Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-07-28

VI lHe Hull-COuSclOuS out OOClle Suuer-
er. made her swallow two of them.
Cybele soon re-entered the chamber,
followed by Sam, bearing all the ap-
paratus Of hair-cutting and shaving.
Astrea was lifted up in the arms of
old Cybele. who sat behind her and
supported her, While Sam cut off her
hair. which fell-a rich and glossy
black mass-upon the bed before the
doctors eyes. DR.. Herkimer picked a
portion of it up, to examine it. as one
he exclaimed:
why, how is this? This girls hair
Is golden near the roots"
Sam stopped in his process of lath-
ering.- AID old Cybele also bent for
ward to- look. The three heads were
bent In curiosity over 1Astrea's beau
tiful tresses. Yet, it was certainly as
the doctor; had said Every raven
hair was. tipped near the root with a
spark of Sold. This, OF course. was the
new growth. coming out in its natural
color. But they did not understand it.
Il should be inclined to think that
her hair was originally golden, but
that she had dyed it: only she is so
much too dark. to have light hail; 1,
can't make it out at all; it is quite phe-
nomenaE" the doctor exclaimed. And
the three pairs of eyes gazed upon the
phenomenon until DR.. Herkimer
said:
Go on With your work, Sam: what
the mischief are you stopping for!"
Sam oheyed, and in short time the
stately little head was shaved as clean
as the face. and looked so much wi itt
or as to draw the attention Of the 0oc-
:or who put on his spectacles to scru-
tinZe it. as he said:
''Well. the scalp. being protected by
the hair. is always Il little whittier than
the face. But here is so marked diff
ference as to indicate something very
abnormal, particularly when consid-
cred in connection with the golden
roots of the hair. l cannot make it all
OUT"
Neither. of course. could any of his
bearers. But had Venus been present
she might have given them the clue
Towels dipped in ice-water were
now wrapped around the sufferers
head. which was once more laid upon
the pillow.
Sam gathered up his BARRIERS tools
and left the room, carrying with him
the rich. black hair. which he knew he
could sell for q good price to the city
barber with whom he dealt.
You are too old to be trusted to
nurse this girk> You would not sit up
at night to give her medicine regular
ly. You would fall asleep. Where is
that woman that | saw about here y es-
tnrday?" said the doctor to Cybele.
"Lor. marsc doctor, clearin' away de
dinner table an putin de house to
rights after all dis hustle. A body
wants de place to look a little decent
'gainst ole marser's 'lations come"
well, you had better attend to that
matter yourself, and send Venus here
to me-"
The doctor was always promptly
obeyed, and Venus soon entered the
room, dropping courtesy, and say
ing:
deed. marse doctor, sir, l thanks
you berry much for sendn' for me:
cause Use been long O. dat chile for
mont or more. an knows all her ways
same as if was her nanny; an so,
you see. Is dc most properest person
for to nurse her"
You know all her ways%'
Eyes, narse. doctor, sir"
did she dye her hair?"
"Lor, no, marse doctor! Why"'
Its coming out golden at the roots.
that's ALP
DE LOIS cried Venus, suddenly
racnllecting what Astrea had told her
concerning the mystery or ner cnange
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:''
"Who-she! No, indeed, marse doc
tor; I'm sartain sure she doesn't!
What call she to dye her bootiful hair?
"Tain't grey, nor likewise red. SO why
dye?"
why, certainly? Well. l cannot
comprehend it! But now, my good wo.
man, must give 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, my grip, he said, as he
took up his hat to go, II hope YOU un-
derstand all that 1 have said to youy'
"Ebery single word, marse doctor,
| sir-But please tell me, sir, when you
think de new 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. II they come by water. the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers are both
so low that they may be three weeks
Oh the way. And if they delay their
departure there is no telling when they
| may arrive"
With this answer, Venus had to be
satisfied; for the doctor Immediately
left the house.
Astrea's illness was long and dan
scrC us. For eight days she lay hover
F, ing between life and death-and alter
mating between delirium and stupor
The doctor came twice a day .ano
taxed his utmost skill to save her life
Venus sat up with her every night and
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 will sink