Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-29
CHAPTER XVIII.


Nurse Meyrick was sleeping on a couch
in the dressing room. 1t had been placed
so near the dor of communication that
she had a full view of her patient. He
had Just sunk into a tranquil doze. and
she had followed his example, when a
faint sound, like an opening door, reused
her, and moment after she caught a
glimpse of a white-robed figure with long,
fair hair. A young girl in a loose dress
ing gown was standing by Mr.. Merle's
bed. Nurse Meyrick's quick eyes discern
ed that one arm was bandaged and in
splnts. 1t must be the young lady, she
thought, who had been injured in the ac-
cident; perhaps she was light headed.
The next minute she touched her softly.
Come, my dear, come" she said coax
ingly; you ought not to be out of your
bed at this time of night let me help you
back, there's dear young lady," for Mis-
sizes wide, feverish eyes alarmed her.
mo, no." returned Missile, recoilinc
from the nurses gentle touch 81 could
not stay in bed, could not sleep until l
had seen papa. Let me stay and look at
him; | will be good and not wake him -
But the nurse shook her head at this.
You must not stay" she whispered,
not daring to raise her voice; your feet
are bare, and you look as bad as possible.
Come, my dear, let me carry you back to
your room; it will scare your father to
see you standing there"
mo, no." returned Missile, shrinking
still more Il must stay with papa Why
does he look so pale and lie so still? Is he
NJ +oII h.
Papa!' she cried out, for she was be-
wildered by the dim light and her own
feverish fancies. Speak to me only one
word, just to tell me you are alive"
''Oh, hush ~ exclaimed the nurse; but
she was too late. Mr.. Merle woke up a:
but in his weak condition his daughters
presence did not seem to startle him.
My dear" he said, feebly; they ought
not to have allowed this. You will make
yourself i'll leaving your warm bed
But l could not Sleep" she sobbed; 81
could not rest. l thought they were hid
ing things from me. If you had died, and
l had never told you l was sorry, l should
have died, too. Oh, papa, it must have
killed me !"
He smiled family, and gathered the hot
little hand in his.
You were sorry all the time, my pet,
were you not?
Yes, l am sorry now" creeping still
closer. Il could not ask God to forgive
me until you had forgiven me- Oh, papa
why do you look so kindly at me, when
you know it is all through my wickedness
that you are lying here? OF course no one
can love me any more"
Not love you, Pussie! Come, come my
child, fathers are not like that. l forgive
you freely; everything is right between
us. But, my poor darling, you are i'll and
suffering, and if you care to please me
let nurse carry you back to bed"
will you let me kiss you first?"
His only answer was to stretch out his
arms to her; but he wondered to see how
slowly she came to him. How could he
guess each movement was agony to the
poor child? How she had ever managed
to crawl from her bed and across the pas
sage only she herelf knew.
Il have only one arm to put around
your neck" she whispered, as her long hair
fell over his face. Dear, dear papa, if
could only bear it all " And as he felt
her tears upon his cheek he understood
how her young heart was wrung with re-
morse and sorrow, and holding her a
moment tried to comfort her, and be-
sought God TO bless his pet.
Alison was just sitting up in alright,
looking around the empty room, when
Nurse Meyrick appeared, carrying Mis-
sic in her arms.
"Oh, Mabel where have you been?
You have frightened me So"
Go to sleep, Alison returned Missile,
in happy voice. Il have only been to
see papa. and he has forgiven me, and
now | can rest"
''She will be quiet now" whispered the
nurse. II have covered her up warm. and
she will rest until morning" And she
was right Though Missie lay awake.
feverish and full of pain. she gave no
more trouble and poor Alison was allow
ed to sleep undisturbed until morning.
For the next few days Missile was very
i'll. Her agitation of mind brought on a
slight feveriSh attack, and when this had
yielded TO the doctors remedies her weak
ness was excessive. Her nerves had been
Jared and unstrung by the accident; and
the least noise, the slamming of a door,
or even a louder voice than usual, made
her change color and burst into tears. 1t
was impossible for her in her shattered
state always to repress irritability.
Again the old sharp tones and words re-
called Missiles faulty temper. But there
was this improvements struggled
bravely against her besetting sin, and
would ask pardon quite humbly of Alison.
II have been so cross to-day" she would
say, with tears in her eyes: 81 wish you
would not be so sweet and patient with
| me-