Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-04-02

! a reading-tab In the wall behinl
these a fine wire gauZe, about two
feet square, painted a greyish white
to correspond with the paper, at
tracted his attention. When Nanny
entered the room in answer to the
bell, he was still considering this with
interest, and she hastenei to inform
him that it was a ventilator But he
himself had better information, and
did not doubt that the gauze covered
the mouths of the tubes through
which he had learned so many of the
secrets of this gloomy household AS
he was turning away from the wall
with a nod of discreet acquiescence
in the maids view, she drew a deep
sonOrOus brea,l that was almost a
cry on discovering that her mistress
was awake at last. linen she looked
gratefully at the doctor, who stopped
her before she could break out into
volubIe thanksgivings.
Yes, Nanny, your mistress is
better. My work is nearly over, and
yours is just going to begin. You've
brought the beef-tea? Right"
He took it from her, returned to
Alma, and helping her to raise her
self, insisted on her taking the food,
which she did with the plaintive, re-
luctant docility that marked her
every movement.
And now" said he, when she had
finished it, you begin to look better
and | can safely leave you with this
good nurse. Nanny" and he turned
to the flattered and delighted girl,
''you will have to answer for the con-
dition of my patient tomorrow morn
ing. You must leave the room as
little as you can, and when you DO,
get one Of the other servants to take
your place-not the one that chatters,
though. You are to sleep in this
room tonight; you can make up bed
on that sofa. I will send some
medicine, and you will see that your
mistress takes it. Don't forget"
Nanny was not likely to forget; she
was treasuring up each direction, de-
lighted to be of use to the mistress
whom, with mingling of pity and
admiration, she worshipped. Sure
that his injunctions would be i'm
plicitly carried out, Armathwaite took
leave of his patient, who chung to his
hand with a helpless and pitiful re-
luctance to let him go.
'Good-bye," he said, while he felt
tremor run through him at the
clutch of the weak fingers. "You
must not allow yourself to get de-
pressed, but must let me see you
looking bright and cheerful when
call tomorrow morning"
you will come tomorrow" she
said eagerly, while a soft light of
hope beamed for a moment in her
face, to disappear instantly. "Ah, no,
you will not come again! He will not
let you," she added, forming the
words with her lips, but not speaking
them.
eyes, I shall, though. Mr.. eros
mont wishes me to attend you until
you are well-quite WE'LL
@Till I am quite WE'LL" she re-
peated, incredulously. ooh, he won't
let you come as long as that. If he
did, | should never get we'll"
1t was an ambiguous compliment to
pay a doctor, perhaps, but Arma-
thwaite was so much affected by it
that he could not speak to her again,
but held her hand a moment longer, !
and then left her quickly and in
silence.
Crosmont was at the door of the
dining-room, half in, half out as if |
ne were hesitating as to whether he
should not wait for and speak to the |
doctor. AS the latter came slowly |
downstairs, however, the agent |
seemed suddenly to make up his mind |
that he would not meet him; and |
sinking back into the room, with a
kick at one of the dogs who tried to |
run past him into the hall, he allowed |
Armathwaite to pass out of the house !
in silence.
To be continued