Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-07

August when the WhOie atmosphere
has 4 smoky appearance. The suns
rays were So toned and melloWed that
no shadows were cast. and faint
breeze was stirring that made the
leaves futtcr lazily.
Just the day for bass fishing. So
thought DR.. Dudley, as he made his
way down steep bank to the edge of
the outlet near the village of the Lin
den Springs, wnere he was spending
his summer vacation. Before him tie
water spread out piacidly, its surface
stirred only by the gentlest kind Of a
''fisherman's ripple"
DR.. Dudley was man so years of
age, large of stature, and with Il some
what stern countenance. He was an
angler Of cOnsummate skill, as his
well-filled basket often showed. But
he pursued the sport with 4 gravity
that was never disturbed by signs of
eXultatiOn.
On this particular afternoon he had
lust finished q successful battle with q
vigorous FOUNDER, and was pre-
pairing TO cast his flies again, when the
sound of Il w0man's voice coming from
distance fell upon his ears. Looking
across the field he saw at the door Of
farmhouse dress fiuttering and Il
handkerchief waving in the air. He
gazed steadily at the figure, which, it
was evident, was reckoning to him.
lie started towards the house, and the
woman gave (, series Of mods and made
earnest gestures.
ct is evidently a case of distress, y
he thought, ''or she would not hail a
stranger that way"
A walk Of five minutes took him to
the farmhouse. The woman, who had
stepped within, emerged again as he
approached the door. She was about
30 years of age, and gave signs of
strong agitation.
..0h, sir, if it was not q case of life
or death / would not have troubled
You. There is sick child upstairs,
and | don't know but what dying.
| am all alone with her, and thought
perhaps YOU would be so kind as to go
for the mother
''Where is the mother?"
AT the school house a mile down
the road, where she teaches. You can
90 into the barn and hitch Il horse to
the buggy and drive. And oh, sir,
please, please be quick about If, for
her mother is the only one who can
quiet her"
''What is the matter with the child?''
asked DR.. Dudley.
Il hardly know. She has been sick
for i week, and today IS wild with a
high fever don't think there is any
time 20 lose"
The woman's face was appealing al
most to desperation. DR.. Dudley con
templatcd her with compassion break
mo through the steruueSs OF his beard
ed face, and said:
Let me see the child. l am physi-
clan"
"Oh, how fortunate. Perhaps you
will know exactly what To do.
She led the way to IN upper chamber
and DR.. Dudley followed her into the
sick-room. On the bed laya 3-year-old
Girl with flushed cheeks, and golden
curls strayin@ over the pillow The
eyes were closed. but the little form
was restless, aud low murmurS OF pain
came from the parted lips.
DR.. Dudley took hold Of the fevered
hand and directed at the child that
searching. comprehensive look which
the real physician is wont to bestow on
his patients.
Give me TWO tumblers of fresh
water" he said ut length, and when
these were produced he dropped a
small quantity of medicine into each.
With gentle and soothing touch he
changed the child's position and placed
a teaspoonful of the cool liquid be-
tween her lips. He then stood mo-
tiocless and watched his patient.
''What do you think?n asked the wo-
man timidly.
But DR.. Dudley's face suddenly as
sumed startled look. He gazed at
the patient searchingly. 'What a re-
Iemblancen he murmured under his
breath. Thus he stood for several
minutes, as if unconscious of the pres
ence of the woman, who at length re-
peated her inquiry.
Il beg your pardon" he exclaimed.
Il think | came just in time. The
child requires careful attention. What
is her mothers name?a
Mrs Murdoch. She is q widow
and my husbands neice. After hel
husbands death she came with US tC
board, and finally got a position in the
district school,
''Ah!" replied DR.. Dudley, who had
listened intently. ''Well there is nc
need Of frightening Mrs. Murdoch.
will go to the barn and get the horse
and buggy ready and you drive to the
school-house. Tell Mrs. Murdoch that
a physician is Watching her child.
do not like to leave just yet, for every
symptom must be watched.
The arrangementwas carried out anC
soon DR.. Dudley was alone with his pa.
tient. In the solitude of the sick-roon
he gave himself up to profound thought
something seeming to have awakened
within him 4 train of recollection.
1T must be she,' he said to himself
The child's face and the name make
it almost certain. How Will we meets
VIII she know me with nv Drowned
skin and full boards"
Meanwhile he administered medicine
at regular intervals, and soon had tn,
satisfaction of seeing the child sinl
Into a comparatively quiet slumber.
In half an hour the sound of APP
preaching wheels was heard. Dr.
Dudley sprang to the window anC
looked out eagerly. 1T is sher' h
exclaimed, and then he awaited tn
Young mothers arrival.
Mrs. Murdoch entered the room
hurriedly. She was wonderfully beauti
full, though anxious and agitated. :
white dress, above it a fair face wit
dark, magnificent eyes these wer
what any casual observer would hav
seen; but DR.. Dudley saw more. Scene
of the past came before him-of a tim
when the whole love of his earnes
heart had been poured out upon Leon