THE TWO GORGONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 779, 4 February 1887, Page 8

THE TWO GORGONS.

ST MRS E. H. HOUGH. ‘Oh, Alfred, why do you make such a noise !’ exclaimed a weak, querulous voice, as Mr Marble entered a room on the second story of his residence, shutting the door somewhat carelessly behind him, but making scarcely the slightest perceptible noise. , . ‘ How do you feel to-day, Anna ? was the gentleman’s only response, as he approached her chair. * i should think you would know from my looks,’ was the pettish reply. ‘ I have had one of my worst spells to-day, and scarcely feel as if I would live through the night.’ , , , , . ‘ Why, my dear,’ urged her husband, in a tone of ’ gentle remonstrance, ‘ my sisters, Susie and Kate, were in at the store to-da< and said they had called to see you, and that you did not appear any worse than US1 ‘Jnst what I might expect,’ retorted the invalid, with some spirit. 4 It would be impossible for those two great, hearty creatures to understand my delicate, constitution. They drove me into hysterics with their loud talking and want of sympathy. I did not recover from it far more than two the doctor called to day ?’ asked Mr Marble. «y e 3 - but did not change my medicine, although he sees it is doing me no good ;and the food that stupid Jane brings me is enough to send me to my grave. If I could-have a good nurse and a decent housekeeper with me, the few weeks I have to live might be made a little more endurable ; but, as it is’ and quite overcome by her feelings the lady buried her face in her perfumed lace handkerchief, and burst into tears. Mr Marble regarded her for a moment in silent perplexity, and was about to speak, when the dinner-bell sounded. ‘ 'There’s that dreadful bell !’ exclaimed his wife with a start and a shudder. ‘ O-h-h ! it sets my nerves all of a quiver. But do go down to your dinner. Of course, you must eat. Just band me my vinaigrette, and send Jane up to sit with me. I expect I shaU have another of my fainting spells. That hell must not be rung in the house any more, my nerves canuot stand it. Oh ! if I only had some one with me who could understand my peculiar organization !’ This last remark, however, was of no use

beyond the satisfaction it afforded the invalid herself, for Mr Marble, having placed the smelling-bottle on a little table beside her chair, had quickly and quietly escaped from the room.

Three years before Mr Marble had led to the altar, then in the full flush of youth aud health, the woman who was now sitting from morning till night iri her room, declaring herself at death’s door, and doing all she could, with the aid of imagination and in utter disregard of good common sense, to shorten her earthly span as much as possible. The real malady with which Mrs Marble was afflicted was not mentioned in the list of ailments which she was accustomed to detail with much satisfaction to sympathizing girls. As a girl, she had enjoyed to the full the feminine pastimes of flirtation aud conquest ; to which had succeeded the romance of being ‘engaged,’ the bustle and exoitemeut of the wedding, and the 6 lat that she hud for a while occasioned as a brido. But when nil those had passed by, and she found herself settling down into ttie ordinary routine of every-day life, the lady found the situation alarmingly dull. Tc her, balls, parties, theatres, and kindred amusements were already pass(s ; elioppiug and dressing mere transitory and ephemeral delights. Mie had even tried to interest herself in that fashionable social fiotion known as organised charity, and had been lady directress of one or two social societies, whose annual reports—-giving tbo full number that had been taken in, but conveniently forgetting to mention how many of the li*tie waifs had died or ran away—had bovne her imuis in prominent capitals. In short, Mrs Marble, having compassed the entire round of conventional amusements, was at length driven to that almost inevitable resort of the onnuied lady of fashion—the interesting invalid. Mr-* Marble had no children. * Was not very likely to have any so long as she persisted in that insane course of living,’ the doctor said. And to the suggestion of her sister-in-law that she should adopt a little girl, whose care and education might serve to interest her, she had replied that she was certain any such responsibilities would weaken her already Gender hold up'n life.

As Mr Marble sat discussing bis solilarv meal on the evening referred to, and revolving in his mind all sorts of possible and impossible projects for putting an end to this distressing Btato ot affairs, a bright idea occurred to him, and having finished his dinner with a better relish, he returned to his wife’s room.

