A Beautiful Possibility eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 258 pages of information about A Beautiful Possibility.

A Beautiful Possibility eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 258 pages of information about A Beautiful Possibility.

Evadne’s eyes were closed and she took no notice of her aunt’s entrance.  Mrs. Hildreth spoke to her and then left the room hurriedly to summon her husband.  Even her unpractised eyes showed her that her niece was very ill.

Doctor Russe shook his head gravely.  “It is a serious case,” he said, “and I do not know Where you will find a nurse.  I never remember a spring when there was so much sickness in the city.  I sent my last nurse to a patient yesterday and since then have had two applications for one.  It is most unfortunate.  The young lady will need constant care.  She requires a person of experience.”

Pompey, waiting to drive the doctor home, caught the words, spoken as he descended the steps to enter the carriage, and came forward eagerly.  “If you please, Missus,” he said, touching his hat, “Dyce would come.  She’s hed a powerful sight of ‘sperience nussin’ fevers in New Orleans.  She’d be proper glad ter tend Miss ’Vadney.”

“How is that?” questioned the busy doctor.  “Oh, your wife, my good fellow?  The very thing.  Let her come at once.”

So Dyce came, and into her sympathetic ears were poured the delirious ravings of the lonely heart which had been so suddenly torn from its genial surroundings of love and happiness and thrust into the chilling atmosphere of misunderstanding and neglect.

Every day the patient grew weaker and after each visit the doctor looked graver.  Mrs. Hildreth began to feel the gnawings of remorse, as she thought of the lonely girl to whom she had so coldly refused a daughter’s place; and the Judge’s thoughts grew unbearable as he remembered his broken trust; even Louis missed the earnest face which he had grown to watch with a curious sense of pleasure; while the girls at school felt their hearts grow warm as they thought of the young cousin so soon to pass through the valley of the shadow.

But Evadne did not die.  The fever spent itself at last and there followed long days of utter prostration both of mind and body.  Dyce’s cheery patience never failed.  Her sunny nature diffused a bright hopefulness throughout the sick chamber, until Evadne would lie in a dreamy content, almost fancying herself back in the old home as she listened to the musical tones and watched the dusky hands which so deftly ministered to her comfort.  One day after she had lain for a long time in silence, she looked up at her faithful nurse and the grey eyes shone like stars.

“Dyce!” she cried softly.  “I have found Jesus Christ!”

CHAPTER IX.

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A Beautiful Possibility from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.