Beulah - Page 31/348

"He is sleeping now very quietly; I think he is better; his fever is

not so high. I will take care of him, and you had better take

another nap before breakfast."

Mrs. Martin obeyed the nurse's injunction, and it was two hours

later when she took her child and directed Beulah to get her

breakfast. But the weary girl felt no desire for the meal, and,

retiring to her attic room, bathed her eyes and replaited her hair.

Kneeling beside her bed, she tried to pray, but the words died on

her lips; and, too miserable to frame a petition, she returned to

the chamber where, in sad vigils, she had spent the night. Dr.

Hartwell bowed as she entered, but the head was bent down, and,

without glancing at him, she took the fretful, suffering child and

walked to the window. While she stood there her eyes fell upon the

loved face of her best friend. Eugene Graham was crossing the

street. For an instant the burning blood surged over her wan, sickly

cheeks, and the pale lips parted in a smile of delight, as she

leaned forward to see whether he was coming in. The door bell rang,

and she sprang from the window, unconscious of the piercing eyes

fastened upon her. Hastily laying little Johnny on his mother's lap,

she merely said, "I will be back soon," and, darting down the steps,

met Eugene at the entrance, throwing her arms around his neck and

hiding her face on his shoulder.

"What is the matter, Beulah? Do tell me," said he anxiously.

Briefly she related her fruitless attempt to see Lilly, and pointed

out the nature of the barrier which must forever separate them.

Eugene listened with flashing eyes, and several times the word

"brutal" escaped his lips. He endeavored to comfort her by holding

out hopes of brighter days, but her eyes were fixed on shadows, and

his cheering words failed to call up a smile. They stood in the hall

near the front door, and here Dr. Hartwell found them when he left

the sickroom. Eugene looked up as he approached them, and stepped

forward with a smile of recognition to shake the extended hand.

Beulah's countenance became instantly repellent, and she was turning

away when the doctor addressed her: "You must feel very much fatigued from being up all night. I know

from your looks that you did not close your eyes."

"I am no worse looking than usual, thank you," she replied icily,

drawing back as she spoke, behind Eugene. The doctor left them, and,

as his buggy rolled from the door, Beulah seemed to breathe freely

again. Poor child; her sensitive nature had so often been deeply

wounded by the thoughtless remarks of strangers, that she began to

shrink from all observation, as the surest mode of escaping pain.

Eugene noticed her manner, and, biting his lips with vexation, said

reprovingly: "Beulah, you were very rude to Dr. Hartwell. Politeness costs

nothing, and you might at least have answered his question with

ordinary civility."