Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1901-11-01


1t gave me much trouble, still sfa.sn
helped me, and
~ see"
"My leg did hurt me quite a little az
gone a gooc distance, when Suddenly
the path made a sharp bend 10 one side
and widened out. We We're in Sena
Julia.
at was as if all life had suddenly de-
parted from the place. and my ears
were on the alert to catch any sound OF
Joy or note Of welcome. None came,
however Spellbound we stood and
watched the melancholy aspect.
IAN at once loud groans came from a
neighboring cottage and then curses
and shouts Of delirious laughter. 1t
seemed as If bedlam held in allegiance
by the lack Of sound. had broken loose
From every house there issued strange
noises, as Of souls struggling with their
death aConies, pealS of laughter and
curses till the air was rent with the
horror OF the plague and filed with ths
Infection Of the pestilence.
Never did l work as l did in those
few awful days which followed, Their
memory l can never efface from my
mind. for even now | often wake out OF
deep sleep with perspiration starting
at every pore, enduring again in fancy
the suffering Of those terrible hours.
"Marsa showed great courage and
soon developed into an ideal nurse,
dreading nothing. constantly by my
SIDE ministering TO the many wants OF
the diseased with all the tenderness OF
q true woman. Shrinking from no
danger Of contagiou. she never once
failed IN cousoling and giving rest.
And then came time which can
never recall without trembling. for
Marsa herself was stricken 1T last. and
for days her life was In the balance
Many AMI many a time l despaircd. Of
her life. but her constitution, though
wasted by the rayages OF disease, linal-
ly conquered. and had the pleasure OF
seeing her daily grow more strong and
healthful, and not long after We were
able To leave the dismal scene Of sick
ness. for help had begun To arrive from
the surrounding villages ~ soon as the
news Of the pestIlence hal spread.
I'VE We're married here at Geneva
some days ago, and now Anuerly,
comes the reason | have told you this
story.
My mother, with her ridiculous no.
tons of our rank, will never forgive
her son for this mesalliance, as She
would call it, She was earnestly look
Ing forward 10 my union with The
Princess Elsa-in fact, it has been her
chief hope for many years past. As
yet She knows nothing Of Marsa, FOR
have written he7 nothing. She arrives
morning. ! telegraphed her.
have | acted rightly
Here Anuerly took his hands from
his trousers pockets, where they had
during the relation Of the
story. and calmly lit a cigarette.
Well" shouted a young guardsnan
Of the group, what aid you tell him"
Nothing. said Annerly,
Nothing"
why, my dear fellow. what would
you have told him; thar be had done
right:"
"Of course I would rejoined the
other disgusredly.
An echo Of assent went around the
little circle.
Throwing away his cigarette. Aunariy
put on his hat walked over 10 the door,
lesitatel aud then said:
"Geutlemea. my little ruse worEed h@t-
.er than knew, The Graf Won Alnur-
i-urrd under the more romantic title
II Tom Auncrly. Ny wife, NJ. Marsl
looks forward with mp.A
pleasure to Ler first Iai ,"Dor-o"
night. and ! shall take great pleasure
n Introducing you all
The door closed, the sound Of Tons
footsteps died slowly away, AMI tls
title group regarded one another In
silence.