The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-28

been in any town, and the girls Nigh
never have been there in their lives, s
eagerly did they linger at shop-win
dows, admiring and longing afte
finery. The younger cOnsOled the elder
saying that they would have all thes
sort OF grand things some time. 1T
only four years." whispered she, jus
four years, and then that stupid I'll
-" Here Caroline pushed her away witt
an angry 'hush!" and walked up to m,
side with prim smile. thought !
strange, but took no notice, always dis
liking to play the governess out o
schoOl-hours.
Another odd thing happened tn,
same week. There came letter L
Mr.. LIE Poer from Mr.. Sutherland.
could not help noticing this, as it lay OF
the mantel-shelf two days before the
former returned, and used to see il
always when | sat at meals. His-Mr
| Sutherland's | mean-was a fair, large
hand, which would have caught any
ones eye: besides, it was like old times
to see 1t again.
happened to be by when Mr.. lie Poel
opened the letter. lie was so anxious
over it that he did not notice my pres.
ence. Perhaps it was wrong Of me to
glance toward him. but yet natural
considering it was the letter Of friend
of mine. saw q little note inclosed,
the address of which was almost sure
bore my name. l waited, thinking he
would give it to me. even made
some slight movement to attract his
attention. He looked up-he actually
started-but the next moment smiled,
nc n,>l,, AZ I Dnar on,Il ovni1o
News from our friend, you see!''
said he, showing me the outside envel-
ope. "He is quite well, and-let me
consider, "-glancing over his own let
ter-"he sends his kindest remembran-
Sutherland"
So saying he folded the epistle, and
placed 1t in his desk. The little note,
which he had turned seal upperm0st he
quietly put unopened, into his pocket.
It must have been my own delusion
then. Yet l was disappointed.
At the expiration Of my first year as
a governess, just as | was looking with
untold eagerness to my midsummer
holidays, when was at length to 60
home TO my mother--fOr the Journey to
London was too expensive to admit of
that happiness more than once year
there happened a great disaster to the
LIE Poer family; no less than that terri
BILE scourge, typhus fever. Matilda
took it first, then Caroline, then the
mother. These three were scarcely con-
valescent when Zillah caught the fever
in her turn, and had it more dangerous
~ than any of the rest. Her life was
in danger for many days, during which
/ had the sole anxiety and responsible
ty; for Mr.. lie Poer, on the first tidings
Of the fever, had taken flight, and been
visible at home no more. True, he
wrote every other day most touching
letters, and | in return kept him con-
stantly informed as to the progress OF
his wife and children. When Zillah
was taken ill, however, did not think
it necessary to send him word concern
ing her, feeling that the poor orphans
life was precious to no one. l never
was more surprised than when on Mr..
LIE Peers venturing back and finding
Zillah in the crisis Of her disease, his
terror and anxiety appeared uncontroll-
able.
Good God" he cried, "Zillah i'll?
Zllah going to die? Impossible! Why
was not Informed before? COnfOund
you, madam!"-and he turned furiOusly
to his still ailing wife-"did you not
you mad--quite madp"
| declare thought he was. Mrs. Le-
Poer only sObbed in silence. Mean
while the outcries Of the delirious girl
were heard in the very parlor. ! had
given her my room; thought, poor
soul, she should not die in her damp
kitchen-clOset.
Mr.. LIE Poer turned absolutely white
with terror-he who had expressed only
mild concern when his wife and daugh-
tiers were in peril. Miss Pryor." said
he, hOarsely, something must be done.
The girl must be saved; I'd snatch her
from the very fiend himself! Send for
advice, physicians, nurses; send to
Leeds, Liverpool-to London even.
Only, by -, she must not die!"
Poor Zllah did not die. She was
saved, for Heavens strange purposes;
though |, in my then blindness, often
and often, while sitting by her bedside,
thought it woul be better did she slip
quietly out of til bitter world in which
she seemed to be only an unsightly and
anxiety did not end with her GONZALES
CCItc, NHlCu NbO Wei y oloN' DiiC iloy
die YETI heard him muttering to him
self, the first day after he saw his niece.
Miss Pryor, my wife is fool mean
a rather undecided person. Tell me
what yon think ought to be done for
Zillah's recovery?' l prescribed, but
with little hope that my advice would
be followed-immediate change to sea
air. ut shall be done!" at once said
he. MRS. lie Poer and the girls can
take care of her; or stay-she likes you
best. Miss Pryor, are you willing to
goY"
This question perfectly COMPOUNDED
me. had been so longingly anticipat-
ing my going home-delayed. as in COM
mon charity / could not but delay 1t, on
account of the fever. Now this troub-
le was over had quite counted on my
departure. That very week | had been
preparing my small wardrobe, so as to
look as nice as possible in my mothers
eyes. She had given me a hint to do so,
since she and were TO spend the vaca-
ton together at Mr.. Sutherland's cOun-
try-house, and old Mr.. Sutherland was
so very particular.
"Why do you hesitatep" said Mr.. Le-
Poer rather sharply. Are you thinking
of the money! You shall have any
additional salary-s5O more, If you
choose. Upon my soul, madam, you