The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-11-18
CHAPTER Y

The hours Of the night that followed Bertha.
rCturn home were hours of the greatest agony she
bad ever endured. Her father Law insensibIe. al
most lifeless. He gave no response to her tender
aones as she sometimes called his name and tried
to soOrhe him when he groaned or muttered in
distinct words. He showed 40 signs Of recogni-
aOn- Her mother sat on the opposite side Of the
bed and watched, with weary, almost hopeless
gaze, husband and daughter, sometimes essaying
N help but permitting Bertha to do as she chose.
She had begged Bertha to take some rest before
sEying to watch over her father but the poor Girl
would not hear of such a thing
-iI am not tired" said she; II am fresh But
you, mother, you ought to rest. Can you not take
en- hour at least? You look so wearied out"
HI could not sleep if I should try" said her
mother. "Father is always more restless the first
part Of the night Roscoe will rest till one o'clock
and then, if there is no change for the worse.
may lie down an hour or two"
Bertha bathed the hot forehead and famed the
saiudrawn face of her father so gently and sootb-
,ngIy that he seemed to grow quieter by degrees
and when midnight came he sank into deep
aeep. Soon afterward Roscoe came in to take his
mothers place, and prevailed upon her to 20 and
ssek for rest.
]If there is the slightest change, you must wake
me-" said she.
They promised to do so, and the weary wife
gent sadly away, fearing to yield her place but
driven to it by the knowledge that she had got
fIrther trials for her strength, in ease Of either
icath or recovery, for which she must try to be
prepared.
The sleeper was very quiet for hours, and. as the
physician had left orders that he be not disturbed
4 he slept, Bertha and Roscoe had nothing to do
feff fIt-o orIe bo l..
possible. Toward morning, the fever seemed to
zabside, and the feet and hands to become cold
When Roscoe found out that this was the case, he
sid TO Bertha:
eve ought to wake mother I fear he will
never come out Of this"
30 Ross don't say 50 I must hear him speak
70 me again. o father. father! here is your little
sirl ~ and she rubbed his cold, clammy hands
with her warm ones while Roscoe chafed his feet
There was no response from either the weary,
worn body or the wandering mind.
we must give him some wine. The doctor
SIid So in case he sank away" said Bertha. "And
yuu must get a bottle Of hot water for his feet
telieve it is the turn Of the fever, and if we work
With him he may rally. Oh . he must live! Nv
tsar, dear father! I am going to rub his hands
nth brandy perhaps it will warm him up"
awe ought to call mother" said Roscoe ''What
he should die now2v
I'VE haven't time" said Bertha. awe must
york"
20. the two rubbed and worked as Bertha said
FEtIng bottles Of hot water about the sick man.
md giving him what stimulants they could get
aim to swallow, till finally they were rewarded
ayanding that he grew gradually little warmer.
All at once he opened his eyes.
Bertha " he whispered. "Aiy little girlr'
Ser arms were about him and her lips to his in
Smoment. Trembling with joy, she looked into
ais eyes.
He Will live! He will live do believe ~ she
said to herself
ihe sileht' agonized prayer that had ascended
rom her heart continually while she was workin,,
~. earnestly to revive her father. had been
Prayer Of faith. Her first impulse was one ~
blanifulnessi but when the tired eyes closed
slowly and the worn brain again relapsed TO un