Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-23

But"
"But what?" l asked, quickly.
"NCthirg, eccellcnza, Only the old
man said the doctor had come too late =
| My heart sunk heavily. and a sob
rose in my throat. l stopped in my
rapid walk and babe VincenZO call a
carriage, one of the ordinary vehicles
that are everywhere standing about
for hire in the principal thoroughfares
# Naples. | sprung into this and told
the driver to take me as quickly as
ccssible to the Villa Romani, and
1Gding to Vincenzo that l should not
return to the hotel all day l was soon
rafting along the uphill road. On my
arrival at the villa [ found the gates
open, as though in expectation of my
visit, and as I approached the en-
trance door of the house Giacomo him
self net me.
How is the child?" I asked him
eagerly.
He made no reply, but shook his
head gravely, and pointed to kindly
looking man who was at that moment
descending the stairs-a man whom
instantly recognized as a celebrated
English doctor resident in the neigh
| LOrhood. To him | repeated my in
quIry-he Deckoned me into side
room and closed the door.
The fact is" he said, simply, 'tit is
a case of gross neglect. The child has
evidently been in a weakly condition
/ for some time past and therefore is an
easy prey to any disease that may be
| lurking about. She was naturally
| strong-I can see that-and had | been
called in when the symptoms first de-
veloped themselves, l could have cured
her. The nurse tells me she dared not
enter the mothers room to disturb her
after midnight, otherwise she would
have called her to see the child-it is
urfortune, for now | can do nothing"
! / listened like one in a dream. Not
even old AsSunta dared to enter her
mistress's room after midnight-no!
not Though the child might be seriously
i'll and suffering / knew the reason
Well-too WE'LL And so while Ferrari
had taken his fill of rapturous
embraces and lingering farewells, my
! little one had been allowed to struggle
! in rain and fever without her mothers
care or comfort. Not that such con-
ISOLATION would have been much at it's
BEST but l was fool enough to wish
there had been this one faint spark of
WomanhoOd left in her upon whom |
had wasted all the first and only love
of my life. The doctor watched me as
| remained silent, and after a pause he
81 oke again.
''The child has earnestly asked to
see you he said, and l persuaded the
| countess to send for you, though she
was very reluctant to do so, as she
said you might catch the disease. Of
course there is always a risk
Il am no coward, monsieur ] inter-
rupted him, though many of us
Italians prove but miserable panic
stricken wretches in time of plague
the more especially when compared
with the intrepidity and pluck of Eng
lishmen Still there are exceptions
The doctor smiled courteously and
| bowed Then I have no more to say,
except that it would be we'll for you to
see my little patient at once. l am
| compelled to be absent for half an
| hour, but at the expiration of that time
| will return
Stay" I said, laying a OBTAINING
hand on his arm. is there any
hope?"
He eyed me gravely. Il fear not
Can nothing be done?'
Nothing-except TO keep her as
quiet and warm as possible. L have
left some medicine with the nurse
which will alleviate the pain l shall
be able to judge of her better when [
return: the illness will have then
reached it's crisis" In a couple of
minutes more he had left the house,
and young maid-servant showed me
to the nursery.
Where is the contessa?" I asked in
q whisper, as I trod softly up the
stairs.
1.-THE contessa?" said the girl open
ing her eyes in establishment. "In her
own bedroom, eccellenza-madama
would not think of leaving it; because
of the danger of Infection
involuntarily to my lips Another
proof of the wCmans utter heartless-
ness, thought!
, Has she not seen her chi1d?'
Since the illness? Oh, no, eccel-
lenza,"
, Very gently and on tiptoe l entered
, the nursery. The blinds were partially
drawn as the strong light worried the
child, and by the little white bed sat
: Assunta, her brown face pale and al
, most rigid with anxiety. At my ap-
preach she raised her eyes to mine
7 muttering softly.
/ 1T is always so. Our Lady will have
the best of all, first the father. then
the child; it is right and just-only the
| bad are left
Papa" moaned a little voice feebly
: and Stella sat up among her tumbIeC
: pillows, with wide-opened wild eyes
e feverish cheeks, and parted lips
Y through which the breath came il
quick, uneasy gasps. Shocked at the
y marks of intense suffering in her face
put my arms tenderly round her-sh
|, smiled family and tried to kiss me.
O pref sed the poor parched little mouth
and mucmured, soothingly:
}. Stella must be patient and quiet
: Stella must lie down, the pain will b.
II better so; there, that is right" as tn
H., L ~