Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-12-14

mind found myself marveling at the
sustained fury of the storm.
At II o'clock at night | sadly gave
ND all hope of the much-needed assist
ance arriving. After all, it seemed that
William had found it impossible to light
against the weather; SO | made my
preparations for another night of solitary
watchfulness. | was all but worn out
with fatigue: yet / dared not sleep. Ii
the mania returned, what might happen
were l not at hand to restrain Philippa's
actions? My hope that the madness had
really left my patient, not, it she were
properly treated, to return, was grow
ing one, but not yet strong enough to
allow me to leave her for any length
of time.
My delight may then be imagined
when, looking for the hundredth time up
the road. saw close at hand two flash
ing lights. and knew that William, the
faithful, had done my bidding. In a
few minutes two respectable women
from one Of the best OF the London nurs-
ing institutions, were within my walls.
The train had of course been late, very
late. At one or two places on the line
it had almost given up the battle, and
settled down quietly until dug out; but
steam and iron had conquered, and at
last it did get to Roding. There vii.
liam, knowing my dire necessity, offered
such magnificent bride that he soon
found an enterprising carriage proprle-
tor who was willing to make the at
tempt to force two horses and car
rage over the six miles of road between
Roding and my house. The attempt
was successful although the rate of pro-
erosion was slow; and William tri-
umphantly ushered his charges into my
presence.
After giving them time for rest and re-
freshment, explained the nature Of the
case, set out the treatment l wished to
be adopted, and then led them to Philips
pa | left the poor girl in their charge
for the night, then went to take the sleep
of which | stood SO much in need.
But before going to bed / saw Will
liam / dreaded to hear him say what
grdesome sight he had seen that morn
ing; yet / was bound to learn if the
deed had yet been made public.
'Did you manage to get to Rodlng
all right this morning?" I asked with as
sumed carelessness
II managed all right, SIR said Will
liam, cheerfully.
"Snow deep on the road?v
mot SO deep as | fancied 'twould be.
All drifted and blown up to one side,
like. / never seen such thing. Drift
must have been feet deep this morning.
What must it be now, [ wonder? Some
thing like the arctic regions, l should
think, sir!''
For the first time for hours and hours,
ray of hope flashed across me. Viii
liam had walked that lonely road this
morning, and noticed nothing except the
drifted snow | remember how | had
placed the dead man in the little hollow
at the bottom of the bank. Could it be
that the kindly, merciful snow, which
have already described as beginning to
form in a winding-sheer, had hidden and
buried him? That pure white, shape
less heap, which told no tales, concealed
for awhile the dark deed from the world
Oh that Philippa were well enough to
leave this place tomorrow We might
fly and leave no trace behind u.s. She
might never know what she had done in
her madness. The fearful secret would
be mine alone. A burden it would be,
but one which I might easily. find
strength enough to bear. Bear it!
could bear it, and be happy; for some
thing told me that, could | but save her
from the peril which menaced her, Philip
pa and / would part no more in this
world until death, the only conqueror of
such love as mine. swept us asunder.
Once more looked out into the night.
Still the snowfiakes whirled down. Oh,
brave, kind snow! Fall, fall fall! Pile
the masses on the dead wretch. Hide
him deep in your bosom. Fall for weeks.
for months, forever! Save my love and
me!