Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-06-06
A LETTER
FROnG HONE

II u
observation-disclosures E59Gi75151I25152Sc
Don't write to my mother. She's
had SO much trouble already. Don't
write to her. shall be better soon.
This had been her cry from the
very first hour Of her illness. But
two weeks had gone by, and, although
the best medical advice had been call
ed in, there was no perceptible i'm
pr0Yement in her condition. Mrs.
Dalrymple began to grow uneasy. She
way-laid the family physician, one
morning, as he came downstairs.
I want you to tell me about Miss
Ballard, DOCTOR she said. do you
find her any better, this morning?"
The physician shook mis- head.
Il see no Improvement, alas!" he
said. Her case seems beyond the
reach of medical skill
"Why, doctor, you alarm me-" cried
the lady. II had no idea it was as
bad as that. Poor dear little girl"
Major Lennox, Mrs. Dalrymple's
brother, was sitting in the hall, en-
gagged in the arrangement of some
dshing-tackIe; but he dropped his
hooks and lines and listened with in
tense interest, while the conversa-
ton went on.
Surely, DOCTOR" continued the
lady, you don't think there's dan
ger?"
ct is hard to tell Mrs. Dalrymple.
But 1 don't like these low fevers, that
stand at one point so long, as this
does. Tell me something about the
young person"
Come in here and sit down, doctor,
and I'll tell you everything. She's
been with us just two months;
Charles governess,' we call her."
nodding toward her brother. 'Tll tell
you why. l advertised for nursery
governess, and, Immediately after,
was called away to the wedding of
friend On my return to my great
surprise I found FIossie and Ted set
tied down at their books, and Miss
Ballard acting as governess. Charlie
had engaged her without waiting to
consult me. He couldn't help it, he
said, she looked so young and friend
less; and he was in a terrible furry
for fear she might not suit us. But
she did. We found her perfect
treasure-the sweetest, most obliging
little soul; and the children just
adore her"
Eyes, yes; I dare say" interrupt
ed the doctor, the least bit inpatient
ly. But about the girl herself? Has
she had any trouble?"
'fShe is very reticent, poor thing.
But Mr.. Dalrymple knows something
about her"
"Ah?" said the doctor, interroga-
lively.
Yes. Her father was sent out to
Canton, sometime ago, by the firm Of
Briggs and Bonifant, and persisted
on his homeward voyage, when the
steamer Halifax was burned. His
family was left unprovided for, and
the daughter was forced to do what
she could"
Eyes" said the physician. 81 under
stand now. She's nomesick, poor thing
You Should have sent for her mother
a week ago."
81 wanted to, doctor But don't
write to mother; shall be better soon,
has been her cry from the first"
'WeH I'm afraid you'll have to
write, IN spite of her.
'T"l write this very day, if you
think best" said Mrs. Dalrymple.
The physician went his way, and
the kindhearted lady, greatly distress
ed at what she had heard, went in
search of her husband, to ask his adj
vice
In the meantime, in her hushed and
darkened chamber, the young govern
ess lay, her slender hands clasped,
her eyes closed, her pretty golden hair
falling about her pale face. Her past
life all seemed to come back to her.
that her father was on his way home;
The happy day when the news came
he had Already sailed, and would soon
be with them once more. Her moth
er's grateful joy; little Janey's de
hight; and her own happiness. The
glad, busy days of preparation, when
Aedr beautiful home was made ready
% receive and welcome their loved