Immediately after reaching his office the next morning, Mr Marble dispatched a letter, to whioh he received an answer by the afternoon post, the perusal of which afforded him great satisfaction. ‘ Well, my dear,’ he said, as he entered his wife’s room that evening, ‘ I have secured the services of a highly recommended nurse, also a housekeeper, and they will be li9re tomorrow.’ Mrs Marble leaned back in her chair with a faint smile. She had at last succeeded in co:i vincing her sceptical husband init she was a veritable invalid, and in need of epecial aud peculiar care. ‘ You are very good, Alfred,’ she murmured at last, in a voice more languid and pathetic than ever ; ‘ but I will not trouble you long.’ About five o’oloc-k the n<*xt afternoon, as Mrs Marble was reclining in her easy chair, the door of her room was opened softly, and a female figure, clad in a sad-colored gown, and wearing a large cap and blue tpeo tacles, glided in, and approached her. ‘ Mrs Marble, I presume V she said, in a low, almost sepulchral tone. ‘I am the nurse your husband engaged. The servant wus coining up to announce my arrival, but I saw at once, from her voice and manner, that she would be almo-t certain to upset your nerve**, so I came right up. You are, I perceive, in a very delicate state of health, and must be guarded with the utmost care.’ ‘ You are quite right,’ replied the invalid, with a gratified smile. ‘Your name, please ?’ • Mrs Mogloo,’ in the same sepulchral tone. ‘ Do I speak too loud V ‘ Oh, no, not at all/ replied the lady, speaking herself, unwittingly, in a firmer tone thau usual. •Sh !’ the nurse held up a warning tmger ; ‘your tone denotes some excitement, which, in your fragile state of health, should be carefully avoided. Isn’t the room tjo light V ‘Well—yes, perhaps so,’ said the patient, hesitatingly. ‘Nething mote injurious to a person of your extremely sensitive organisation, commented the nurse, as she glided from window to window, closing the shutters and drawing down the shades ; * you are like those delicate plants that wither in too strong a glare. Bow let me feel your pulse.’ Mrs Marble languidly extended one hand. ‘ Ah ! feeble aud £ uttering !’ murmured her attendant. ‘You must have been a greut sufferer. The wonder is that you have survived so long ; and now all we can do is to make your descent into the grave as easy and peaceful as possible. Are you conscious of much pain !’ . . * Not much,’ replied the invalid, pathetically.

‘Ahem 1 that stage of the disease is past, then. We must keep everything hb quiet as possible — no noise, no strong light. Do I speak too loud ?’ * Oh, no,’ replied Mrs Marble, unconsci* onsy modulating her own voice consider ably. • Mrs Swanson, the now’ housekeeper, will bring up your tea presently. I told her to prepare something v ry light and delicate, that would not overtax your digostiou the least. You have scarcely any appetite, I understand?’ , , 4 Not very much/ replied tiie lier imagination adapting itself to the prevailing circumstances, with a convenient disregard of the somewhat substantial lunch of which she bad partaken. , , ‘ Energies rapidly failing 1’ commented the nurse, sotto voce. ‘ Your diet must be regulated with the utmost care. Just a little taste of food now and then—a mere canary-bird allowance. Do I speak too loud ? She was again assured to the contrary ; after which she enpined her patient to try and get a little sleep, aDd sat gently fanning her. This was being aji invalid to sone purpose, Mrs Marble thought, delightedly. Her bus band had never believed her sick, and even the doctor had had the presumption or stupidity to epestk of u flood constitution ftnd hint at fancy ailments. But here was an experienced nurse, who discovered at ouce the extremely delicate and fragile state of her health, and was prepared to tieat all the numerous and complicated phases of her After a short time the door was again opened, and a figure, the exact counterpart of Mrs Moglon, glided in, bearing u tray, on which were three small dishes, one containing a few spoonfuls of delicate broth, another a tiny bit of toast, and the third a few drops of jeltv. ‘That is right,’ said the nu-se, surveying the traj. ‘This will set easy on your stomach and be readily assimilated. Perhaps you bad befter not eat it all, though. Take a little wine first,’ holding about a thimbleful to her lips. ‘Now, if you feel strong enough, you may venture to eat, and then I must immediately assist you to bed.’ Kor the first three days the novelty of this new regime and tho untiring assiduity of Mrs Moglon was quite delightful. In three days more it was growing a trifle monotonous. And by tho end of two weeks it had become intolerable. Her room was kept in ghostly darkness, and she could nob move a step or otter a word without evoking a warning from the nurse as to the fatal effects of undue exoitement and imaginary strength. The doctor shook his head ominously at each call ; and the invalid fancied she could detect upon her husband’s countenance a look of sad resignation, which, somehow, was by no means gratifying to her. «I wish I could have more light here 1 she exclaimed one day. ‘ I would like to read a little.’ .

