The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-01-07

MIS-. 5aviIle was going to b very Ill
At last, after what seemed ages, but
really as soon as he could come, tho
doctor appeared.
Though rusty and dislocated in ap-
pearance, he was kindly and intelli
gent. After examining his patient, he
asked Home If she was her daughter.
"A much attached friend, them he
said, when she answered in the mega
tive.
Il fear the poor lady is seriously ILL.,
1t is rather difficult to foresee how
these feverlsh attacks may turn. and
we can only help nature There is lit
tie to be done. 1 have brought medi-
cines with me, thanks to the descrip-
ton in your note. Sainte-Croix boasts
no chemists shop. You must watch
your patient constantly. Give he:
milk when you can get her to take
anything. l will speak to the landlord
about a few precautions which 1t
would be as well to take, and 1 think
you had better have a nurse-a sick
nurse-to assist you It seems to me
that Madame has been healthy wom-
am"
Remarkably healthy, 1 believe"
THAT is well. A reserve force of
untried strength Is the best help in
these cases. l will come over very
early tomorrow morning, and, If pos
stble, bring nurse with me-"
So Hope was left with sinking
heart to watch the sick-bed, to admin
lister what medicine was ordered. to
cool the burning skin by applying a To-
ton which smelt Of camphor, to pray
for strength and courage. She sent
the courier to the nearest telegraph
station, describing Mrs Saville's con-
dition, and begging that Mr.. Rawson
and Richard Saville might be sent for.
Meantime, note or terror had
spread through the household. Some
precautions suggested by the doctor
gave rise to exaggerated ideas of in
lection, and Hope soon began to per-
ceive that the service Of the sick-room
was becoming difficulty.
The doctor was faithful to his word
and returned with a sturdy, broad
faced Sister Of Mercy, who was an i'm
mense help. Then the sad routine of
sick-room was instituted. Gradual
ly Hope came to know that the enemy
with which they had to contend was
severe typhus fever The whole weight
Of attendance fell on Hope and the Sis
ter. At times Mrs. Saville was wildly
excited, striving to get out of bed and
wandering deliriously. In her worse
state Hopes voice and touch had a
certain degree of influence upon her.
The weary days, and still wearier
nights, dragged their slow length
along. Letters came from Mr.. Raw
sons partner assuring Miss Desmond
that he was in hopes a letter would
find Mr.. Saville in the island of Ru-
gen, where his bankers believed he
would make short stay, and that he
had telegraphed to Mr. Rawson, who
ought to be at Basic on the 7th: no
doubt that gentleman would lose no
time in going to Sainte-Croix.
Still the days and nights rolled
heavily on, and no one came.
IF all our care falls" thought Hope,
what a terrible position for me! |
have done my best; but will Mrs. sa-
ville's people think have? If she dies
unreconciled to Hugh, what a trag-
edy!" What moments Hope could
spare from the sufferer she swent in
writing, covering the pages rapidly.
These letters she sent by the courier
to the market-town, that they might
escape the uncertainties of the Sainte-
Croix post-ofice.
"Mademoiselle will kill herself"
said Sister Marie, the nurse, one morn
ing. you do the work, the watching,
of two. And you are imprudent: Won
let her hold your hand and lean
against you. 1t is unwise. You must
take some rest. Trust me little"
II do, dear Sister, l do. But I can
not rest. You do not know how nv
life seems to depend on hers"
And you are not her daughterl"
ITO be continued)