The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-10-30

I'm sorry you can't get on with me-"
the old woman said quietly, but ita
natural enough no doubt When are
you going 10 your brother?'
"He expects me tomorrow think
it IS best"
"Oh, yes, OF course It is best, since
you wish a. You will like 10 be alone
this evening, | know, so l am going
out Ii do not see you again, good
night"
"If you please, maam, don't think
baby is quite we'll, she's fretting
dreadfully, and can't get her 10 sleep.
II you'd just come and look at her
you'd know what to give her to make
her better"
Mrs. Ferguson looked at her nurses
troubled face. and rose at once.
Yes, TN come, Bessie" she said. 81
expect babys teeth are worrying her;
they should be coming through now,
suppose"
But when Helen entered the nursery
and watched the childs flushed face
and difficult breathing a sudden spasm
Of pain clutched at her heart. If baby
should be really i'll what should she
do? If only John we're at home! But
he was already far on his Journey
you must fetch the doctor, Bessie"
she said, taking the little one In her
arms. I'm afraid it may be bron-
chitis or something like that-it seems
to be in her throat. / don't understand
childrens ailments. Mrs. Ferguson
would know perhaps, but she is out.
Hurry, please, for l feel very nervous,
and as you pass the Kitchen tell Kate
to come to me-"
ITS Hates evening out, ma'am."
"Oh, Of course! l forgot Well,
must stay alone then, only be as quick
as you possibly can, Bessie. See baby
nearly chokes sometimes-she has new
er been like 1t before"
Il won't be ten minutes, ma'am,"
the girl answered as she slipped softly
away, leaving Helen alone with her
child.
May I come in? Is there anything
the matter, Helen?" asked voice at
the door.
She turned round and gladly bade
her mOther-in-law enter.
yes, something is the matter" she
was saying in a voice which somehow
did not sound like her own. Baby is
i'll. I've sent Bessie for the doctor,
and it's Hates evening out, am glad
you are here. l was feeling so nervous
all alone"
Us she very bad, do you think?" Mrs.
ferguson stopped and peered anxious
ly at the tiny face.
I'm afraid so. All, thank God! Here
is the doctor"
Doctor Dacre was a middle-aged man
of great experience, and he saw at a
glance what the trouble was.
"Diphtheria," he said briefly. "You
will need a trained nurse, Mrs. Fergus
SON."
"Ah, don't know" said Helen. 'T'm
not really used to children much, and
don't know anything about diphtheria
except that it is dangerous. Do you
think that she will die?'
1T is impossible to say at this stage.
1 can send nurse if you wish. 1t
would save you a great deal Of care and
anxiety, Cheer up, my dear lady. We
will do our best for the little one, and
l hope she will soon pull through"
mo need for a nurse. I'll take
charge of her if you will let me, Helen
l nursed her father through the same
complaint, and saved his life. Will you
trust her to me?"
1T is hard work, madam" said the
doctor, obviously, but Helen, without a
word, laid her baby in it's grandmoth-
er's arms.
All through the weary days and
nights that followed the two women
fought with the king Of terrors for the
little life which both loved so well
Helen was quite inexperienced, but
Mrs. Ferguson had seen a great deal
Of sickness, and seemed to know in
stinctiyely what to do in an emergency
The doctor gave his orders, feeling
comfortably certain that they would
be carried out.
Your mother is a magnificent
nurse" he said to Helen one day as she
followed him down stairs to hear the
latest opinion IF anybody could save
the child she would do it,"
rs it quite hopeless, doctor?" asked
the young mother, looking wistfully III
at the kind, grave face which during
the last week she had grown to know