Mrs Moglon held np her hands. ‘ Light ! Read ! My dear Mrs Marble, I would'r.ot be answerable for the consequences! Perhaps, though,’ she added, * I may venture to read a little to you. I wid open a window and sit by it—first, however, placing the screen before you. What shall I read ?’ ‘You will find the last novel I was reading lying on the table over there,’ said her patient, in a more amiable tone. ‘Oh ! not novels, my dear. They would be too exciting. Something soothing, oven solemn, is what your case requires. I have a few of my grandfather’s sermons with me, that will, I think, be exactly suited to your state of mind.’ And drawing a small roll from her pocket, she began to read an essay on the duty of being entirely resigned to every description of suffering and sorrow, varying the entertainment at intervals by asking : ‘Do I read too loud ?’

Mrs Marble bore it as long as she could ; then begged the nurse to desist, on the plea that she would like to sleep, anathematizing ‘ the old gorgon ’ under her breath in very vigorous terms. Two days later Mrs Marble was lying on her bed, apparently asleep, when the door opened to admit the housekeeper. ‘ Here is Mrs Marble’s dinner,’ she said ; ‘ but I see she is asleep.’ ‘ Yes, poor thing !’ signed tho nurse. ‘And she will be asleep for good before long, or I’m mistaken.’ , •So I told Mr Marble this morning, at breakfast’ responded Mrs Swanson. ‘ And what did lie say ?’ asked the nurse. ‘ Well —ahem !—nothing much, except to remark that my biscuits tasted uncommonly nice, and that I was the only person he ever met who knew just how much sugar to put in his coffee. I don’t know how the poor man will get on when I leave ; for, of course, you know it wouldn’t be proper for mo to stay after his wife dies.’ ‘ Unless you stay in another relation,’ said Mrs Moglon, suggestively. ‘You can’t expect a man situated as he is to stay unmarried very long. You would have a gord setting out, too, for Mrs Marble lias quite an abundant wardrobe, and her dresses will just about fit you. I’ll bring one to vour room by and by, and you can try it on.’ • Well, I must go now, and see how that plum-pudding comes on that I promised Mr Marble for dinner,’ said Mrs Swanson. « And I’ll run out and catch a breath of air while Mrs Marble is asleep/ said the nurse, following her. The moment the door bad closed behind tho * two gorgons,’ Mrs Marble arose and walked over to the glass. ‘ So !’ she exclaimed, trembling with indignation, * T look as if I wouldn’t last very long, do I ! I’ll last long euough to have both those hussies out of the house, I guess, and long enough to wear out those dresses she’s counting on as part of her dowry. I suspect now that they’ve been deliberately plotting to starve and smother me to death; but they shall see that I am not quite so easy to kill as they think.’ She had just succeeded in dressing berseh in one of her most attractive costumes, when the door opened, and the nurse stood transfixed upon the threshold. ‘ Mrs Marble !’ she exclaimed. ‘ Dear me ! Are you out of your senses ? Do please take off that dresß at once, and go back to bed 1’

