Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-06-15

said the doctor. "Do you think Won had
better leave her alone, especially now that
Jeanette is goneg
i must 60 !" said Mrs Bolton, with a lit,
tie SILVER. 81 couldn't breathe the same
air that she breathes any longer"
But she had scarcely settled herself in .
picturesque little Queen Anne cottage in
the village, few miles away. when Dr
Wyndham one day drove up to her door.
Miss Bolton is very i'll, " said he. "Yitb
every indication of brain fever"
Il presume you can get her a nurse from
the Serena Sisterhood, " said Mrs Bolton
coldly
Inc doctor waited IA few moments, He
had been very fond of Beatrfx as child
and still retained a strong sympathy for
her forlorn estate
"Ihey may say what they like" he de-
clared to himself, but they'll not get me
70 believe anything against Gerald Boil
toms daughter"
DO you mean," said he aloud, "that
you will not go to herr"
Il could notp' said Mrs. Bolton firmly.
u know what you are thinking Of" said
the doctor But it's all nonsensel She
loved Willie as well as you did"
! she is Willies-murderessp said Mrs,
| Bolton, her voice falling to a shuddering
whisper
Il gave you credit for some common
sense" said he
Dr. Wyndham closed the door with con-
siderable emphasis as he went out.
The next evening, rs Mrs. Bolton sat in
the dusk, musing on the perpetual topic of
her thOngbts-her dead and buried child
shadow came up the path.
why, Jeanette, is it your" said Mrs
Bolton, recognizing Beatrix's old nurse.
TITS me, ma'am," said Jeanette, drop
ping stiff little courtesy. "Pve just come
from Giencarron. Miss Beatrix is very i'll.
The doctor says she may die"
willie died, said Mrs. Bolton nervous.
ly, clasping her hands together
Yes, that's it ma'am," said Jeanette
and even in the moonlight she could see
that the old woman's face was ashy pale.
'She thinks she's rocking for master VIII.
lie somewhere, and can't find hinl-and it's
enough to break ones heart to hear her
calling 'Williel Williep all the time"
Mrs. Bolton was silent The old woman
fell on her knees at her mistress feet.
"Oh, ma'am," she walled, "can nothing
soften your heart toward Miss Beatrixy"
Nothing" Mrs Bolton answered in
frozen accents.
Then" said Jeanette, with a sort of |
desperation, 81 must tell you ALL 1t was
| that did itv'
Did whatg"
THAT took away the dear child's medi |
cine bottle! Oh, ma'am, never meant it
you know | never would have harmed a |
hair OF the darling's headl But came in |
softly, not to disturb Miss Beatrix. that /
day; her head was on the pillow, beside |
the Daby's, and her eyes were closed and |
when had hung the fresh towels on the
rail, l took up what thought was hand.
tul OF loose wrapping paper from the table
and when flung it in the sewing room
CRATE l heard something crack-and it was
Master Willie's medicine bottle! And Of
course when there was such search and
uproar, daren't for my life own how care
less had been and when the dear child
died"-
There came a little choking sob into her
throat, but she recovered herself and went
on:
"Yes, ma'am, I've been "A base coward
made some excuse and went
that very day, sooner than to hear the re-
proach l deserved. But never Thought
they'd blameit upon her-upon Miss Bea,
lrix, who loved Master Willie like her own
and when heard she was sick ] came to
her at once-my own dear nursling-and
then knew all the mischief had done"
Mrs. Bolten had sprang to her feet.
Call Johnson she cried. Tell him to
BRING the carriage at once. | must 20 to
beatrix-to poor, poor Beatrix, whom /
nave treated so cruelty. And IL she dies
ler blood will be on my hands--on mine
md yours, JeannetteT
The old woman sharnk beneath Mrs
Bottoms eyes.
"You can't think any worse of me than
h1nk OF myself. ma'am," said she pit
,ously.
And through all the tedious weeks of
hat wearisome brain fever Mrs. Bolton
over Beatrix like tender. brood
ng angel, and the first thing the girl recog.
lized with the dawn of returning CON
ciousness was her stepmother's loving
ace
"Beatrix-my darlingp' she murmured.
Thank heaven that you are spared to usl
-hank heaven that ! can ask your forgive
ess for all my cruel wordsl Sweet, do You 1
what sayY"
soft brightness stole into Beatrix's
yes, happy smile wreathed her pale lips
MammaW she murmured; and then She
rlfted into that first sound slumber, so c
ln of healing balm, that follows on the \
rack OF burning fever and bridges the
ath to health
Old Jeanette remained only long enough
be certain that her young mistress was
n the road TO recovery, and then crept
ientiy away to end her days in solitary
sh1ng village on the coast Of Maine 81
ever could look Miss Beatrix in the face
GAIN" she said
But Beatrix smiled when the words were *
peated To her. -
She need not be afraid, said she. 81 am
happy now that | could never blame any
Ior soul who was less fortunate"
Happy Beatrix?"
HAPPY IN your love and trust, mamma.
Apply that yoH believe in me once more. y =
And the first walk that Mrs. Bolton and
eatrix took together was to Law white
sc buds on Hftia willie ,rr,, L. Il