The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-12-01
REX'S DELIRIUM.

A regular Tonboy, sartinleo!"
REX'S DELIRIUM.
1T certainly is a great bore!" exclaimed
Mrs. Alfred Ridley, in tones quite other
wise from the dulcet falsettc with which
that lady was apt to regale society.
Just at this time, too!' echoed the young
ladies', in much the same injured voice. .
"But, my dear, what was to be doneY'
name of common humanity, was I to leave
the poor fellow, the victim of the criminal
carelessness of one of my own gamekeep-
ers, welter,ng in his own gore, lying on the
damp ground, dying, perhaps, when within
hundred yards Of my own house?"
"But who is he? Nobody knows" con-
tinued Mrs. Ridley. How can I allow my
daughters to wait upon a stranger? Mel
Their can spare time myself; and to leave
him to the mercy of the servants seems in
hospitable and strange. Besides, he may
die, and We shall have all the horrors of a
resident corpse"
Spite of his perplexity, Mr.. Ridley could
not repress a smile.
"A resident corpse!" he repeated. AT
oil events, Mrs. Ridley, such visitor is too
transient to be termed resident"
1T is very we'll for you to make sport
OF any inadvertant expression n-y excite
ment may call FORTH" retorted his wife.
"But for all that I may repeat that at this
time you should have had him carried to
the cottage Of the man that shot him. In a
fortnight we give ball, as you know, to
welcome the return Of Rex Ronalds. If
this stranger is very ill, we shall not be able
to do SO, and you know how many plans
We have builded uron it.
"Yes. Which is it to be? IL May OF
Ella selected for this conquering hero?"
There is no occasion for levity, Mr..
Ridley. Neither May nor ELLA lack for
suitors; but never the less had hoped
that Mr.. Ronalds would be attracted by one
or the other of them. And the old friend
ship existing between the families, ard his
return after fifteen years residence abroad,
warrants us in showing that we appreciate
his presence among us. He was but lad
Of fifteen when he babe us good-by. He
returns man of thirty"
And Mrs. Ridley's face Enlightened with
the advent Of happier thoughts.
Meantime, the subject of all this CONVEX
sation was stretched full length on his back
in one of the comfortable upstairs bed
rooms, gradually recovering consciousness,
with it's unhappy accompaniment Of realiza-
ton Of intense physical suffering.
A half involuntary movement cansed a
deep groan to escape from his white lips.
::ome one passing the open door heard and
entered-a little, delicate figure, clad in
deep mourning.
She resembled an exquisite pansy, with
her golden hair tight cooled about the little
head, her dark blue eyes and rose flushed
cheeks, :..,*. -
Shrinking somewhat, as if the: sight Of
pain hurt her, yet nerving herself to the ef-
fort, she approached the bed.
IF you can bear it q moment I will try
and make you more comfortable" she
whispered. 49,.
And in few minutes the sufferer felt
that his head had found fresh, cool place
and his wounded arm better support, for
which he tried to look his thanks. He
could not speak them.
"Ah, Miss Armstrong! you here?' ex-|
claimed Mrs. Ridley, standing on the thres-
hold, andaspeaking in a tone Of percepti-
BILE relief, as if seeing way out of the diff
fculty. into which she had found herself SO
unexpectedly plunged. Would you mind
relieving me in the care of this young man?
You know I have so little time, and my
hA0 81 yOuuR auu measurements
besides with them"
The fever. had risen, the Inflammation
in the wound increased;a painful opera
ton was necessary.
The doctor looked about him for an as
sistant.
You, myjchild? No, no!' he said, as
Rhona Indicated herself. II need wom-
an, n OF q nervous child"
was twenty my last birthday" she re-
Piled. II will not fail you"
Once or twice her cheek blanched, but
she never once relaxed her hold. She went
through her part bravely; then, when all
was over, tainted dead away.
But fortunately her swoon was short,
and left no i'll effects behind.
For two weeks, night and day, she
watched beside the sufferer. It was she
who soothed his delirium, who moistened
his parched lips, who loosened his bandages
when they pressed, who walked while he
slept.
Occasionally Mrs. Ridley would tiptoe to
the door.
II can do no good" she would say, II
must not run myself down. Mr.. Ronalds
may arrive now any day. Do you think
the young man will have recovered sufi-
GENTLY to enable US to give our bal?"
She stopped, hesitating.
Il understand, Mrs. Ridley, answered
the young girl. am used to nursing, and
all the time I can spare from the school
room I will relieve you gladly"
L will excuse yeu from the schoolroom.
The children can have holiday. should
like you to he always present to receive the
doctors directions. and to sec that they are
carried out" 80. r. : 50 90"
Left alone. Rohna Armstrong returned to
he bed: 2@Who are you that they leave YOU
with me?" she thought to herself. "Ah. if
you could exchange places with this Rex
Ronalds how they would vie with each 9TH
or in their care of you! But, Pshaw! I am
growing uncharitable. NY life is hard
ening me. Poor fellow! Whoever You
may be, you look as though you had hard.
long siege before you'll" which verd:ot the
physician Strengthened when he made his
call. ,g.-s.,.-~ se.-,s.-3y.-.=.a
but that he recovered at all the doctor
said he owed to his most faithful nurse,
The rose flush had all died from her cheek
now; the eyes had that large, heavy look
only nights Of ssleeplessness give: and the
golden hair hung in two large braids away
below the slender waist, > : ( 80 , = :
1t required less time to arrange it thus.
But one night, Watching alone, the crisis
passed: He opened wide inquiring eyes
upon the little fairy vision who had minis
tered in all his delirious dreams.
is it May or Ella?" he asked.
She thought he was delirious still.
ut is neither, she answered, rising and
approaching. his side. Only the cfildren's
governess. !" 7'sg -, &<z..~:... 81.
He held out his hand very feebly, and
she, to humor him, placed hers within it.
His fingers closed tightly over it. and thus
holding it he fell asleep. ..s.ss ..3. ...SsT =
She dared not wakon him. It was the
sleep which might buy his life. There was
no chair within her reach, she feared 70
move, and 90 she stood motionlees through