Read An Oregon Girl: A Tale of American Life in the New West Page 30

  CHAPTER XXIV.

  The exposure and wet garments, which Constance had worn during themost critical period of her delirium, had the customary effect. Shehad been quickly ushered into the house, the wet clothes removed, herlimbs and feet chafed by tender hands, and under the influence of astimulant, and warmly wrapped and in bed, the poor, worn, exhaustedsoul soon fell asleep. She awoke six hours later in a raging fever.

  The doctor had anticipated that something of the kind would happen,and was in the house at the time of her awakening. In so fragile aconstitution, weakened by grief and trouble, it was not strange thatthe fever made prodigious headway, and swiftly reached its height. Thecrisis arrived several hours after the attack.

  She lay very still, apparently on the confines of death. The mostprofound stillness pervaded the room. The doctor, watch in hand, heldher wrist and noted her pulse. Its beat was so feeble that only hisexperienced fingers could detect it at all. John Thorpe stood at theside of the bed opposite the doctor, bending over and watching herhalf open lips with an intensity of anxiety impossible to describe.Beside him stood Dorothy, with tears trickling down her face, for thechild, though too young to comprehend its meaning, was affected by thesolemnity of the scene, and by her aunt's quiet grief.

  Virginia was kneeling at the foot of the bed, her face buried in herhands, in an endeavor to stifle her sobs, while Mrs. Harris lookedruefully out of the window.

  Several times the doctor moved only to place his ear close toConstance's heart, and again he would place his hand there and pressgently. Now and again he moistened her lips with a piece of ice andcooled the damp cloth on her hot brow.

  At a moment when least expected, she moaned and then her chest heavedwith a light breath. Quietly she opened her eyes and looked slowlyaround. There, before her, stood John and Dorothy. Her eyes rested onthem. She recognized them and smiled faintly and said feebly, scarcelyabove a whisper, "Dorothy, darling, and John!"

  "Safe," announced the doctor, and his face, beaming with confidence,carried joy to the little group of anxious watchers.