Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-06-11
CHAPTER xLVIII.

things CoulQ not last. Even III he
could control himself, Leah was 50
quick that she would soon perceive
what lit was that was amiss with
Hettie and then--Well he thought
ii would be far easier to meet death
in any shape than To meet Leah after
she knew his secret. He could not
witness Hettie's suffering, nor could
he bear to think OF Leahs despair.
He could not understand the dit.
hculties by which he was encom.
passed; he was like one cropping in the
dark. He determined that he would
rest his brain and his thoughts, and
then decide.
1t was easier to plan than to do
No rest, no sleep came to him that
night. The sisters seemed to stand on
either side Of his pillow-Hettie
whom he Worshiped, Leah who loved
him. He told himself that, if this
lasted much longer, he should go mad.
The morning brought him sad in
telligence--a note from Leah saying
that Hettie was ill., and that the
doctor, for whom they had sent in all
haste pronounced it a dangerous case
OF brain fever.
Come over as soon as you can and
comfort me, Basil. | cannot endure
to think that have found my sister
only to lose her.
IF she dies, have murdered her,
he said to himself bitterly.
He went over at once and found
the whole household in despair. The
general met him with outstretched
hand and grave face.
"Brain-fever." he said, Basil, what
can have caused brain-fever! | can
not understand it. And she is in dan
ger--realy in danger? Poor pretty
Hetty! What is to be done"
There was no need for Sir Basil to
express his sympathy, II anything
could have comforted Sir Arthur in
this hour of his distress, it would have
been the hearty, honest, evident grief
Of his young companion.
II have seen and known very little
OF Illness" continued the general. Il
can tell a case of jungle-fever and
understand ague but brain-fever-it
is positively awful, Basil! | thought
brain-leVer was the result of trouble,
worry, sorrow, or some great mental
anxiety"
80 have always understood" said
Sir BASIL but then you tell me she
has had a troubled life"
80 she has, poor child; | am sure
of that. This is one of the evils of
| life that we must bear with patience
We have done all that is possible
have telegraphed to London for two eX-
'perienced nurses-I cannot have Leah
always in the sick room-and now we
must await the result"
Does the doctor think there is
danger" asked Sir Basil, with white
| lips.
Eyes the fever runs high, and she is
very weak. | hope for Leahs sake,
you will spend as much time here as
possible. The days will be dreadfully
depressing for her, poor child
You may rely upon me-" said Sir
Basil Indeed, the difficulty would
he for me to keep away My world is
here"
1t was indeed a melancholy time.
For many days the shadow of death
lay over the household. There were
hushed voices, silent footsteps, and
feryent prayers for the beautiful
young girl who lay quite unconscious
OF all that passed. Everything that
skill and love could suggest was done,
but for many days the issue was
doubtful. 1t was Leans first eX
porience of illness or physical suffer
ing and it impressed her greatly
Tho house was put under discipline
No visitors came, there was no sound
heard. Piano, harp, singing-all were
tabooed, Leah would have shut out
If she could the soughing of the wind
and the Creakng of the great bare
! boughs 1t was the strange death-like
silence that made the place seem so
unearthly. Not oven the barking of a
dog was allowed near the mansion
| The poor tortured brain could not en-
duro the least sound. 1t was piteous
sight to see the fair head tossing rest
lessly to and fro on the white pillow;
II was never still--from one side to
the other II turned with unwearied
motion. and the muttering- is
perhaps the most awful aCCompani-
ment of brain-fever-never ceased.
/ None of the sufferers words We're in
telligihle: her utterance was only an
| inartiCulate murmur vague and ter
rifle, once or twice when Leah was
with her, she though she overheard
the word Glen but she concluded it
must have been fancy. 1t brought no
meaning to her. althou il 1t was the
name of her lovers home.
During those long weeks OF weary
suffering no man could have been
more miserable than Sir Basil He
wandered round the house like a
shadow He could not bear to leave
/ 1t, nor could he bear to be left alone.
lie seemed to spend the greater part
of the day in asking but one question
from different people: How is she