Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-02-13
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| the past, except where he spoke OF Lucy,
telling how happy she was, and how If
anything could reconcile him to his fate,
it was the knowing how pure and good
and loving was the wife he was getting.
Then he wrote of the doctor and Mar
yaret, whom he described as a dashing,
brilliant girl, the veriest tease and madcap
in the world, and the exact opposite Of
| Maddy.
This letter, 80 calm, so cheerful In its
tone, had a quietng effect on Maddy, who
read it twice, and then placing it in her
BOSOM started. for the cottage, meeting on
the way with Flora, who was seeking for
her in great alarm. Uncle Joseph had
had fit, she said, and fallen upon the
floor cutting his forehead badly against
| The sharp point Of the stove. Hurrying
on Maddy found that what Flora had
said was true, and sent Immediately for
| the physician, who came at once, but
shook his head doubtfully as he examined
| his patient. There were all the symp
toms of fever, he said, bidding Maddy
prepare for the worst. Nothing in the
form of trouble could particularly affect
Maddy now, and perhaps it was wisely
ordered that Uncle Joseph's illness should
take her thoughts from herself From the
very first he refused to take his medicines
from anyone save her or Jessie who,
with her mothers permission, stayed alto
gether at the cottage, and who, as Guys
sister, was a great comfort to Maddy.
AS the fever increased, and Uncle Jo-
seph grew more and more delirious, his
cries for Sarah were heart-rending, max
ing Jessie weep bitterly as she said to
Maddy;
IF | knew where this Sarah was I'd
90 miles on foot to find her and bring
her to him."
Something like this Jessie said to her
mother when she went for day to Ak
thought Sarah would go.
Perhaps" and Agnes brushed abstract
edly her long, flowing hair, winding it
around her jeweled fingers, and then let
ting the soft curls fall across her snowy
arms.
Where do you suppose she is?' was
Jessie's next question; but If Agnes knew
she did not answer, except by reminding
her little daughter that it was past her
bedtime.
The next morning Agnes eyes were
very red, as if she had been wakeful the
entire night. while her white face fully
warranted the headache she professed to
have.
Jessie" she said, as they sat together
at their breakfast, Il am going to Hone
dale to-day. going to see Maddy, and shall
leave you here
Agnes was not the same woman whom
we first knew. All hope of the doctor had
long since been given up, and as Jessie
grew older the mother nature was strong
er within her. subduing her selishness,
and making her far more gentle and con-
siderate for others than she had been be-
fore. To Maddy she was exceedingly
kind, and never more so in manner than
now, when they sat together talking in
the humble kitchen at the cottage.
You look tired and sick" she said.
Your cares have been too much for one
not yet strong. l will sit by him till he
wakes, and you go to bed"
Very gladly Maddy accepted the offered
relief, and utterly worn out with her con-
stant vigils, she was soon sleeping sound
ly in her own room, while Flora, in the
little shed, or back room of the house,
was busy with her ironing. Thus there
was none to follow Agnes as she went
slowly into the sick room where Uncle
Joseph lay, his thin face upturned to the
light and his lips occasionally moving as
he muttered in his sleep. There was a
strange contrast between that wasted i'm
beetle and that proud, queenly woman,
but she could remember time when in
her childish estimation he was the embod-
ment of every manly beauty. and the
knowledge that he loved her, his sisters
little hired girl, filled her with pride and
vanity A great change had come to them
both since those days. and Agnes, watch
ing him and smothering back the pain
which arose to her lips at sight Of him,
felt that for the fearful change in him
she was answerable. Intellectual, talent
ed. admired and sought by all he had
been once he was mere wreck now. and
Agnes breath came in short, quick gasps,
as glancing furtiveIy around to see that
no one was near. she laid her hand upon
his forehead and parting his thin hair,
said. ptyingly: Poor Joseph"
The touch awoke him, and starting up
he stared wildly at her, while some mem
orv of the past seemed to be struggling
through the misty clouds, obscuring his
mental vision.
who are You. lady? Who, with eyes
and hair like hersT'
I'm the madam from Akenside,"
Agnes said, quite loudly, as Flora passed
the door. Then when she was gone she
added. softly: I'm Sarah-Sarah Agnes
Morris"
II seemed for a moment to burst upon
him in its full reality, and to her dying
day Agnes would never forget the look
upon his face the smile of perfect happi
moss breaking through the rain of tears,
tho love. the tenderness mingled with dis
trust which that look betokened as he
continued gazing at her, but said to her
not a word Again her hand rested on his
forehead. and taking it now in his he held
il to the light, laughing insanely at its
soft whiteness; then touching the costly
diamonds which flashed upon him the
rainbow hues. he said Where's that lit
tie ring ! bought for you"
She had anticipated this, and took from
her pocket a plain gold ring, kept until
that day where no one could find it, and
holding it up to him, said: Here it is.
Do you remember it!'
"Yes, yes" and his lips began to culver