The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-12-11
would be better for the patient. Talk

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ing excites him."
Miss Debby Indignantly remained at
her post, but condescended to keep
silence.
"What kind of a fellow is that hired
man of yours-Seth, meanP" inquired
the Doctor.
"Rather stupid, but faithful in the
extreme" replied Emily.
Wouldn't fall asleep at his post if he
sat up three nights runningP"
81 think not"
"Then have him sent for at once"
Seth appeared-a huge man who had
the faculty of moving like mouse.
"You are not to take your eyes off this
man one moment until six O'Clock to-
morrow morning. If you see any
change in him, come for me at once
Miss Emily will watch while you are alb
sent" And the Doctor, having mixed
his medicines and prepared his band
ages, pinned long list of directions on
Seth's coat, and prepared to take his
departure.
"Do you think he will hve?" in
quired Emily, following the Doctor into
the hall.
"Tell you better tomorrow. The
crack in the skull amt so much as the
hurt in the temple. Much depends on
the nursing'
"S'posin' the furr1ner should die in
the night" shuddered Seth, who was as
timid as he was huge. Emily smiled.
81 will sit up, too. should not sleep
if was in bed.'
No change was detected in the condi-
ton of the patient during the night.
He was quiet and delirious by turns.
Emily slept at intervals. Seth obeyed
the Doctors orders literally, never dar-
ing to move an inch from the bedside.
In the morning the Doctor pronounced
him better, but not out of danger.
Emily felt strange interest in the
sick man. She was filled with anxiety
if she left him if for ever so short time.
She cared for him with sisterly ten
derness, and though he seemed uncon-
scious of every thing else around him,
he was evidently soothed by her pres
ence and missed her sorely if she was
not always near to minister to his wants.
He would take his medicine from no
hand but hers, and still, at times, the
mere sight of her face would set him
into the widest excitement, and he
would rave about some mysterious she
in the widest and most incoherent man.
ner.
"What if he amt good, m your folks
don't git no pay fur his keep m nus.
sinp" said Seth, meditatively, on the
third day of his illness.
Emily had just entered the room, and
was standing by the bedside.
Hush, Seth! How dare you talk like
thatP" she said, her eyes flashing with
indignation.
"You don't even know his name,
anyhow. Jones, over to the hotel, says
lis registered Black, or suthin' like
that, he couldn't tell, It was SIGH blind
writin'."
The sick man had opened his eyes,
and was looking Emily full in the face.
The fever seemed to have left him for a
time, and his gaze was calm and intelli-
gent. Emily started and grew deadly
pale. What was there in those eyes
which awakened so many memories,
which brought back the old days with
such thrillP sJoe," she half whis-
pered, with stiff, white lips.
6 Emily, dearest can you ever forgive
mep Say that you will do so. 1 went
away because thought you were going
to cast me off and marry John Foster.
They said sou And then his mind
commenced to wander again, and, in
broken sentences, Emily detected the
sound of Kate Sawyer's name. But he
held her hand in close clasp, and fin
ally fell into a quiet sleep in this posi-
ton, and if she tried to withdraw the
hand held so closely in his own, he
would move uneasily and grasp it all
the tighter.
Seth, whose ears, eyes, and mouth
had been wide open during
the whole scene, came near
falling head first into the fire
which he was mending, so overcome
was he, SO weak had he grown with
amazement. He Immediately thought
of some pressing errand which would
take him to the village store, and before
nine o'clock that night there was hardly
person in the whole town who wasn't
aware that Joe Ashton was the man
who was i'll at the house of the Widow
Rollins.
The next day, in tripped Kate SAWYER,
all smiles and cordially, SO glad to see
her dear cousins, so rejoiced that dear
Cousin Joe was better, and that he was
at home once more. She had not been
in the house before for nearly a year.
81 shall remain here and take care of
him to-day" said she, addressing Mrs.
Rollins. II was always his favorite
cousin, you know, and of course can
care for him as no strangers, however
thoughtful, are able to do"
"Cat's foot!" calculated Miss Debby,
sharply, She's a dretful nigh cousin,
amt hep Anyhow, we've he'd
strict orders not let him see no.
body. m Mis- Rollins amt lowed
into the room ourselves only once in
a great while. The Doctor is dretful
partickler, m Joe, himself, don't seem
to want to see nobody but Emily.
They've been a-talkin' over old times
this mornin'; his head pears to be all
right"
Kate grew scarlet with Indignation,
but she choked down her anger as near
ly as possible. "The Doctor means that
he shall not see any strangers, of course,
but in this case it is different. am q
dear friend and relative. Mas coming
nVn To aff.h 30 s..lxN