"Five dollars."
"Outrageous! No, I will not pay that. Here are three dollars. Go, and never let me hear of you again."
"Julia Bland, I wish the world knew you as I do. You will grind to the earth your sister-woman, and give liberally where it will be known and said, "How charitable--how good!" I say how hard-hearted--how deceitful!" said the woman, in bitter tones.
"Go!" came forth, in a voice quivering with rage.
Soon the hall door told the departure of the unwelcome guest.
Looks of amazement, beyond description, pa.s.sed between the reverend gentlemen.
At length the younger one said:
"She does not know of our arrival. I will go into the hall and touch the bell."
"Oh! excuse me, sir. I thought Miss Bland was in the drawing-room. I will tell her now," said the servant.
Could this gentle, dignified woman be the same whose harsh, hard tones were still lingering in their ears?
Impossible! thought the elder man. Surely he must be in a dreadful, dreadful dream. Not so David; he clearly understood it all, and felt truly thankful that the blundering servant had enabled him to get this "peep behind the scenes."
The meeting was over, and they were just leaving the church, when:
"Please, sir, tell me where I can find the preacher or doctor--and I"ve forgot which--maybe both. They frightened me so when they hurried me off!" said a boy, running up to them.
"Here, my lad--what is it?"
"Mr. Preacher, please come with me. There is a young woman very ill--maybe dying. They sent me for somebody, and I can"t remember; but please run, sir!"
"I will go. Excuse me, Miss Bland; father will take charge of you."
And he followed, with hasty steps, the running boy.
"Here, sir--this is the house. Go in, sir, please!"
"Now, my lad, run over to Dr. Lenord"s office--he is in--and ask him to come. So, one or the other of us will be the right one."
David Carlton entered, treading noiselessly along the pa.s.sage, until he had reached a door slightly open. Glancing in to be sure he was right, he beheld lying--apparently almost dying--a young woman. Beside the bed, kneeling with upraised head and clasped hands, was a strangely familiar form. Then came forth a sweet voice, pleading to the throne of Mercy for the sufferer. He gazed spellbound for a moment. Then slowly and softly he retraced his steps to the door. Then he almost flew along the streets until he reached Mr. Fairleigh"s, just as his father and Miss Bland were ascending the steps. Seizing the former very unceremoniously, he said:
"Come, father, with me quickly--you are wanted."
In a few moments more, before the boy had returned with the physician, they stood again at the door of the sickroom. David whispered:
"Look there! listen!"
"Be still, Mary, dear! Do not worry. I shall not judge you wrongfully.
How dare I? We are all so sinful. That you are suffering and in need is all the knowledge I want."
"Oh, where is William? Why does he not come? Why not speak and acknowledge his wife and child? Now that I am dying, he might! Oh, where is he? Why will not G.o.d send him to me?" moaned the sick girl.
"G.o.d is love, Mary. He does not willingly afflict or chastise us. Try to say, "Thy will be done!"
"But, dear, do not be so desponding. I know you are very sick; but I think it more your mind than bodily illness. Try to bear up. Pray G.o.d to spare you for your baby"s sake," softly said the comforter.
"Father, you go in and see if you can help her. I will await you outside," whispered David.
A slight knock at the door aroused the kneeling girl, who approached and said:
"Come in, doctor! Why, Mr. Carlton--I was expecting the doctor. This poor girl is very sick; she fainted a while ago. I was very much alarmed and sent a boy for a physician. She is somewhat better now.
Come in; you may soothe her mind, and possibly do more good than the medical man."
"Miss Fairleigh? Is it possible I find you here? I thought you were at the masquerade."
"Heaven bless her, sir," said a woman, arising from a seat beside the sufferer, whom Mr. Carlton recognized as the woman he had seen enter Mr. Fairleigh"s a few hours before. "But for her care, we should have suffered beyond endurance. She has comforted mind and body. Yes, when evil tongues whispered of shame! her pure heart did not fear, or shrink from us. When employers and friends deserted and condemned, she stayed and consoled."
"Hush! She has fainted again. Oh! why does not the doctor come?" said Valeria.
"Thank Heaven! Here he is now."
Mr. Carlton approached the physician (an old acquaintance), and explained to him as well as he could the trouble. The kind-hearted doctor raised the poor, thin hand, felt the feeble pulse, and, turning, answered the anxious, inquiring looks bent on him:
"It is only a swoon; yet she is very weak. However, I think we will bring her round all right in a little while."
"Indeed, she is an honest girl, doctor, although appearances are against her now," said the mother. "Her husband left her before she was taken ill, to remain a short time with his sick uncle. Mr. Bland was fearful of offending his aged relative, and so kept his marriage concealed. She had a few letters when he first left, but, for near two months, not a word have we heard. I fear he is ill. She has grown dreadfully depressed since the birth of her babe. The suspicion resting on her is killing her."
The suffering girl was showing signs of returning consciousness. Then a quick step was heard in the entry. She started up and cried out:
"Willie is come! Thank G.o.d!" and sank back, almost lifeless.
William Bland, for truly it was so, rushed forward and dropped on his knees beside the bed, saying:
"How is this? Why have you not answered my letters? Doctor, save her!"
Advancing, the doctor raised her head gently and gave her a little wine, saying:
"Speak to her, rea.s.sure her; that is all she needs now."
"Listen, Mary love, dear wife, and mother!" he whispered, in astonishment, as Valeria held before him the little sleeping babe, while a flush of paternal pride pa.s.sed over his fine face. "There is no more need of silence; I am free and proud to claim you, darling.
Uncle knows all, and bids me bring you to him. He was very ill. I nursed him and his life was spared. The fatigue, and more than all the worry of mind about you, brought on a severe nervous fever. I have been very ill. Julia knew it. Did you not hear? In my ravings I told all. Uncle has changed much since his recovery. He is no longer ambitious, except for my happiness, and is now waiting to welcome you."
The wonderful medicine had been administered, and already the happy effects were apparent.
With her hand clasped in her husband"s she was slumbering peacefully, while a smile of sweet content lingered on the pale face.
The doctor soon bade adieu, saying:
"I see I shall not be needed any longer. She will very soon be strong again."
"Miss Fairleigh, I am awaiting your pleasure. Are you to return to your home to-night?" asked Mr. Carlton.