But my love-"
Lady Adelaide, a pattern wife, was
perplexed how to express herself.
The door was opened and hot dish
was brought to Sir Walters elbow.
Muffin? all! Nice and brown, too.
The sort of day to eat na,ffins on, as
somebody says somewhere. Have some
muffin, my dear, while it is hot, and let
us hear no more Of this just now. Thefe
will be another letter tomorrow. and q
better account, we will hope"
Gas if conld wait till to-morrow! It
is diphtheria, my dear, dipththeria! The
m'st shockingly fatal complaint. All!
how little we thought"
r "Well, this is most provoking l
thought we had done with it at last, and
now you begin it all over again. How
can YOU set yourself to be so unpleasant,
Adelaide? One would think you did it
it on purpose. Here is everything nice
and comfortable, just as it ought to be,
and Pm not to be allowed to enjoy it. If
/ can not have peace and quiet at my
meals, l would rather go without food al
together"
II assure YOU / am really very sorry,
my dear Pray take another cup, such
good tea, and the pot is quite full. And
Marshall, be SO good as to look up Brad
shaw at once, and let me know which is
the very first train l can catch to Stoke
Pennington"
"You are really goingT Sir Walter
raised his eyebrows.
There was no doubt about her going.
Bells rang, maids hurried hither and
thither. Marshall received a summons
every five minutes; and my lady, dis