‘ No, I thank you, Mrs Moglon,’ replied t the lady. ‘I am in full possession of my senses; and am, moreover, going down to dinner.’ ‘ Down to dinner !’ gasped the nurse; ‘ when you have not stirred out of your room for the last five weeks. I will not answer for your life, Mrs Marble.’ * I can do all the answering necessary on that, and several other subjects,’ was the cool reply, as Mrs Marble wulked deliberately past her, and descended the stairs, rather slowly, it is true, but in a remarkably life-like, not to say defiant, manner, followed by Ihei nurse. Mr Marble was in the act of taking h;s seat at tho table, when the door opened, aad his wife stood before him. * Why, my dear !’ he exclaimed, ‘ how could you— ’ «la there anything so very unusual in a lady presiding at h.*r husband’s table, Mr Marble V responded his wife, taking the chair Mrs Swanson wus about to appropriate. ‘ Well —no,’ stammered the gentleman ; * but your health—’ ‘Has taken a decidedly favorable turn, thank you ! Ladies ’ —addressing the ‘ two gorgons ’ —‘ I would like to have some private conversation with my husband. . i will let you know if I need your assii-tanee ;’ and acting upon tho hint the attendants withdrew.

‘Now, my dear, I have just one thing to say to you/ said Mrs Marble, with spirit. *lt is very evident to mo that those two women don t understand my case at all, and I do not wish you to incur any further expense in thit direction. I shall dismiss them at once/

‘But my dear,’ remonstrated her husband, «is not this action very abrupt? Will it not bo better to wait until—’ ‘ I think not/ interposed Mrs Marble, whb a suspicious flash of the eyes. ‘ Delays are dangerous. If I require any further assistance I will send for ausie or Kate, and have some one with me who can speak like a living creature aud not like a galvanised corpse. I will give them notice at once that they must leave to-morrow morning. 1

Stepping into the next room, Mrs Marble behold the ‘two gorgons’ standing side be side, stiff and erect, in the middle of the room.

‘You needn’t trouble yourself to say a word, madam,’ said the nurse, anticipating her as she was about to speak. ‘We have heard all you said to your husband, and since that is ihe extent of your gratitude for our unwearied aud faithful services, we will not wait for you to dismiss us, but dismiss ourselves.’ She turned, as she spoke, towards the housekeeper ; there were a few rapid and dexterous movements of *heir hands, then cap®, wigs, and spectacles fell to the floor, and the merry, laughing faces of Susie and Kate met Mrs Marble’s astonished vision. ‘What—what does this mean V stammered the lady, looking from one to the other of the three conspirators, for her husband had also joined the group. Then putting out one hand, while a smile played around the corners of her mouth', she continued : «There —there ! never mind ! 1 see througn the whole plot. You three have rut your wicked beads' together to cure my malady ; and I must say you have succeeded admirably. But, oh, you good-for-nothing !’ she added, giving Kate, who had personated the housekeeper, a vigorous shake ; * talking about making love to my husband, and trying on my dresses. I heard every word.’ ‘I knew you did !’ said mischievous Kate ; ‘ but as the matter now B‘ands, I am not likely to prove each a formidable rival ! Aud I think you better not dismiss me right away, Anna, but let me stay a few days and show you how to make those biscuits.’ ‘ Aud let me read to you the remainder of those manuscript sermons/ supplemented Susie, roguishly. ‘ Indeed, I shall keep you both here for gome time, as a punishment !’ said Mrs Marble, after enjoying a hearty laugh. ‘And when mv health is restored, if I feel the need of any further diversion, I will adopt end bring up some dear little girl, as you suggested a long time ago.’ ‘ You do not know how delighted I am, my dear wife, to witness these happy results,’ said her husband, putting bis arm around her, and kissing her with more real affection than he had manifested for some time. Mrs Marble’s recovery was rapid and permanent. Susie and Kate remained with her until she was thoroughly instructed in all the details of housekeeping which hud formerly been left entirely to the care of servants, and in the active prosecution of which she found the long desired boon of healfh. Nothing more was said, however, at tho time of their departure, with regard to the project of adopting a little girl ; but some months later, a letter going out in Mrs Marble’s hand-writing, aidres«edto her sister-in-law, contained this closing paragraph : ‘ Come down as soon as you can, prepared to make us a good, long visit. At any rate, I want you to be here in time to be present at the biby’s christening. She is a dear little creature, and I propose to call her Kate.’