Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-10-22
CHAPTER vi.

ne RaileTy lCOkeu uOWn upon Une entrance
hall, out of which several doors opened and
one or two short flights of steps ran up to
different passages. At the top of one of
these flights stood the redoubtable old lady
in most excited state. For some inexplic-
able reason she had gathered up her skirts,
and the first idea her figure suggested was
that of n stout elderly lady, of infexible
purpose, who was about to wade a river
Idea two arose upon observation of the hand
kerchief which she held to her face, and
which exhaled an odor of powerful aromatic
vinegar, and scented the entire atmosphere
Idea three was presented by her outstretched
right arm, which gave her an imperial as
pect, as of one about to deliver word of
universal command. Idea four arose from
the pallor of her cheeks, which signified alb
ject terror struggling with will powerful
by nature, and now exasperated by the pro-
voking turn affairs had taken; so that not
even fear could extingui sh mighty wrath
Il always said SC" the old lady called out
''This comes of your Sunday-school treats.
But Maud never would listen to advice-not
since she was four years oldn
Poor Maud, pale and crying, sat upon
chair. Beside her stood the doctor and her
husband; and, in the silence which followed
the old lady's allocution, the wall of the sick
child was plainly heard. At the sound the
mother started to her feet
'sAug,lstusr she called out piteously, II
must go! Doctor, do say that am to gor
The doctor looked at the husband, but did
not speak. "Augustus,N his wife cried,
don't forbid me. Baby will die if she frets
on in this way. 1t is cruel to keep me. 1t
is my duty to run whatever risk there may
be. Dolet me go. Listen! cannot bear
to hear her," ..a
The husband did not speak.
Maud" the old lady called out, waiting
vinegar gale across the scene as she re-
moved her handkerchief, 'don't fly in the
face Of Providence"
Doctor" the young mother pleaded, see
ing her husband would not speak, 'say
something. Command me to CO. The childs
lie is in your hands. It is your duty to
.peak!"
Even in her anguish out came a flash of
Maud's temper. How Vanity admired ber.
$50 far as the child's life is concerned
the doctor answered gravely, ''no doubt
she will have a better chance if you are
with her."
'There, Augustus; you heart"
ssBut, madam" the doctor went on, shak-
ing his head, ''Mr. Neville is nervous about
you. I cannot say his fears are un-
founded"
Maud" her husband said, drawing close
to her, II cannot permit it. We must get
nurse Baby will soon cry herself to
sleep"
"Oh, it is cruell" she said; "it is cruell'
No one spoke. But the child's wall came
lerth again. .... ..-
Mamma! mamma! Iwant mammal"
The poor mother, quite broken down, with
nothing Of her fiery temper left, caught her
husbands hands and looked up imploringly
in his face, and let her tears plead for her.
And Vanity gazing down, pitied the mother
from her heart, and felt kind of affection
and compassion which was quite new to
her.
'Maud," the old lady called out, in her
harsh voice, Il am shocked! Did YOU not
promise to love, honor and obeys What is
your word good for if you break it in
crisis?"
'How l hate that old woman!" Vanity
thought "& fa
At this point the soldier brother spoke:
Il feel for you, Neville" he said to his
brother -in-law; 'but do think my sister is
right. Her duty is with her child Let her
go, and leave the rest in the hands of God"
fhe sister darted look of unspeakable
gratitude at her brother; and now the doc
tor took courage. a nl f'.etg 5a,..
/ ton the whole, that seems the wisest
thing, he said. "We must take every pre-
caution" asg ..,..s r..t .gt.. .-l4,. :. ~.
'Mind, the old lady called out II don't
agree with either of YOU Remember that
hereafter"
She threw out the word thereafter" in
gloomy bass. t..,
"Now. Augustus" the wife cried, ''now
yeu will let me gep ...,ts .t,a,s.