The Irish standard., 1886-10-23
her. then. It would be rather hard ,un-
less she is guilty of some fault"
Mrs. Arnott bit her lip.

her, then. 1t would % raIner nara ,un-
less she is guilty of some fault"
Mrs. Arnott bit her lip.
.sGentlemen understand nothing OF
the management of household" she
said tartly. 'sThese girls haven't our
sensitive natures, either. They are
quite used to knocking around the
world. Are you going down town
.now?"
"Yes.''
III wish you'd stop and ask DR.. Hart
to call here this morning; little Clar-
ence is feverish.'
ssAnything serious?'
II hope not,' the mother answered,
"but I always like to take these things
in time.''
CHAPTER Ill.
DR.. Hart leaned over Clarence's. little
crib. He involuntarily uttered the
name Of some malignant type of fever,
just then raging in the city.
ssI wish that you had sent for ME be-
fore. fear that it is too late to secure
the exemption of your other little ones,
Butwith constant care we can save the
little fellow. You have q good nurse!''
san excellent one. 1 can trust Ma
talie as I would myself
.'You are Fortunate ~ said the doctor.
He had scarcely closed the door, when
Natalie came to her mistress.
'sMy month expires to-morroW, ma
dam; will you pay me my wages, and
let me take my departure at once?"
.sBut, Natalie, the baby is sick"-
Zones first duty is to ones self; l
would not risk the infection for twice
what youpay me.''
And Natalie packed her trunk and de-
parted without coming into the nursery
to bid little Clarence good-by.
The cook was next to give warning.
Matilda, the laundress. took herself Oft
without any preliminary ceremony.
II am going, too,'' said the seam
stress. Mrs. Arnott wouldn't have
lifted her finger if we'd have been dy-
ing, and I believe in doing to others as
they do tome."
And almost before she knew it the
stricken mother was left alone by the
bedside of her suffering baby. Neigh
bors crossed on the other side Of the
street; friends contented themselves by
sending III toinquire; even hired nurses
avoided the malignant fever.
lis there no one to help me?'' she
moaned, wringing her white jeweled
hands together. "Have all pity and
womanly sympathy died out of the
world?"
A slight noise caused her to turn,
and Kathleen O'Neil was at her side.
busy arranging the table.
II thought you, too, had gone, kath-
leen!" she cried.
'tSure, ma Fam, what should be going
for!' asked Kathleen, simply, land the
bits of children sick, and you in sore
trouble? l nursed the little brothers
and sisters at home, and I know just
what needs to be done."
And she took the little Clarence liz
her arms with soft tenderness that
went to the mothers heart.
care YOU not afraid, Kathleen?"
"What should I be afraid Of, ma am?
Isn't Gods sky over us all, whether it's
the green banks Of Ireland or the
church steeple of this great confusing
city? oh, ma'am, He'll not take that
bonny baby from usl''
CHAPTER Nv.
All Mrs. Arnott's children had the
fever; last OF all she was prostrated by
it, and Kathleen watched over every
one, faithful, true, and tender.
Kathleen" Mrs. Arnott said the
first day she satup (the Irish girl ar
ranging the pillows about her wasted
form ''oh, Kathleen, I don't deserve
thisl''
"Sure. ma'am, if we all had our de-
serts in the world, it's a sorry place it
would be, I'm thinking" laughed kath-
leen.
"But, Kathleen, I was cruel to You,--
so perfectly heartless!"
1--WE won't talk of it, ma'an, dear," !"
said Kathleen, evasively.
'sBut say just once that you forgive
mel" pleaded the Lady once so naughty.
II forgive you, ma 'am, as free as the
sunshine" Kathleen answered softly.
And you'll stay with me always,and
be my friend. kathleen?"
eff God wills it, ma'am."
And Mrs. Arnott put her lips to kiss
the fresh, cool cheek of Irish Kathleen.
The years that haYe passed since then
have made men and women Of the little
people that Kathleen nursed through
the fever, and strangers who visit Mrs.
Arnott scarcely know what to make Of
the plump. comely, middle-aged woman
who moves about the house apparently
as much at home in it as the mistress
is consulted about every
thing, who is trusted with all secrets.
''Is she housekeeper, or servant, or