Part 24 (2/2)
Anna Pierson forgot her weariness as she seated herself with her writing desk to finish up her day's toils by penning the promised letters of sympathy and condolence to the friends of those who had that day entered the silent land where there would be no more war; and when all was finished thoughts of home, and loved ones waiting there, came and she wrote on, closing with the promise to finish on the morrow after she had seen him whom she came to seek. And then she slept.
Before the night had gathered up all its dark shadows there came a low rap on her door which aroused her, and, springing from her bed, wondered how she could have slept so long. Mrs. Howard entered.
”I am sorry to awake you so soon,” she said, ”but he seems so anxious to have you come to him, that I could not well wait longer. I told him there was a lady here to see him, but would not tell him your name. He appears a little brighter this morning, and says he rested pretty well,”
she continued. ”Shall I tell him you are coming?”
”Yes, in just a minute; for you know it does not take us Yankee girls long to dress,” she responded, a.s.suming a playfulness she did not at all feel. True to her word, however, in a marvelously short time she opened the door of the sick man's chamber softly and closed it again as noiselessly behind her. His face was turned towards the wall, and he did not move until she stood beside him. Softly laying her hand on his she whispered his name, ”George St. Clair.” A sudden flush of joy overspread his face as his fingers closed tightly over hers, while the response, ”Anna, my good angel, how came you here?” burst from his lips.
”How glad I am that I have not on that hated uniform. You will not despise me now? But tell me first how came you here?”
”Just as any one would who had not wings to fly; but my mission is to take care of you until you get well.”
”I am unworthy. But talk to me of loved ones, of yourself, of everything.”
A pleasant hour followed, and both were happier than they had been for many a day. Clouds were rising that were to cover the calm blue of the clear sky above them, but they saw them not.
How kind in the Father to deal out his chastenings as he does his blessings, one by one, else the poor heart could not bear them!
[Ill.u.s.tration]
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE DARK, DARK WAVE.
”Anna.” It was a faint, tremulous voice that called through the half-open door of the wounded man's chamber, as the young girl was pa.s.sing; but it was sufficiently clear to arrest her progress, and she stood still for a moment, listening and wondering that she should be called at such a time. The surgeon was in attendance, as was his custom, although the hour was an early one, he being, as St. Clair had told her, an old friend and traveling companion in Europe a few years before, which accounted without doubt for his unusual attention at such a busy time. Anna had not met him during the few days she had been in the house as her services had not been required during his visits, wherefore her surprise at now hearing her name. While thinking the matter over the call was repeated, and without farther hesitation she hastened to him.
The wounded man was lying on his side, partly supported by his servant, whose tears of sympathy were rapidly flowing. The surgeon was bending over the prostrate form with face unmoved, probing and dressing the fearful wound. In a moment Anna was kneeling by the drooping head which hung faintly down on the side of the bed, and, with a sudden impulse of feeling, raised it tenderly to her shoulder and pressed her lips on his cold, damp forehead.
”Poor George,” she whispered, as she smoothed back his dark hair, ”it is very hard. How sorry I am for you.”
”I can bear it all now, and more if need be,” and the strained eyes which looked up into the pale anxious face bore testimony to his words.
”It is hard to suffer with no loving hand to wipe the drops of agony from the brow, but endurable when fond lips kiss them away. Dear girl!”
he added, in a whisper, just as the surgeon finished his work, bidding the servant to lay him down gently upon the pillow. When this was done he turned, and apparently for the first time discovered that another had joined their number.
”There, my good fellow,” he remarked, cheerfully, ”I hope you will not be obliged to go through that operation again. It is healing nicely; and if we can keep the inflammation down and the wound open under the shoulder-blade for a few days, the best results may be hoped for. The trouble is, St. Clair, you have too many chicken-hearted ones to care for you. Your servant must be more thorough.” While making this remark his eyes were fixed intently on the face of Anna.
”Miss Pierson, doctor,” said St. Clair, with an attempt to a formal introduction, ”and let me tell you, she would never be worthy of the slur you have just cast. Should you tell her to perform your most disagreeable commands, I feel positive they would be carried out to the very letter.”
”You are welcome to try me,” said Anna.
”Can I trust you?”
”I came for that very purpose.”
”Then listen.” Whereupon followed a long list of commands and injunctions.
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