Part 44 (1/2)
IN THE HOSPITAL
It was a long, low, rather narrow room, lined with rows of cots, which stretched on either side to the door, now left open to admit free circulation of air. A m.u.f.fled clock ticked on the mantelpiece. Two soldiers, who had been permitted to visit their sick comrades, slumbered heavily, one with head drooped on his chest, the other with chair tilted against the window-facing, and dark-bearded face thrown back. The quivering flame of the candle gleamed fitfully along the line of features--some youthful, almost childish; others bearing the impress of acc.u.mulated years; some crimsoned with fever, others wan and glistening with the dew of exhaustion; here a forehead bent and lowering, as in fancy the sleeper lived over the clash and shock of battle; and there a tremulous smile, lighting the stern manly mouth, as the dreamer heard again the welcome bay of watchdog on the doorstep at home, and saw once more the loved forms of wife and children springing joyfully from the cheery fireside to meet his outstretched arms. A few tossed restlessly, and frequent incoherent mutterings wandered, waif-like up and down the room, sometimes rousing Andrew, who once or twice lifted his head to listen, and then sank back to slumber.
Before a small pine table, where stood numerous vials, Irene drew her chair, and, leaning forward, opened her pocket-Bible, and rested her head on her hand.
A wounded boy started up, twirling one arm, as if in the act of cheering, and then fell back, groaning with pain which the violent effort cost him.
Irene stooped over him, and softly unb.u.t.toning his s.h.i.+rt-collar, removed the hot, b.l.o.o.d.y cloths from his lacerated shoulder, and replaced them with fresh folds of linen, cold and dripping. She poured out a gla.s.s of water, and lifted his head, but he frowned, and exclaimed--
”I won't have it in a tumbler. Mother, make Harry bring me a gourdful fresh from the spring. I say, send Buddie for some.”
She humoured the whim, walked out of the room, and paused in the pa.s.sage.
As she did so, a dark form glided unperceived into a dim corner, and when she re-entered the room with the gourd of water the figure pa.s.sed through the hall-door out into the night.
”Here is your gourd, Willie, fresh and cold.”
He swallowed the draught eagerly, and his handsome face wore a touching expression as he smiled and whispered--
”Hus.h.!.+ Jessie is singing under the old magnolia down by the spring. Listen!
'Fairy Belle!' We used to sing that in camp; but n.o.body sings like Jessie.
So sweet! so sweet!”
He set his teeth hard and shuddered violently, and taking his fingers in hers she found them clenched.
”Andrew!”
”Here I am, Miss Irene.”
”Go upstairs and ask the doctor to come here.”
The surgeon came promptly.
”I am afraid he is going into convulsions. What shall I do for him?”
”Yes; just what I have been trying to guard against. I fear nothing will do any good; but you might try that mixture which acted like a charm on Leavans.”
”Here is the bottle. How much shall I give?”
”A spoonful every half-hour while the convulsions last, if he can swallow it; it can't possibly do any harm, and may ease his suffering. Poor fellow!
may the vengeance of a righteous G.o.d seek out his murderer! I would stay here with you, Miss Huntingdon, if I could render any service. As it is, I am more needed upstairs.”
The paroxysms were short, but so severe that occasionally she required Andrew's a.s.sistance to hold the sufferer on his cot, and as they grew less frequent, she saw that his strength failed rapidly. Finally he fell into a troubled sleep, with one hand clutching her arm.
Nearly an hour pa.s.sed thus, and the nurse knelt softly beside her charge, and prayed long and fervently that the soul of the young martyr might find its home with G.o.d, and that his far-off mourning mother might be strengthened to bear this heavy burden of woe.
As she knelt with her face upturned, a soft, warm palm was laid upon her forehead, and a low, sweet, manly voice p.r.o.nounced in benediction--
”May the Lord bless you, Irene, and abundantly answer all your prayers.”