Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-15
CHAPTER "

The night wore through slowly, anu
Mrs. Hauksbee dozed by the fire. There
was dance at the Viceregal Lodge. and
she dreamed Of it till she was aware Of Mrs.
Bent's anxious eyes starting into her own.
WAKE up! Wake mp! Do something d"
cried Mrs. Bent, piteously. Dora's choking
to death, Do YOU mean TO let her dlep"
Mrs. Hauksbee jumped 10 her feet and
bent over the bed. The child was fighting
for breath. while the mother wrung her
hands III despair.
"Oh, what can do? What can you do 2
She won't stay still | can't hold her.
Why didn't the Doctor say this was
coming % screamed Mrs. Bent. Wont
you help me2 She's dying.
1--WE never seen child die before! J"
stammered Mrs. Hauksbee feebly, and
then-let no one blame her weakness after
the strain of long watching-she broke
down and covered her face with her hands.
There was rattle Of 'rickshaw wheels
below, the clash of an opening door, a
heavy step on the stairs, and Mrs. Delvllie
entered TO find Mrs. Bent screaming for
the doctor as she ran around tho room;
Mrs. Hauksbee, her hands TO her ears and
her face buried in the chintZ of chair,
was quivering with pain at each cry from
the bed. and murmuring: on, THANK
God, have never borne child Thank
God, I never bore a child"
Mrs. Delville looked at the bed for On
instant. took Mrs. Bent by the shoulders,
and said quietly: " Get me some caustlc.
BE quickl"
The mother obeyed mechanically. Mrs.
Delville had thrown herself down by the
side of the child and was opening its
mouth.
"Oh, you're killing her!" cried Mrs.
Bent. "Where's the Doctor? Leave her
alone!"
Mrs. Delville made no reply for minute,
but busted herself with the child.
Now the caustic, and hold a lamp be-
hind nv shoulder. Will you do rs YOU are
told? The acid bottle, if you don't know
what mean" she said.
A second TIME Mrs: Delville bent over
the child. Mrs. Hauksbee, her face still
hidden, sobbed and shivered. One Of the
ayahs staggered sleepily into tho room
yawning: doctor Sahib hal
Mrs. Delville turned her head.
You're only Just in time" she said.
at was chokin' her when | cam an I've
burnt it,"
There was no sign of the membrane
getting TO the air-passage after the last
steaming. 1t was the general weakness, l
feared" said the Doctor. half to himself.
and he whispered as he looked. You've
done what / should have been afraid to do
without consultation"
"She was dyin'," said Mrs. Delville.
under her breath. Can you do anythin' ?
What a mercy it was L went to the
dance.n
Mrs. Hauksbee raised her head.
" Is il all over?" she gasped. Pm use
loss! Pm worse than useless! What are
you dong here?"
She stared at Mrs. Delville, and Mrs.
Bent, realizing for the first time who
was the Goddess from the Machine. stared
also.
Then Mrs. Delville made explanation,
putting on o dirty. long glove, and
dress.
81 was Mt the dance, an the Doctor was
tellin me about your baby bein' so i'll. SO
came away early, an your door was open,
an I-I-l0st my boy this way six months
ago; an Jve been tryin' to forget it ever
since, an I-I-I-am very sorry for in
trudin' an anythin' that has happened"
Mrs. Bent was putting out the Doctors eye
with lamp as he stopped over Dora.
Take it away" said the Doctor.
think the child will do, thanks to you. Mrs.
Delville. / should have come too late. but
assure you'll had not the faintest reason
to expect this. The membrane must have
grown like mushroom. VIII one Of you
ladies help me, please?"
He had reason for bis concluding SEN
tence. Mrs. Hauksbee had thrown herself
INTO Mrs. Delville's arms. where she was
weeping copiously, and Mrs. Bent was un-
picturesquely mixed up with both. while
from the triple tangle came the sound of
many sobs aud much promiscuous kiss
ing.
"Good graciousI I've spoiled all your
beautiful roses A" said Mrs. Hauksbee, lift
ing her head from the lump OF crushed
gum and calico atrocities on Mrs. Del
villes shoulder aud hurrying to the Doc
tor.
Mrs. Delville picked up her shawl and
slouched out of the room. hopping her
eyes with the gloves that she had not put
on.
Il always said she was moro than a
woman" sobbed Mrs. Hauksbee hysteri-
cally, and that proves it,"