Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-27
CHAPTER Ix.-BERENGARIA.

prisoner to the house. The end OF April
had been unusually chilly, and one cold
rainy night Reggie was taken with an at
tack of Group.
1t was very severe attack, and for an
hour or two my alarm was excessive.
Mrs Morton was at a faucy ball, and Mr..
Morton vas attending late debate, and,
to add to my trouble, rs. Garnett, who
would ut once have cone to my assistance,
was confined to her bed with slight ill
ness
Travers had 10 experience in these
cases, and her pr, was perfectly use
less Hannah, + tened and half awake
Us he was, wa ( more helpful. Happi-
Iy, Anderson ds still up, and he under
took at once to go for the doctor, adding,
of his own accord, that he would go round
to the stables on his return, and send the
carriage off for his mistress. She is not
expected home until three aud it is only
half past one, but she would never forgive
us il she were not fetched as quickly as
possible"
thanked Anderson, and begged Han
nah to repienish the bath with hot water.
Happily, knew what remedies to use;
my former experience in my school-fel-
lows nursery proved useful to me now.
i remembered how the doctor had ap-
proved of what had done, and resolved
to do exactly the same for Reggie. Fright
enel as | was, | am thankful to know my
fears did not impede my usefulness; | did
all | could to relieve my darling, and
Hannah seconded my efforts. | am sure
Travers wished with all her heart to
help us. but she had no nerve. and her
lamentable voice made me a trifie impa-
tient.
1t was great relief when Anderson ap-
peared with DR.. Myrtle. He waited for
few minutes, to hear from the doctor that
all danger had been averted by the
prompt remedies, and then he went in
search of Stephenson. 1t was some time
before we heard the sound of carriage
wheels
Reggie was still wrapped in a blanket
on my lap, and had just fallen asleep,
worn out by the violence of the remedies
still more than by the attack. DR.. Myrtle
whispered TO me not to move, as he would
speak to Mrs. Morton downstairs and
enforce on her the need of quiet. 1t would
have been grievous to wake the exhausted
little creature, and l was quite content to
sit holding him in my lap until morning,
if DR.. Myrtle thought it was well for me
to do so.
had forgotten all about the fancy ball,
and my start when / saw Mrs. Morton
standing in the doorway almost woke
Reggie. l really thought for a moment
that l was dreaming. l learned after
ward that she had taken the character of
Berengaria wife of the lion-hearted Rich
ard, but for the moment l was too con-
fused to identify her. She was dressed in
dark-blue velvet, and her gown and man.
tie were trimmed with ermine; she wore a
glittering belt that looked as though it
were studded with brilliauts, and her
brown hair hung in loose braids and
plaits under a gold coronet. As she swept
noiseiessly toward us, / could see the tears
were running down her cheeks, and her
bosom was heaving under the ermine.
"Oh. Merlel'' she whispered. in a voice
of agony, as she knelt down beside Us.
''te think NV how was in danger. ard his
mother was decked out in this foe 5 GARD;
it makes me sick only to remember it;
oh, my baby, my babyv' and size leaned
her head against my arm and sobbed, not
loudly, but with the utmost bitterness.
Dear Mrs. Norton" | returned, gently,
''it was not your fault, no one could have
foreseen this. Reggie had a little cold.
but thought it was nothing. Oh, what
are you doing2" for she had actually kissed
me. not once, but twice.
Let me do it. Merle" returned my
sweet mistress: Il am so grateful to you,
and so will my husband be when he knows
all. DIR. Myrtle says he never saw nurse
who understood her duties so well; every
thing had been done for the child before
| he came"
ooh. Aunt Agatha, if only you and I'm
Gle Keith had heard thatt'
We had talked in whispers, but nothing
seemed to disturb Reggie. A moment af-
ter Mr. Morton came hurriedIy into the
nursery; he was very pale aud discom-
posed, and sort of shock seemed to pass
over him as he saw his wife.
Violet" he whispered, as she chung to
! him in a passion of weeping, this has IN
nerved you, but indeed DR.. Myrtle says
our boy will do well. My darling, viii
You no. try TO comfort yourselfy''
II was al Lady SIS bail when Muriel,
our precious haby-oh. you remember,
| Alickn-for she seemed unable to so on.
! Poor woman! no wonder her tears flowed
| at such a memory. Mrs. LIarnett told me
/ reluctantly, when L questioned her the
| next day, that baby Muriel had been tax
/ en- with nit when Mrs. Morton and her
/ husband were at a ball, and the mother
had only arrived in time to see the infant
| breathe its last
| Eyes, yes he said, soothing her. '.but
nothing could have saved her, you know.
/ Doctor Myrtle told you so; and you were
only spared the pain of seeing her suffer.
| Try to be sensible about it, my dearest,
| our baby has been i'll, but everything has
been done for him; and now he is relieved,
poor little fellow. We have to thank you