A Day of Fate

ires," were the reassuring words that greeted my waking later in the eve

d my kind hostess, an

you are, Mrs. Yocomb; but don't let me make

ng trouble. The more we can do for thee the better we shall be pleas

e you. How long

thing at a time. The doctor has put thee in

ere perfect bears when

it, but not another word to-night-not a

g will bring you around in time. You've had a narrow graze of it, but

nd darkened the room. But it was not so dark

ren," I e

ocomb quietly; "she's been

ied eagerly. "Mother, may I speak to Richard Morton?"

if I disobey you this once," I interrupted h

ld out my hand to her. I wondered why h

never thank thee enough. Oh, I feared

n't say another word; R

er mine. "Good-by," she br

ith her knitting by a

dark foliage wave to and fro, and the leaves grow distinct in the light of the rising moon, which, though hidden, I knew must be above the eastern mountains. I had the vague impress

ct peace and restfulness. The past is forgotten, the future a blank, and I see only

ul, Richard. The doctor

exquisite rest and oblivion could last, I am like a ship becalmed o

en spring up and carry thee homeward. Fear not even rough winds, if t

g to sit up to-ni

r finger o

!" sh

d. "The ideal government is that o

mething from Mrs. Yocomb's hand, and then sinking back into an enthrallment of b

ning my eyes, I looked intently through the open, window and gladly welcomed the early day. The air was fresh, and I felt its exhilarating quality. The drooping branches of the e

t content with which I had watched the foliage grow distinct in th

r wistfulness. "Can I do anything for thee, Richard Morton?" she asked, rising from her chair near the

r young, beautiful face comported so well with the early morning of the summer day as to greatly p

to go away, but I must go and

hing so strangely! I feel as if I had known you all a long time, and ye

wer questions. She says thee knows thee's been sick and thee know

eep and the good things your mother h

't know how to take care of thyself, and that thee'll use

going to take

pleases. I'l

ad. I shall have so nice a time getting w

ng as thee'll let me, for no

going to help me to get well, and will come to my room daily with a fa

ks I look well. They are all saying I look pale and am growing thin, but i

ght once more. I have the strangest sense of not knowing what I ought to know well. You and your kind father and mother brought me hom

r a walk," said the

gue sense of trouble-of something wrong. I tried to raise my hand to my brow, as if to

rren was singing. Your mother spoke-would that I might hear her again!-it

ocomb reproachfully. "Thee was

d out; I know that something happened the other evening when you spoke so beautifully

esn't thee believe

ed be a total blank

depends on quiet? Thee can scarcely lift thy hand to thy head; thy words are slow and feeble. Can't thee realize that it is thy sa

ugh, but I felt almos

rust thee as a nurse,"

my fault," I whispered. "I'll be very

what I have prepared, and th

concerned; you haven't done me a bit of harm. You

been for the

warning finger, and

s Warren this morning?

st sleep

else sleep was the remedy that Nature instinctively grasp

to take stimulants and nourishment. The heat and glare of the summer day had passed. This I could perceive even through the half-closed window-blinds. At first I thought mysel

I laughed, "so you

od, Richard Morton?"

ope

as soon as thee really

ent, and tell m

n't tell thee anyth

going to

med the boy, i

of me that I am going to play sick the rest of

with me. He'll put life into thee-never fear. When I get hold of the reins he fairly makes my hands tingl

en? Is she never

o the village this morning, and she had almost as much spirit and life as Dapple. She's a jolly good girl. I like her. We're all so glad t

alking," said Mrs

re the most amiable and beneficent dr

ee's into mischief, and the young people are just as

xclaimed; "she'll do m

ease her wonderfully. Go away, Reuben, and tell Zillah to brin

ll. I'm ashamed to

od sign-a ve

by the oddest sense of not remembering something th

k-thee knows that. Then thee had been overwork

fted into this quiet harbor before the st

ave another bad turn. I hope, however, that thee'll be too

ocomb, and-and-Miss

till I said he could come; but he's so hearty-l

ke also? It seems to me her lau

mummy, so she can't

g a general sense of comfort and refreshment. Now she lifted my head on her str

tle fellow. I've taken care of myself ever since. You can have no idea ho

ee now; but thee mustn't say anything more;"

oftly, "I should ha

nting-house could take care of the

I must have bee

better every way after a good fit of sickness. I believe the Good Physician will give His healing touch

both hands, she en

aited on right royally. I'm going to drink that broth to your health, as if you were a great lady. It will do me mo

er with pleasure as she

" she cried. "Thee talks queer, but n

mother checked her, and she

ard has taken this I'm not going

Zillah?" I asked, smiling into h

gerly and mos

a chair and g

ing look at her mother,

ell them all that you did me more good than the

she whispered, "something that Emily Warren g

nce by the perfume of an exquisite cluster of rosebuds arr

e by Richard, and then th

, will make me well. Tell Miss Warren that I am going to thank her myself. Good-by n

the young people out of thy room. Reuben asks a dozen times a day if he can see thee, and father's

had stood there together, grew so vivid that I saw her again almost in reality, her face glowing with the undisguised, irrepressible pleasure that had been caused by my unexpected tribute to the absolute truthfulness of her character. Again I heard her piquant laugh; then h

o myself. "At any rate I see no Y

t thee gazes so long and intently

ill sufficient blood to

to me that Miss Warren had grown there too, she was so like them; and that this imp

gravely, and her eyes rested on me in a questioning and sympathe

ffort on her part, she won my absolute trust. This at first greatly surprised me, for I regret to say that my calling has made me di

s my companion

e a vague, tormenting impression that something occurred which I cannot recall. The la

e effects of the fever in thy system before thee or any of us knew what was the matter. Thy mind soon wande

uch a stranger! But Miss Adah made refere

"I'll ask Adah," she said, gravely. "It'

words had been, for I remembered nothing more disti