San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-03-11
MERLE'S CRUSADE.
BY ROSA NAUCHETTE CAREY.
Author of Barbara Hedthcote's Trial."
"Queenie's Within" "The Search

rather lie awake and listen to my boys
breathing he is sleeping nicely, Merle"
Yes, indeed there is no need for anx-
iety now, and / am watching him care
fully"
"Oh, can trust you" with faint
smile: 81 trusted you from the first mo-
ment. But, my poor girl l am afraid you
are very tired. aud have taken your bed
from you"
II would rather see you resting there,
Mrs. Morton"
DO you think you could read to me a
little? My husband often reads to me
when | am nervous and cannot sleep.
Anything will do, the simplest child's
story; it is just the sound of the voice that
soOthes me. What is that book? Oh, the
Bible! am afraid I do not read that
enough. have so little time to myself,
and then am often too tired"
at is just the book for tired people,"
returned; 'if you want story. l think
the history of Ruth is one of the most
touching; she has always seemed to me
one of the sweetest characters in the BIZ
BILE; it is perfect idyl of Oriental life"
at is so long since I have read it," she
returned alphabetically; you shall read
it to me if you like" And I read the
whole book throughout to her. only paus-
ing now and then to look at Reggie.
She listened to it without interruptiGg
me once, but | was rejoiced to see that the
strained expression had passed out of her
eyes; they looked more natural.
You are right, Merle" she observed,
when had finished, lit is very beautiful
and touching: that was something like
love, Where thou gOest | will GO Now
you may read me psalm, if You are not
tired. like your voice, it is SO clear and
quiet"
read to her until she babe me stop:
and then we talked little. told her an
incident or two in my schoOl-dayS about
our nutting expeditions in the Luttrell
woods, and how one of our party had
strayed and had encountered q gypsy car
AVIAN. was just in the middle of Rose
Mervyn's recital, when heard measured
breathing She had fallen asleep.
| saw a great deal of Mrs Morton dur
ing the next few days. She was very I'M
well, and DR.. Myrtle insisted on her giving
up all her engagements for a week. He
spoke very decidedly, and Mr.. Morton was
obliged to yield to his opinion; but he
seemed q llCCle put out.
1T is such pity all those people should
be disappointed" he observed, in a grum-
bling voice. Mrs. Granville had quite
set her heart on having us both on Thurs
day. knew how it would be when you
fretted yourself ill last night"
81 could not help it," she pleaded. AN
dersOn gave me such a fright; of course,
he thought his coming for me was the
best, but when | saw his face | thought |
should have dieG with fear"
Nonsense. Violet; you ought to learn
more selfcontrOl; you know | dislike to
see you give way 50 entirely. Well, we
must abide by Dr. Myrtles orders, and
treat you as au invalid"
But, Alick," OBTAINING him as he was
turning away, not in the best of humors,
as l could see from the night nursery; 81
can write for you all the same; the library
is quite warm"
How absurdn was the reply. "Do You
think l should let you tire yourself for
me? hope am not quite so selfish, my
dear child" for she was still holding his
arm beseechingly. you must really let
me go, for l am dreadfully busy; rest
yourself and get well, that is all ask Of
He was not often hasty with her, but he
was overwOrked and irritable.
We made the most of that week between
us Reggie soon recovered, and as long
as he was kept in certain temperature,
and carefully watched, gave us no further
anxiety.
His mother took entire charge of him
during that week; she came up to the
nursery as soon as she was dressed, and
stayed with us until Reggie was in bed
and Travers came to summon her. She
even took her meals with us. DR., Myrtle
thought she was suffering from a chill,
and the warm nursery was just the right
temperature for her. 1t was lovely sight
to watch her with her children. | think
even Mr. Morton was struck by the beauty
of the scene when he came up one after
noon and found her sitting in her easy
chair with Reggie on her lap and Joyce
standing beside her.
You seem all very happy together" he
said, as he took up his position on the rug.
had retreated with my work into the
other rOom but could hear her answer
distinctly.
"Oh, Alick, it has been such a happy
week-a real holiday it was worth being
ill; to see 50 much of the children; Reggie
has such pretty WAYS; l knew so little
about him before. He can say 'fada' quite
plainly"
Indeed. my boy, then suppose you say
your new words"
DO you know what | have been wish
ing all this week." she continued, when
Reggie had finished his vocabulary, and
had been taken into his fathers arms.