Beulah - Page 30/348

"I shall remain until she comes home."

Beulah was pacing up and down the floor, with Johnny in her arms;

Dr. Hartwell stood on the hearth, leaning his elbow on the

mantelpiece, and watching the slight form as it stole softly to and

fro. Gradually the child became quiet, but his nurse kept up her

walk. Dr. Hartwell said abruptly: "Sit down, girl! you will walk yourself into a shadow."

She lifted her head, shook it in reply, and resumed her measured

tread.

"What is your name?"

"Beulah Benton."

"Beulah!" repeated the doctor, while a smile flitted over his

mustached lip. She observed it, and exclaimed, with bitter emphasis: "You need not tell me it is unsuitable; I know it; I feel it.

Beulah! Beulah! Oh, my father! I have neither sunshine nor flowers,

nor hear the singing of birds, nor the voice of the turtle. You

ought to have called me Marah."

"You have read the 'Pilgrim's Progress' then?" said he, with a

searching glance.

Either she did not hear him, or was too entirely engrossed by

painful reflection to frame an answer. The despairing expression

settled upon her face, and the broken threads of memory wove on

again.

"Beulah, how came you here in the capacity of nurse?"

"I was driven here by necessity."

"Where are your parents and friends?"

"I have none. I am alone in the world."

"How long have you been so dependent?"

She raised her hand deprecatingly, nay commandingly, as though she

had said: "No more. You have not the right to question, nor I the will to

answer."

He marked the look of unconquerable grief, and, understanding her

gesture, made no more inquiries.

Soon after, Mrs. Martin returned, and, having briefly stated what

had occurred, and given directions for the child's treatment, he

withdrew. His low "good-night," gently spoken to the nurse, was only

acknowledged by a slight inclination of the head as he passed her.

Little Johnny was restless, and constantly threatened with a return

of the convulsions. His mother held him on her knee, and telling

Beulah she "had been a good, sensible girl to bathe him so

promptly," gave her permission to retire.

"I am not at all sleepy, and would rather stay here and nurse him.

He does not moan so much when I walk with him. Give him back to me."

"But you will be tired out."

"I shall not mind it." Stooping down, she lifted the restless boy,

and, wrapping his cloak about him, commenced the same noiseless

tread. Thus the night waned; occasionally Mrs. Martin rose and felt

her babe's pulse, and assisted in giving the hourly potions, then

reseated herself, and allowed the hireling to walk on. Once she

offered to relieve her, but the arms refused to yield their burden.

A little after four the mother slept soundly in her chair. Gradually

the stars grew dim, and the long, undulating chain of clouds that

girded the eastern horizon kindled into a pale orange that

transformed them into mountains of topaz. Pausing by the window, and

gazing vacantly out, Beulah's eyes were suddenly riveted on the

gorgeous pageant, which untiring nature daily renews, and she stood

watching the masses of vapor painted by coming sunlight, and

floating slowly before the wind, until the "King of Day" flashed up

and dazzled her. Mrs. Martin was awakened by the entrance of a

servant, and starting up, exclaimed: "Bless me! I have been asleep. Beulah, how is Johnny? You must be

tired to death."