The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-04-25
RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY, Md APRIL

and Isabel began to look forward to her
Mr.. Falconer had written to Mrs. Stanford
explaining their reasons for the change in
their plans, and had received from he1
hearty congratulations and commentator
ofthe proposed visit. The time was Low
near at hand, and the preparations nearly
completed for the trip, when Mr.. Falconei
came home with deeply flushed face, and
with wild, restless look in his eyes, very
unusual with him; for some days past Isa
bel had noticed that he did not seem in his
usual spirits. but had attributed the fact tc
some slight indispositRn.
"Are you sick, Mr.. Falconer," she said
in alarm, as he sat looking moodily into the
fire; it was now November.
~ do not know" he replied, passing his
hand over his forehead wearily. ''l have
had headache for several days, and il
feels SO strange o-day; as if there were a
humble bee in it."
"Let me bathe it for you," she said, bring
ing a bottle of cologne.
She stood by his side and bathed his head
in the refreshing liquid until he fell into q
restless slumber, and she noted that his
breathing was hurried and uneven.
ut is a severe cold he has TAKEN" she
whispered to herself, endeavoring to .uiet
her own uneasiness; his entrance into his
home was always SO genial and kindly that
she was the more alarmed by this strange
moody arrival.
He awoke with start. stWhere am I9''
he cried, wildly.
"Here, my husband, at home," she replied
gently.
"Ohl yes, at home; home is where love is
Isabel" he cried, more wildly than he had
yet spoken, edo you love me2 have loved
you with all the strength of my strong man.
hood, and waited patiently for your love-
In her terror and excitement Isabels IN
herent truthfulness was still predominant,
and she answered him gently: you wish
me to tell you the truth, do you not?"
"Yes, yes, the truth" he said, fretfully.
"Then will say that 1 do not know" she
answered, still smoothing his hair and brow
with her white hand; "my feelings are SO
mingled with gratitude and respect that
actually can not tell whether love has en-
tered into my heart or not. honor and re,
spect you above all men, my husband"
Eyes, always honor and respect" he
muttered, irritably, in tone so foreign to
any that he had ever used toward her that
her alarm increased every moment; ire
u
as he spoke he settled back into doze
Isabel few to the hail, and calling Mrs
Montford, begged her to send Tom for DR..
Conroy at once
My DEAR" she said, soothingly, placing
her hand on his arm as he again awolze
with nervous start, ''you had better go
to bed and rest, and you will feel better in
the morning"
He brushed her hand from his arm with
a gesture of repusion. "Don't call me dear
l want no hypocrisy" he said, harshly.
"But you are dear; the dearest friend /
have in the world,' and the tears almost
choked her as she spoke.
''Oh, FRIEND eh" He spoke sneeringly,
with bitter laugh, the terrible laugh of a
man who is not himself.
"Won't you go to beda" she asked him,
pleadingly.
ITO bed!' He looked at her with his heavy
eyes, from which the light of reason was
fast departing. "What should go to bee
for! A business man has no time for day
snoozing. Where's my hats" and he strug-
gled to get away from her detain ng grasp
Happily, DR.. Conroy was near at hand,
and with Mrs. Montford now appeared i'll
the door, to Isabel's intense relief.
The doctors experience taught him how
to deal with the SICK man, ana he soon sue
ceeded in getting him into bed and under
the influence OF powerful remedies.
'What do you think of him?" said Isabel,
as she followed DR.. Conroy into the hall, her
eyes moist with tears, and heart sinking
with apprehension.
He is very sick man, Mrs. Falconer"
he replied, gravely; sit would be a useless
kindness to pretend any thing else He
shows every indication of having entered n
fierce struggle for life, and all we can do is
to hope and pray tor the BEST" and pressing
her hand in his with unspoken sympathy,
he turned and left her, the hot tears stream
ing from her eyes and her heart lifted in
prayer as it never had been before for help
in this her hour of urgent need.