Morris tribune., 1881-12-01
REX'S DELIR!UM.

REX'S DELIR!UM.
1t certainly is a great bore!" exclaimed
Mrs. Alfred Ridley, in tones quite Other
wise from the dulcet falsetto with which
that lady was apt to regale society.
Just at this time, toow echoed the young
ladies, in much the same injured voice.
But, my dear, what was to be done?"
appealed the master Of the house. an the
name Of common humanity, was to leave
the poor fellow, the victim of the criminal
carelessness of one of my own gamekeep-
ers, weterlng in his own gore, lying on the
damp ground, dying, perhaps, when within
a hundred yards of my own house,"
"But who is he? Nobody knows" con-
tinued Mrs. Ridley. How can allow my
daughters to wait upon a stranger? Mel
Their can l 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
resident corpse.
Spite of his perplexity, Mr.. Ridley could
not repress a smile.
"A resident corpse" he repeated. AT
all events, Mrs. Ridley, such visitor is too
transient to be termed resident"
1T is very well for you to make sport
OF any inadvertant expression I.y excite
ment may call FORTH retorted his wife.
"But for ell that I may repeat that at this
time you should have had him carried to
the cottage Of the nan that shot him. Ina
fortnight we give ball. as you know, to
welcome the return of Rex Ronalds If
this stranger is very i'll 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? Is May or
Ella selected for this conquering hero?"
There is no occasion for levity, Mr..
suitors; but never the less I had hoped
that Mr.. Ronalds would be attracted by one
Or the other of them. And the old friend
ship existing between the families, and his
return after fifteen years residence abroad
warrants us in showing that we appreciate
his presence among us. He was but q lad
of fifteen when he babe us gooa-by. He
returns man of thirty"
And Mrs. Ridley's face frightened 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 its unhappy accompaniment Of realiza-
ton of intense physical suffering.
A half involuntary movement censed a
deep eroan to escape from his white lips
some one passing the oper 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 hunt her, yet nerying herself to the eff
fort, she approached the bed.
eff you can bear it g moment I will try
| and make you more comfortable" she
Whispered
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 TIRES
| hold, and speaking in q tone Of percepti-
| BILE relief, as if seeing a 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 have so little time, and my
daughters are so young and inexperienced;
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, my child? No, no." he said, as
Rhona indicated herself. Il need wom-
an, n OF nervous child"
L was twenty my last birthday" she re-
Piled. 81 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 lead away.
But fortunately her swoon was short,
and left no ill 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.
81 can do no good" she would say Il
must not run myself down. Mr.. Ronalds
may arrive now any day. Do you think
the young man will have recovered suffi-
GENTLY to enable us to give our ball?"
She stopped, hesitating.
Il understand, Mrs. Ridley" answered
the young girl. lam used to nursing. and
all the time I can spare from the school
room / will relieve you gladly"
Il will excuse yeu from the schoolroom.
| The children can have holiday. I should
like you to he always present to receive the
doctors directions, and to see that they are
| carried out"
Left alone, Rohna Armstrong returned to
he bed. 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
| er in their care of you! But, Pshaw! am
growing uncharitable. My life is hard.
ening me. Poor fellow Whoever you
may be. you look as though you had a hard,
long siege before you!" which yerd:ot the
| physician Strengthened when he made his
call
| 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 sleeplessness give: and the
golden hair hung in two large bruids away
below the slender waist.
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.
rs it May or Ella?" he asked.
She thought he was delirious still.
ut is neither" she answered, rising and
approaching his side. "Only the children
governess."
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 IL he fall aslaer
She dared not waken him. 1t was the
sleep which might buy his life. There was
no chair within her reach, she feared to
move, and SO she stood motionless through