Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-06-14

uuil icA aWdyf NhhiC 0Onh 49,. ~ -
Aher mothers room and bent over the
bed.
Mother DEAR she whispered ten
Derby, do you feel i'll? Can | do
| anything for you ?'
They told me that my Tom had
run away, and it isn't true: know
it is not" muttered the invalid, as
! she tossed restlessly about, while
ever now and then a moan broke
from her lips.
Jean was very much frightened,
for she could not understand how
her mother could have forgotten that
Tom had run away SO long ago.
"Mother," she cried, laying her
cool but hard hand upon her moth
er's burning forehead, "don't you
know me ? It is Jean--your Jean.
Oh what shall do ?" and with
tears of helplessness in her eyes she
prayed for guidance. Almost i'm
mediately thought struck her.
Darling from the room and down
the stairs, Jean entered the kitchen
and seizing the old dinner horn, she
blew it repeatedly, then waited an
xiously. Yes, her fathers voice
was hallooing to her. Once more
the hoarse tones of the horn floated
down to her father at work in the
pasture, and it was with a sense of
relief that she saw him striding rap
idly toward the house.
"What is it Jean, girl ?" he asked,
painting for breath, as he neared the
house. In a few brief words she
told him all, and bidding her to run
back to her mother, he hurried to
the barn. AS jeanne sat by the bed
side of her mother, she heard the
! clatter of the horses feet. Running
to the window, she saw her father
riding rapidly towards the village.
"Where is Tomp Why don't
some body bring him from the field?
/ must speak to him." cried Mrs.
Willette. excitedly. us he dead ?
John, John, you must forgive him
our bcy-our only one-oh, Johnl !"
Her last words would have melted
her husbands proud heart, could he
he have heard them; but he was far
away, seeking the village physician,
whom he fortunately found just
stepping into his buggy to make a
professional call; but Farmer Will
lette's startled appearance and
urgent entreaty caused the doctor
to change his destination, and they
were soon driving toward the Will
lette farm.
Jean hurried forward to meet the
doctor as he entered her mothor's
room. .sl
"Is she very i'll, sir? Oh, tell me I"
she cried ,grasping his arm in her
excitement. y
"Be calm, Miss Jeanie," he an
swered, soothingly, for l have only
you to depend upon as nurse. Yes,
/ fear that Mrs. Willette is a very
sick woman" He once more bent
over the invalid, who, having swal-
lowed a soothing portion, now lay
quiet with closed eyes.
The farmer had stood eagerly
watching the DOCTORS face as he
spoke to Jean, and he now stepped
forward.
81 say, DOCTOR" touching the
physicians arm and speaking in an
awe-struck voice, "you don't mean
to say that my wife is very sick, do
you ?"
II am afraid so, Mr.. Willette, /"
was the reply as the doctor rapidly
wrote prescription and handed it
to JEAN Your wife was always a
very delicate woman, and she should
never have married a farmer-least
of all poor one" he added ina low
voice, but not so low but that the
husband caught his words.
mo one knows that better than I
do,' the farmer mentally said, while
aloud he asked:
"You will call again, this evening.
sir ?"
"Yes," answered the other man Jas
he softly closed the bedroom door,
and walked along the cold, carpet
less hall followed by Mr. Willette;
to be frank with you, your wife has
some trouble on her mind over which
she is constantly worrying; and, in
deed, believe that trouble has part
ly caused the illness; and" he
| stood GtilI and the hottar RI amnha