Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-05-12
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
If you please, miss, could you come
to Mrs. Graham?"
This unwelcome summons forced
itself upon me as l lay luxuriously
reading upon the couch in the living
room the day following our dinner
party.
did she send for me?"
"No, miss"
Mrs. Graham's servant, q half-grown
girl with a face of surprising stupid
ty, stood stolidly before me, the ends
of small shawl held under her chin,
and frightened expression in her
small eyes.
Then, why did you Gomez"
To my surprise, the girl put her
face in her hands and began to cry
with shifting persistency very an
noying to hear.
I'm scared of her." she sobbed !;
"she's that queer. miss. She's went all
blue and stiff-like, and Mr.. Graham
amt there, nor nobody but me. And,
seeing as how you come to the house
sometimes, miss, I thought as maybe
you might help me, fur I'm scared to
stay alone, so am"
I rose reluctantly, for I knew but
little Of illness, and was also scared
of the prospect; but 60 1 must, in
common decency, and alone at that,
for Mary Anne and Elizabeth were out,
and Gabrielle was shut up in her room
with q bad cold, the result of too much
wandering about with thin slippers
the night before.
A chill east wind was blowing, and
shivered as we fastened down the
path and up the narrow steps.
Mrs. Graham lay rigid upon the
touch, her eyes shut and her lips blue
and pinched. put my hand over he1
heart, and it's faint flutter was a great
relief, as had thought her dead.
1T is only faint" I exclaimed, and
directed the bewildered girl to as
sist me in my efforts to revive her. Al
last we were rewarded by a long
drawn sigh, and the lids slowly lifted
from the dark eyes.
The servant had found some brandy
aud held little to her lips, motion
Ing her not to speak, but she pushed
the glass aside and sat upright.
1T is bad dream" she said "onl,
q dream! Say it-only dream!"
"Only dream" 1 repeated, sooth
ingly-"a bad dream"
She swallowed a little of the brand,
and lay back exhausted on the couch
while I followed the servant into tn,
kitchen.
where is Mr.. Graham?" I de
manded, sharply.
Il don't know, miss"
when will he be homer"
Il don't know, miss"
HAS Mrs. Graham been ill long?"
Il don't know, MISS
rs there anything you do know?
I inquired, my patience worn thread
bare.
mo, miss; I don't know nothing"
This statement was so evidently tru'
that left her aimlessly poking tn,
fire and returned to my patient.
She lay quite still, with closed eyes
80 merely drew a chair near tn,
couch and sat down to wait furthe
developments. waited a long time
The minutes slipped past, and tn,
room grew dim, for twilight was ap
proaching-the long summer twiligh
which I usually loved, but whose ar
rival dreaded to-day.
At last she stirred, moved restlessl.
once or twice, then raised her hea.
and looked around the room.
Where is he?" she said. "Wher'
is he?"
He has not come home yet, Mrs
Graham" replied. mo doubt he will
be here soon."
She fell back upon her pillows, ant
instinctively sprang to her side, bu
she waved me away and turned he
face to the wall.
1T was not dream" she moaned
1T is true, quite true"
heard the little servant close tn,
window and light her lamp, and en-
We'd her the warmth and brightness o
her kitchen, for the room was chill!
and fast growing dark.
Finally Mrs. Graham raised hersel
by great effort and beckoned to me
"On the table in my ROOM" she said
speaking with difficulty, you will fin,
some medicine. Drop it in water-th'
bottle tells hew-and bring it to me
But be quick!"
ran to the little room above an,
brought the medicine. dropping it will