Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-07-12


ill she looked as she lay back in the
carriage saying over and over to her.
self: 'sHis cousin and l killed him."
Her youthful folly seemed fated to
mar her whole life.
''You do look sick; [ hope you
are not coming down with fever
said Aunt Martha anxiously. "We
must 60 away at once. They say
there are dozen cases in town, and
they fear an epidemic like the one
here four years ago. We must leave
tomorrow, if possible.
Violet was passive that night, and
let her aunt plan out their summer
without opposition, but as she lay
and thought during that long, terri
BILE night, she planned her life anew.
In the morning she said; "You
can 60, Aunt Martha, but / shall cer-
tainly stay. We can be in no dan
ger here. Our spring water is so
pure-not like that which supplies
the village-and they will need all
the help they can get to care for the
sick. So many who are able will
leave the poor and sick to their fate.
l shall invite number of those who
are unable to leave to come out here
and stay until the danger is over.
There are many I could name now
whom it would benefit even if they
were not threatened at all with the
fever. Oh, Aunt Martha, do you
think if l could save life it would
atone for the past?"
In that bitter cry her aunt read the
story of that poor suffering heart.
"We shall both stay" she said
gently. 81 was only thinking of
you when | urged going. My life is
soon over. 1t does not matter"
The old mansion was large and
surrounded by farm teeming with
plenty. The old rooms, unused so
long. were opened and aired, and
soon in every one were one or more
occupants. There were delicate chill
dren, poor, tircd-out school teachers,
and several old ladies, into whose
pinched and sorrowful lives this Wis
it came as Il heavenly vision. The
village was indeed pla9
Many who were able fed, but among
those who remained the death-rate
ran high. Doctors came from other
places, and Ralph Armstrong stayed
and nursed and comforted all in his
power His face flushed as he learn.
ed of Miss Sturtevant's guests, hel
aunt taking care that he should know
to whom the credit was due. He soor
heard of her in other ways, and me-
her beside the dying. She was pale
quiet and courageous, but never
more beautiful. There was one young
girl who, in days past, she had be.
lieved had won the heart she would
have died to possess. She had hat
ed her for her simple beauty then
and now, when she heard she was
very low with the fever with no reg
ular nurse to attend her, a fierce
struggle took place in her soul, which
ended in her going to her bedside
prepared to try and battle for th,
life in the poor, fever-racked frame
For days she had watched beside her
taking but little rest herself. Ralpl
had been in with the doctors, an(
pressed her hand gratefully as b,
found her there. There seemed M
hope, and the doctor said, one day
81 can do no more. If she lives sh,
; will owe her life TO you, Miss Sturte
want"
, All that night she sat by the bed
gave nourishment and medicine, bath
ed the fevered brow and prayed TO
the life, and as the day dawned sh'
knew that her prayer was answered
Some one came in to relieve her, an(
she slipped out into the fresh air
She went through the garden t.
avoid meeting the doctor and Ralph
who, she knew, were coming at tina
hour. Very pale and worn she look
ed, as she leaned against a rusti,
seat; but there was an exultant lool
in the face lifted toward heaven.
At last she saw Ralph come from
the house, looking around as if seek
ing her, and as he drew near sh,
cried:
81 have saved life. / have made
atonement. Go to her. | saved hel
for you."
mo, no (! did you not know ?-sh.
loves and is TO marry her cousin. M,
place is here, if you will let me stay
Here at your feet to ask forgiveness
for my doubt Of you. To think
: could have doubted such noble
heart | feel that | am unworthy Il
ask you to love me-.
"And you know the past"
"All; this week has blotted ou
the past forever"
She turned to him with look tha
told him, more than words can do, oil
the fiery furnace through which hel
soul had passed, and, stretching Out
his arms he lifted her away from il
ALTO his heart.