Middletown transcript., 1892-12-08

4
ed scornfuIly at her, and said to Mrs
Brown There's no time for non
sense bring me some cold water and
bandages at once, and send somebody
! to the hotel for DIR. Chester's small
case of surgical instruments, ts"
Mrs. Smith, left to herself, soon re-
| covered, and insisted upon an explain
alton of the affair.
It's nothing serious, | hope,
have accidently sent a charge of shot
into this young lady's arm. Are you
her mother p
6 No, indeed, she is a poor depen-
dent creature that we've taken in fDT
charity's sake a niece of mine, and
what I'm to do with her now | can
see. | cant take care of her, and in
deed, sir, it's mighty inccnvenient to
have her laid up just at this time
She is very necessary to my comfort
| need sight of care and waitin' oD,
night and day."
Well, madam, she'll need sight
of care and waitin' on herself now
for while, and must have it."
By this time the young girl reviv-
ed again under the vigorous treatment
she received, and the instruments
were brought to him.
Nov, madam, will you tell me where
to take this young lady, for she must
be put 10 bed at once"
Well, she sleeps in little closet
off my room
That will never do. Show me
the largest, best room you have in the
house" Taking Meta gently in his
arms, the doctor followed Mrs. Smith
up stairs TO large pleasant chamber.
She groaned in spirit as she turned
down the white counterpart, and as
sisted the doctor in getting Meta un-
dressed and in bed but be was not
to be trlhed with at such time.
Now. madam, | will excuse you, but
let Mrs Brown bring me plenty Of
warm water and soft, old linen, end
remain to assist me. And | want
servant close at hand to get whatever
else | may require while dressing the
arm"
1t was a terrible hour for Meta
while he he probed each wound and
removed the shot that were deeply
imbedded in the tender flesh. For
tunately no bone was broken, and at
last it was neatly bandaged with soft
linen and wet with healing lotion,
and she fell asleep. Mrs Brown
proved an efficient helper; and as they
passed quietly out Of the room tie
doctor said :
NV patient must have The hest i
care aud attention. Cou'I you S 4.
and nurse her awhile 7"
Yes, might
Very vel; | will pay you we'll il
you will do it, for every thing will de-
pend upon keeping her quiet how.
He met Mrs. Smith III the hall.
9 Madam, this woman has con-
sented to stay and lake care OF your
niece, and | will see that she is well
paid for it. But mind what 1 say
you must not see her, nor must any
one else see her but Mrs. Brown and
myself for a week at least, for she
will have serious time of it at the
best. | regret it exceeding, more
than can tell you, that have been
the cause of all this suffering, and
will do my best to have her about
again as soon as possible P" So say
ing, the doctor wished them good-day,
and soon disappeared from their view.
well, now, if that isn't cool F!
And what am | to do all this time 2
groaned Mrs. Smith, rocking herself
in her great arm chair.
/" And my best spare room, too! Say,
did he muss everything up dressing
that arm ?"
90 no he was very careful about
that"
"Well, that's eomtort any way.
To think | should have such trouble
with that girl just when | needed her
most! | think it very mysterious dis
pensation Of Providence. 7"
The next morning the doctor found
Meta in high fever, moaning with
pain and delirious. The arm was
badly swollen and inAamed, and
altogether her case had assumed a
very alarming aspect, He did not go
hunting or fishing that day, but stay
ed by her bedside administering medi-
cine with his own hand and doing
everything in his power for her re-
lief. He was greatly distressed over
the accident, and inwardly vowed he
would never fire off another gun as
long as he lived.
But what a revelation Of toll, hard
shin. and cruel wrong the uncon-
scious Meta made in her delirium !
She fancied the doctor, as he bathed
her hot head and hands and soothed
her as he would child. was her
mother, and she drew his head close