Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-05-26
Sunny Bank Farm
FLOYD LIVINGSTON
CHAPTER xxi.


by one of those terrific thunder storms
so common in a southern cline. For
many weeks l had lain there in state of
Inconsistencies, save at intervals when
l had dreamy realization of what was
transpiring around me. The physician
who was called in DIR. Clayton's stead
had more than once limited of continued
insanity, citing similar cases when hao
come under his observation; but IN spite
of his opinion, J. that bright August
morning, awoke from refreshing sleep, |
with perfectly restored faculties. At FIRST
/ thought | was alone, for there was
deep silence in the room, and from the
hall below l distinctly heard the ticking
of the clock reminding me of the time,
years ago, when once before | had how
cred between life and death. Now, as
then. | experienced the delicious feeling
of returning health, but missed the ia
miliar faces of my friends, and as l
thought how far / was from home and
all who loved me, l said aloud, i am
alone, al0ne."
Not alone, Rosa, for / am with you"
answered a deep voice near; and the next
moment the dark form of Richard Della
field bent over me.
Eagerly scanning my face, he said, do
you know meF
Yes" | answered ''Mr. Delaheld."
Then as a dim remembrance OF the past
came over me, lifted my head and look
cd round the room for one who l knew
had not long since been there.
Divining my thought, he said very
gently, as if the announcement would of
course give me pain, "He is not here,
Rosa. He was obliged TO go home; but
dare say he viii soon return; meantime
l will take care of you. Don't feel so
badly" he continued, as tears of genuine
joy at DR. Clayton's absence gathered
in my eyes.
l could not tell him the truth and
when / spoke it was to ask him concern
ing my illness. After telling me all that
he thought proper, he took the letter
from his pocket, and said, DIR. Clayton
left this for you. Have you strength to
read it nowY
Yes. yes" 1 replied, eagerly. at the
same time stretching out my hand TO
take it.
There was a blur upon my eyes as l
read, and | pitied DR.. Clayton, who had
thus laid bare to me his wretchedness,
but mingled with this was a feeling Of re-
lief to know that L was free. He told
me what he had written to Mr. Della
field and when | came TO that portion of
the letter, l involuntarily uttered an eX-
clamation of delight, while glanced tim
idly toward him. But he made no sign.
Tb.. letter which would have explained
all was safely lodged behind the bureau,
ard with a gloomy brow he watched me
while | read, interpreting my emotions
into the satisfaction he naturally sup
posed / would feel in hearing from my
lover. With me the reyulsion was too
great. for | fancied l saw in the ex-
preston of his face contempt for one
who had presumed to love him, and burst
ing into tears, l cried and laughed alter
nately while he tried TO soothe me; but
/ would not be comforted by hiu-he
hated me, knew, and very pettishly l
told him at last ito let me alone and go
away was better without him than
with him. | said, land he would obliSe
me by leaving the room"
The next moment l repented my harsh
ness, which knew had caused him pain,
for there was q look of sorrow upon his
face as he complied with my request. Rut
| was too proud to call him back, and
for the next half hour ! cried and fretted
alone, fiT-t at him for making DR. Clay
ton think he loved me when he didn't;
secondly. ar DIR. Clayton for meddling
with what didn't concern him; end lastly,
at myself for being so foolish as to care
whether anybody loved me or not. At
the end of that time Richard came back.
The cloud had disappeared, and very
good humoredly he asked IF l had got
over my pet, and if l wanted anything. y
Before night l was so much better
that Ada, Lima and Halbert came in to
see me, each expressing their pleasure at
my convalescence. But one there was
who came not to greet me, and at whose
absence l greatly marveled. She had
ever been the first to meet me in the
morning and the last TO leave me at
nights Why. then. did she tarry now.
when l wished so much TO see her?
Alasi | did not know that never again
would her home be gladdened by the
sunshine of her presence for it was Jes-
sic whom l massachusetts, for whom /
longed-straining my ear TO catch the
sound of her ringing laugh or bounding
footsteps
At last. as the day wore on and she
did not come, / asked for her and why
she stayed so long away. Wringing her
hands. Mrs. Lansing exclaimed, Tel
her. Richard, / cannot. Ii will kill me
Oh. Jessie. JessieI'
But | had no need for further knowl
edge. l saw what l had not before OBJ
served. the mourning garments of those
round me. and in tears OF anguish
cried: MY darling is deadr'
Yes. Jessie : dead" answered Rich
ard. I'VE 81 all never see her again
for she is safe in the happy land OF
which YOU so often told her"
could not weep Ny sorrow was toe
great for tears, and covering my face
| thought for a long. long time. why
was it." | asked myself that always
when death had lowered near me, had
been spared and another taken" for. as
in the case of Jessie, SO had it been viii
brother Jamie-they had died. while
had lived. and with a fervent thanks
giving TO heaven, which had dealt thus
mercifully with me. prayed that i
might not be in vain.
Gradually, as l could bear it. Mr.. Del
afeld told me the sad story-h0w she
had hung fearlessiy over my pillow wheI
all else had deserted me; how she haC
come for him; and how naught but hel
mothers peremPtory commands had tax
en- her from my side. As he talked
there came back 10 me a vague recoilec
ton Of tairy form--a seraph though
II TO have been-which. when the darl
river was running fast at my feet, 10
lowered near. whispering TO me wo7e' e
love. and bidding some one bury me ne
meath the tall magnolia. Then he to''
me how she had stood ike minister
ing spirit by the rude couch OF The poo
Africans. who with their dying breath
had blessed her. calling her the Anse
of The Pines" From her head he him
self had shorn her beautiful shining eurts
one Of which he gave 10 me, and whiei
l prize as my most precious treasure; 10
often as look upon it, | see again IN
little gieeful girl. my Georgia rose.
who for brief space dwelt within be
fair Southern home. and was then trans
planted TO her native soil. where now sh