Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-15


slightly form. And she said that,
though he had conquered the outward
expression of such recoiling, she was
sure he still felt the same repulsion in
manhood.
She would show Laura the portfolio
of crayon portraits Max had made Of
his fair betrothed; and Laura, half
pleased, half saddened, saw her own
beautiful face in many varied ex-
pressions. Now, sad it was
madonna; now laughing, a nymph;
now, with inspired eyes, a st, Cecilia;
till it became painfully apparent to
Laura that, for her great beauty, more
than ought else, Max had given her his
love.
The second week of Max Creighton's
departure was passing, when his
mother was taken i'll with a feverish
attack, that seemed slight. Laura had
been helping Mrs. Hilton in some of
the interminable shopping, and had
not seen her dear old friend for three
days, when, one morning. Rosa burst
into her room full of bad news.
Laura" she cried, "you are certain
ly the luckest girl in the world. To
think you should have stayed away
from Mrs. Creighton's now all timesr'
Laura looked up inquiringly.
She has got the SIN all-pox."
'Rosan' cried Laura, turning very
pale; ''are you sure?"
Il saw Doctor Craige this morning.
All the servants have left the house,
and he is trying to have nurse sent
rol,
day, they will have to take Mrs. Creigh-
ton to the city and put her in the
hospital!"
Not while I can nurse her!'' Laura
cried, hastily gathering some articles
of dress together, and packing sachel.
Il will 90 now. OF course, l can not
return, Rosa"
But you will catch it! You will
dien' Rosa cried, bursting into tears;
land mamma is out, gone to New York
by nine o'clock train, and won't be
back till evening. Oh, Laura, don't
go! Wait till mamma comes, at any
rate.
II must go now" said Laura, firmly,
Mrs. Creighton may be even now
dying for want of nurse. l can not
wait, Rosa. There, don't CRY SO, dear.
l have been vaccinated. you know, and
may not catch the disease"
Yes, you will, and be all spotted
and Scared and a perfect fright.
What will Max say to that? You shall
not 60"
But Laura had packed her wrapper
and slippers, and what other articles
seemed useful and necessary, and was
rapidly dressing herself for the street.
her very lips pale, but perfectly reso-
Lutte in their firm pressure. She kissed
Rosa again and again, as her little
cousin clung to her sobbing and en-
treating; and then with a loving
message to her aunt, she started upon
her errand. Her arrival was none too
soon. The frightened servants had left
the house open and in dire confusion,
and the invalid was tossing in delirious
fever, and frightened at her own wild
fancies.
1t was too late for the kind-hearted
physician to demonstrate, and he could
only recommend some prudent pre-
cautions, and be heartily thankful that
his patient was in such good care. For,
as the days wore on, Mrs. Creighton
drew very near the border of eternity,
and there was long interval when the
shadow of the death angels wings
lowered in the room. Rnt she rallied
and as the fever fancies passed she
knew Laura, and knew the generous
love that had brought her to her side.
There was little doubt the doctor
told her, that the removal to the city
hospital would have been fatal and she
would surely have died of neglect in
her own home but for the heroic i'm
pulse that had brought her nurse to
her."
rise Laura sickened. The young girl
was not dangerously i'll, but during the
fever she had no one to watch her as she
had watched her friend, and she tore
her poor face in delirium when there
was no cooling lotion to alleviate the
torturing burning and itching.
The months of absence We're nearly
over, and Max was coming home
Laura had never left Mrs Creighton
during the four months that followed
her illness; and Max, detained by bust
ness, was comforted by thinking of the
two he loved best on earth together
and restored to health. But now,
when the soft Spring airs were blow
ing, Max was coming home. Mrs.
Creighton had received telegram
from New York announcing the arrival
of the steamer.
The 6 o'clock train came putting up
to the station; and Max Creighton,
springing to the platform, ran to the
carriage in waiting, too eager to get
home to note closely yelled lady in
black, who took her place in the train,
and was carried forward with it.
His mother was in the drawing room,
and after long and close embrace.
Max looked for Laura
"Where is Laura, mother?' he asked.
Il can not wait to see her and thank
her that | have not come back to find
my home desolate-to thank her that |
I'M not motherless."
'She will be here presently, Max.
Sit down, my son, while l keep my
promise to her, and tell you to prepare
for a great shock"
'She is distigured he said in a low
voice.
Terribly! Her face is deeply SCARED
and deep red, while her eyes are
slightly drawn down or the cheek and
bloodshot. All her hair is gone, and
she wears a close cap"
las if needed to be prepared for such
a change" Max said, with quivering
voice-''as if the face of the woman to
whom 1 owe my mothers life would
not be the face of an angel to me, how