The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-12-11

smooth d by oth,rj.
Bixby had been there three weeks,
when John Fc n. as he was always
called, h name being sunk in that CT
his mistress, came pulling in late one
morn ny. His news was sud. Miss
V olot had come home the preceding
evening"; she had been taken III on her
journey, and had gone ght TO bed on
her arrival. Mrs. Fem sent for the
doctor, who pronounced her suffering
from n virulcnt case of q phtheria. He
told it brokenly, the tears running down
his putty checks.
"Mrs Fem amt strong enough to
stand such strain as this II be on her, I"
he said, forlornly. III went for Mrs.
Jasper to come an help tend Miss Vio-
let. but she don't care to come on ac-
count of the disease. And Miss Crupps
was sick. an the poor ch Id needs
watching and tending every blessed
minut,. an Maria has to tend to tho
house"
Elise listened, dismaycd.
"Violet down w tn d phtheria! Where
did she take such d seasep How did
she got itp Did you say she was all pur-
pie and swollen, Johnp Have you been
by hcrp ID d You dare come here with
out be ny dsinfcctndp You can carry
disease n your clothes, your hair! How
dared YOU, Johnp Go right out on the
stoop, and talk to inc through the win
dow"
II have not been near poor Miss
Violet, ma am, only rs ] drove her
home last night from the d pot"
,,nt, -, g, Il L.licn ,,,n,ylnt M on
"Poor Violet! Poor mother! How awful.
how terriblcr'
At the gate John met Bixby, with her
flock. They were in the gayest poss bic
spirits, and held up for his admiration
long dandelion chains. but he was in
no mood for tritrs. His news. abruptly
told. struck Bixby like bolt from u
clear sky
Don't say my Miss Violet is dying,
John!'
Then, without another word, she
sought Mrs. Maurice.
"You must get somebody in my
place." she said. ~ am going home to
Miss Violet"
"What nonsensical talk" said Elise,
who was lovely in her pallor. "Mothcr
sent down word that you were not to
come home. need you with the chill
dr. II. 1t would be very mean for you
to 20 away now. Besides. you will
take the diphth ria; it's a dangerous
dscas', and if you get s ok. who is
going to tend to you? Listen to reason,
Blxby."
IL can't listen to such reason" said
Bixby, in choked vo ce. IL can't tell
you how feel, ma'am; you wouldn't
understand. Miss Violet took me from
hell, and gave me Heaven!' The ip-
tensitv of her speech shocked Elise.
What blasphemy! Stop talking.
This is unb arabic. Bixby!'
"And I'd lay down my life fur hern'
continued the girl, with flashing eyes.
"I'vc never had no chance yet to do fur
them. Oh, if Jesus gave HIS life fur
his enemies, can't risk mine fur my
friendsp"
Hush, Bixby"' said Elise. pctulant-
ly. You don't know what you are
talking about. Go back to the chill.
dren.
But instead of going obediently back
to the Little ones. Bixby got her things
and went disobedently down the street.
Mrs. tonn, pail d, wan, keeping
sleepless watch over the ch Id dearer to
her than life, looked up astoni he'd. as
b xby softly entered the sick room. She
waved her back.
"Violet is very, very sick. Do not
come by her, Bxby; l do not want you
to tn >e the disease"
IL am not afraid of it. only want
to do fur her---to help you. Fur the
dear Lords sake, let me hcv my chance
of do ng, ma'am!"
A solemn warfare with death was
waged for hours in that hushed room.
Without were bad and bosom and
golden sunsh nc, the merry laugh OF
children and song of birds, the humming
of bees, as they pped nectar from white
and pink petaled blooms. Within was
ceaseless Wig and agonizing prayer, and
a vain, so t seemed, hope aga nst hope.
No one knew the moment when the
real crisis came, and the dread angel
sheathed the sword upl fled to smite.
but slowly dawned the blessed certain.
ty. Violet would live.
"You must 90 down into the garden
and get some fresh ar, Bixby," SAID
Mrs. Fem, gently. 1T seems to me
you have not really eaten or slept fol
days. ! shall have to give you an
opiate."
"Yes, do go down. Bixbyr' pleaded
Violet, from her couch. she lay there
very fair and frail, so glad to be back
from the portals of death. so Thankful
to God for bestowing on her her life a:
gift for the second time. Her com
plexion was as fresh and fa as Il babe $
her eyes were III. ge and luminous.
''Dear, good BlXby! How invaluable
: you have b enH'
b xby obeyed without protest. Once
out in the sunshine, she thought sh,
would teel better; her head ached. anf
elasticity seemed to have left her sturd,
limbs. What b aut full world it was
She stopped to look at the cactus. s
I mass of gorgeous crimson bloom on the
terrace, and bent over the moss
pinkS in the border. There were robin:
nesting in the elms; She heard the beet
droning in the cherry-blossoms. The
world was beautiful, and Life was sweet
She wanted 10 lie down there on the sof
turf. and feel the breeze cooling hei
cheek; she longed to. like very child
She would lie down just little while
then go back to Miss Violet. Old John
coming by while later, saw her st.l
resting there.
''This VIII never do, child" he 50 d.
shaking her. Tho ground is damp. L
you are sleepy, go into the house."
She looked up at him, with strange
dull eyes, then closed them heavily.
"You must get up, B'xby'' ho said
authoritat vely.