Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-15

thinking tnat Dy now tnat ueau man Oh tlle
road must be covered an inch-must have
lost shape and outline. shivered as turn
ed away. =
They are sure to keep the line to town
OPEN" I said, IF you can get to Roding,
you can get to London."
"Oh. can get to Roding right enoughr'
said William.
Then told him what he was to do. He
was to take letter to one Of the Nursing
Institutions, and bring back two nurses with
him. No matter what the weather was
when they reached Roding, they were to
come to my house at once, even II they had
to hire twenty horses to drag them there
He was also to get me a few drugs which
might want.
William said no more. He nodded, to
show that he understood me; and knew
that if it were possible to do my bidding it
would be done.
OF his own accord he then brough, me
food. ate, for knew that should want
all my strength to support the anxiety Of
the next day or two.
stayed up the whole night. Oh, that
awful night! shall ever forget it? The
sOlitude-the raging snow-stOrm outside
the poor creature, to whose side l crept
noiselessly every half an hour. She lay
there with face like marble, calm and
beautiful. The long, dark lashes swept her
pale cheek. The only movement was the
regular rise and fall of the bosom. Oh,
happy oblivionI Oh, dreaded wakening!
As looked at her, in spite of the love l
believe that, had I thought such prayer
would be answered, should for her sake
have prayed that those lashes might never
again be lifted.
Morning at last broke on my dreary vigil.
Philippa still slept l returned to the sit
ting-room and drew back the curtains from
the window. Yes; 1t was morning-such a
morning as leaden, wintry skies can give.
1t was still showing as heavily. II not more
heavily, than 1t had showed last night. For
twelve hours the fakes had fallen without
intermission.
There was little wind now; 1t had drop
ped, knew, about an hour ago. The world
so far as could see, was clad in white; but
the snow lay unevenly. The wind had
blown 1t into drifts. On my garden path its
my garden wall by feet
William now made his appearance. He
prepared some breakfast for himself, and
then, having done Justice to it, started for
Roding. 1t occurred to me that he might be
the first to find the object which lay on the
roadside.
Except that so doing might delay him and
cause him to miss the train, this mattered
little. l was now calmly awaiting the inev-
table. Some one must make the discovery.
However, as wanted the nurses, said to
him:
Remember this is life and death. Moth
ing must stop you" He touched his hat in
a reassuring manner, and tramped of
through the snow.
Ireturned to my patients bedside and sat
watching her, and waiting for her to awake.
Hour after hour l sat by her motionless
form. Now and again glanced from the
beautiful, senseless face, and looking out of
the window saw the snow still falling.
Would my messenger ever be able to reach
town; il he did so, would he be able to re-
turn? was bound to have woman's aid.
The presence Of the toughest daughter of
the plow would be welcome to me when
Philippa awoke. And it was now time she
did SO.
Although I felt her pulse almost every
other minute, and could find no reason for
alarm l am bound to say that her long sleep,
pro;racted far beyond any l had In my ex-
perence seen produced by the exhibition of
narcotics, rendered me very uneasy. shall,
l am sure, scarcely be credited when l say
that Philippa's uncOnscousneSs lasted for
sixteen hours-from half-past nine ut night
to half-past one on the following afternoon.
L began then to think the duration abnormal,
and determined to take some steps toward
arousing her.
But was spared the responsibility. She
stirred on the couch. Her head turned Ian
guidly on the pillow. Her dark eyes opened,
closed, and opened again. She looked at
me in dazed manner, not at first seeming
to know me, or to understand why / was
near her, or where she was. A prey to the
widest anxiety, l leaned over her, and
waited until she spoke.
Little by little her bewilderment seemed
to leave her. Her eyes rested with curious
inquiry upon mine. BASIL" she said,
family, but in tone of surprise, 'you here!
Where am II"
Under my roof-your brothers. roof" /
said.
"Ah! I remember" she said, with deep
sigh. Then she closed her eyes, and once
more seemed to sleep. 1 took her hands and
called her by name. Once more she opened
her eyes. They expressed no fear Of me, no
dislike to me. They conveyed no reproach.
They were calm, and, weary, but gave no
evidence of any mental disorder.
Have been i'll long, Basil?'' she asked.
Not very long. You are going to get bet
ter soOn."
Il came to your house, did not?'
Yes; and here mean to keep you. Do
you feel weak?'
Very weak. Basil, l have dreamed such
horrible things"
You have been feverish and delirious.
People like that always fancy strange
things"
She was indeed Is weak as child; but
for the time, at least, she was perfectly
sane. could have cried for Joy as heard
her faint but collected words. She was now
fully awake, and perfectly quiet 1 gave
her some refreshment; then seeing she was
lying In peaceful silence, l thought it better
to leave her. As quilted her room drew
down the blind, fearing that the whrling
snow might bring recollections which it was
my ono wish to keep from invading her
mind.
The long dreary DAY wore away. The
light faded. and another night began. Philip
pa still lay calm, silent, and almost apa-
thetic. did nothing to rouse her.. went
10 her side as seldom as possible. Most |
as evening came, awaited the |
appearance Of my faithful William and the |
nurses.
Would they be able to reach us in such
1t was still showing fiercely. For |
more than twenty-four hours the mad white |
'evel had continued without intermission.
Indeed, that storm which burst upon the /
world as turned from Philippa's house on
he preceding night is now historical; it was
he beginning Of the heaviest and the long
,st fall which the record of fifty years can /
how. For two nights and day the snow
:ame down in what may almost be called |
irifting masses. During that dismal day l |
aw from the window the heaps against the
vail grow deeper and deeper, and even in
ny preoccupied state Of mind found myself
atthe sustained fury Of the storm.
At eleven O'Clock at night sadly gave up
III hope of the much-needed assistance ar
living. After all, it seemed that William
lad found il impOssible to fight against the |