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But all his efforts proving vain, he, in a state of mind difficult to describe, tore a leaf from his pocket-book, wrote a few hurried lines to Elmsley, requesting him to allow his wife to come over immediately with Von Vottenberg, and when they had departed, to call upon Captain Headley and explain the cause of his absence.
Ronayne, sir I have myself been over to his quarters, and looked into his bed-room, but it is clear that he has not been in bed all night." "What is the meaning of all this? Send Doctor Von Vottenberg here immediately."
You must for once in your life use deceit, and say that Van Vottenberg desires her presence in the fort, because his duties have become so severe that he can no longer absent himself to bestow upon her that professional care she so much requires. Nay, look not so incredulous.
Indeed, I scarcely think this young lady would have made her appearance at the breakfast-table, had she not expected to meet who was it, my dear? and she turned an arch look upon her friend "ah! I know now Von Vottenberg."
Corporal Nixon was now Sergeant Nixon Collins had succeeded to him, and Le Noir and the boy Catholic and Protestant had been buried in one grave. Ephraim Giles filled the office of factotum to Von Vottenberg, whose love of whisky punch, was, if possible, on the increase.
A large tub of whisky-punch, the gift of the commanding officer, had been brewed by Von Vottenberg, for their mid-day revel, and this, all had been unanimous in pronouncing the best medicine the doctor had ever administered to them; and now in small social messes, seated round their rude tables, covered with tin goblets, and pitchers of the same metal the mothers with their children at their side or upon their knees, and the fathers and unmarried men puffing clouds of smoke from their short pipes which they filled from two others placed on an elevated settle one in each block house which the happy Ronayne had given them on the occasion.
And lucky was it for that gentleman that the officer who now desired his attendance on the commandant had roused him from that Lethean slumber in which he had been, only a few minutes before, so luxuriously indulging. "Doctor Von Vottenberg," commenced the captain, as soon as that official made his appearance before him; "you are quartered with Mr. Ronayne.
"Who would have thought that one with those soft black eyes, more fitted for a woman than a man, would hazard so glowing a speech, after an acquaintance of barely five minutes?" "Who says Chicago doesn't abound in adventure?" sneered Von Vottenberg, as he arose and passed into the apartment of his patient.
She still believed her husband to be at the farm. But, as it was not likely she could much longer remain in ignorance of what had been the subject of conversation with every one around her, it was advised by Von Vottenberg, that, as the warmth of spring was now fully developed, and all dread of the Indians resuming their hostile visit, at an end, she should be conveyed back to the cottage, the pure air around which, was much more likely to improve her health, than the confined atmosphere of the Fort.
Last of the officers of this little fort, was the surgeon. Doctor Von Vottenberg, who as his name would imply, was a descendant from one of the earlier Dutch settlers in the colonies. There was nothing remarkable about this gentleman.
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