Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-11-11

Of complexion; but, ~recollecting at the
same time. her promise to be silent up
on the subject until Astrea should give
her leave to speak.
you are sure she doesn't dye her
hair:'
.Wbo-Sle, No. indeed. marse doc
TOR. I'm sarbain sure she doesn't.
What call she to dye her bootiful hair?
,Tain't grey, NOT likewise red. So why
dye
comprehend it, But now, my good wo-
man, | must giye you some directions
as to the treatment OF your patient
through the night" said the doctor,
and hereupon. he gave her the most
careful Instructions, TO which Venus
listened with the deepest attention.
and now. Ily girl, he said. as ne
took up his hat to &c. Il hope you I'M
derstand all THAT | have said to YOU
..Ebery single word. marse doctor,
sir-But please tell me, sir, when you
think de now marser an miSsus be
here!' inquired Venus. ~anxiously.
If they start immediately and come
by land. they may be here In eight or
ter days. If they come by water. the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers are boti
so Low that they may be three weeks
on the way. And If they delay thelr
departure there is no telling when they
Jhlay arrive"
7 With this answer. Venus had to be
satisfied: for the doctor immediately
left the house.
AStrea's illness was long and dan
-ercus. For eight days she lay hover
ing between life and ~death-and alter
mating between delirium and stupor.
The doctor came twice Il day ,and
taxed his utmost skill To save ner life.
Venus sat up with her every night ana
left her only for a few hours sleep
during the day. when the watch was
relieved by old Cybele.
Venus kept herself awake at night
with strong green tea.
On the evening of the eighth day the
doctor, standing looking over the pa
tient, said:
This night will decide her fate!
She will either awaken in the full pos
session of her senses. or she viii sink
into that coma that precedes DEATH.
And having given the nurse instruc-
ions how TO proceed in either event,
he took his leave.
Venus sat down beside the bed
where the awful struggle of life and
death was silently going on. And.
during that fearful night watch the
faithful creature scarcely once re-
moved her eyes from the sufferers
face.
Poor Venus, through watching and
caring for, and sympathiZing with As
trea. had come to love her best in all
the wGrld. And now she watched this
terrible crisis with something like the
intense anxiety that Il mother feels for
her sick child.
At midnight there was a change in
the patient; a cool and gentle perspir-
alton came out upon her forehead.
And the heart of Venus beat high with
hope, until she happened to think that
there was such II thing as death-damp
upon the brow of the dying, and this
might be ii. and her head sank with
fear. She listened for the patients
b~reathing-it was soft and deep. She
felt her pulse-it was quiet and regu-
lar. Venus heart rose again. While
the poor creature was undergoing
these agues and fevers of hope and
fear the night was slowly passing.
At length, when the nurse-lamp vas
going ont and the daylight was coming
in, Astrea calmly Enclosed her eyes,
and looked ut Venus.
Venus was too intensely excited 10
speak: she could only open her mouth
and hold her breath. She was afraid
to move, lest her slightest motion
might dissolve the charm of conval-
escence, and send her patient back in
TO the night of death.
At lenght, after s~erenely contem-
plating her nurse for n few minutes,
Astrea. ia a small, feeble, thread-like
voice, spoke. and said:
"EenuS-
THANK de Lor'w exclaimed tn ewo-
man.
.But. Venus"
And thank you, too, honey, for com
ing to lifer'
Eyes; bnt. Venus, how came | here?'
Here, honeyT'
Yes: here in this bed! Did you I'm
dress n put me hereT'
"Yes, honey; of course | did,
But why? Did l go to sleep while
sitting watching ia my chairy' she in
uulTtu, StTlNluS 10 recall the events III
the last night of her consciousness
then, with sudden thought but imper-
SCI memory, she exclaimed. 'Uh.
heaven! / remember! l remember
Now. don't you 20 for 'stIrb your
mind, chile. Thank de Lor' as you're
alive.."
II remember. / remember! When
the wicked a wrested the dagger
from my hand, and had me at mis-
mercy, | tainted with horror
Venus, who most distinctly remem-
bered that Astrea had done anything
else but faint. upon the occasion re-
ferrcd to. now opened her eyes with
establishment.
Yes: l remember quite well thai
my heart stopped heating, my eyes
failed and lost consciousness. / can
remember nothing after that. Oh, We
ms, what happened next? The mar
left the room without further modest.
ing me, did he not? Bad as he was.
he would not injure a helpless. swoon-
ing womani oh, answer Venus, he
left the room. did he notY'
Yes, honey, ecrtney, to be sure he
did, Immediate" replied Venus. I.ho
supposed it would be the correct thing
TO agree TO all her patient said.
And then you undressed me and put
me TO bedY'
Eyes. honey; that l did. good