Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-08-04
w. ID. WALLACH.
THE ELOPEMENT.

x, L
read on the slate, "Mary -, No. - Dau-
phia street. Please call Immediately" The
proximity to my residence, as we'll as the sex
Of the applicant, induced me to give this the
preference Of a first call Upon discovering
the house by the number given, 1 was not
little surprised on finding nyself accosted by
several young females wfts were standing at
the door, and who welcomed me as if / were
an old Acquaintance. The matron of the es-
tablishment next approached me, followed BY
the remainder of her household. She was
large, pOrtly woman, of well-formed features,
but with a lesden expression of the eye which
chilled familiarity. Her " / am glad to see
you, was delivered in the same tone as she
would reply to a dun to ''csll Tomorrow"
You have some one sick with your" / re-
marked.
eyes - abe replied; s'thers is one of the girls
who has been taken sick, and nothing would
satisfy her but to send for you. / believe her
nurse put the notion into her head. She wants
for nothing, as can take care of my own sick;
but she has seen you visiting next door, and
fancies you can do something for her. Let me
show you TO her room"
At the doorway Of the room was met by the
nurse, who had been frequently in our employ.
i entered, followed by the matron and all the
girls, seven or eight in number.
Mary" said the matron, "here is Mr..
-n
''Oh, am so glad you have come, sir; did
not expect it," at the same time holding out
her hand to me, and requesting all others
present to retire for a few minutes. To OK
anime into the condition of my patient the
better, brought the candle beside the bed
Her face was partially enveloped in the sheet
and her head sunk deep in a feather pillow
AS took hold Of her wrist, she begged me TO
tell her the truth Of her situation, for, she
said, Il am not prepared to die, and least of
all kn- l. z FL N
and nurse had successfully done their Office
and, to all appearance, the symptoms were
favorable. On my assuring her to that effect,
she raised her head, and leaning it upon her
hand, ejaculated-
Thank God thank God ;" with great en-
phasis. +" did not send for you" she contin-
nsd, {" because have no faith in my physician;
but wished to be assured, from another than
him, that would recover. L am tOrmented
by day and night with thoughts and dreams
that make me despise myself heartily, and 1
should die Of despair did l not believe that I
may yet live to repent and reform"
reassured her of her favorable symptoms.
and required Of her to dwell only on the GER
tainty of that future of reform and usefulness
she hoped for l was about leaving her with
her nurse, who had just entered, when she
asked me, imploringly, to call in on the NOR
row, as she had something to say which she
felt she had not strength then to communicates
When entered her room the next morning
she was awake, but did not notice my presence
until / addressed her. 1t seemed had driven
away pleasing reverie, for her recognition
was followed by formally expressed "You
are here ~ To my different inquiries, she re-
piled and remarked as follows that she had
slept for a few hours after / left but since,
until daylight, her wandering thoughts had
raised visions Of gloomy character; that she
felt now that she was not so we'll as yesterday
and piteously besought me te do my utmost to
save her.
81 But you are doing well Mary, - 1 observed .
Oh, no no, sir feel that am not. L
dread that / am not" "
On saying this she covered her eyes with her
arm, and sobbed loudly.
Mary" said i, in as angry a tone as
could counterfeit, " / came here TO relieve
your suffering, and to cheer you under your
afliction If you continue to aggravate your
sickness by these demonstrations, and in nv
presence, too, the object will be better gained
BY my absence. You cannot know upon what
little your life depends. If you continue to
despOnd thus, even though you were much
better, you will die. You are now safe-I saw.
safe, wanting only obedience to all that is re-
quired of you. For you, a girl of sense, to
anticipate your fate by harboring a suspicion
Of the worst, is unaccountable weakness Cheer
up, Had you the stength to stand up and look
at yourself in the glass you would wonder, as
do. that you are taken to be ill. Let me see
you smile, nay, laugh, if it is not too great an
effort"
The nurse handed me potion for her. As
L plAoea IL to her lips, she made a sour grim
ace; then, with the remark, ''Am not brave !''
swallowed the whole of it.
Nov" said she, " / feel like another per-
son. Celeste, tell Emily want to see her. -
In few minutes the latter entered.
Give me your hand, Emily" she said.
Forgive me for what / said to you yester-
day: L know L hurt your feelings Am /
forgiven 2'
"OeTtainly," was the reply of young girl
of melancholy sweetness Of countenance. who
appeared touched by the explanation, or the
cause Of it. They exchanged few words, and
was left alone with Mary and the nurse
Before leaving the room the shutters had
been opened tor some purpose, which gave me
an opportunity Of seeing particularly the fea
lures OF my patient. Her face was oval, her
eyes blue, and fringed by their almond shaped
line OF lashes, a nose retrOusse, her mouth
large and well-defned, and a chin wherein
was seated a dimple that alone would beautify
the entire expression Of worse features Her
auburn hair yet retained the braids. tbough
rufied, which il had when she was taken sick.
i judged her to be about twenty years of age.
Yet how difficult it is to estimate by years a
life which IS crowded with events such as hers
had recently experienced.
When / returned in the evening her symp-
toms were not so favorable. The physician
had ordered her TO be kept free from Intrusion.
II appears that she dreaded to be left alone,
and, as soon as was gone, she was surrounded
by the other girls Of the house. called the
matron to me, and told her that when / was
called in to the sick made it a point TO be
second to the physician; that, from disobedi
ence TO his orders, in crowding the sick room
and talking to the patient, they were killing
her.
She is convalescsnt," continued. "AlI
she now requires is repose and quiet These
she must have, if have TO put guard at the
door, or do not return"
Complete compliance was expressed to nv
wishes.
Except Emily said Mary. "Shs will
not talk to me, and have much comfort in
her company"
80 this consented. With worse promise
for herself, and with increased sympathy Of
her companions and attendants. her bons If
recovery was yet stronger than il had been.
With ''good night" and advice to coax her
self into sleep, for the prospect of repayine me
for my visits by seeing her improvement ON
the morrow, left.
On the foIlOyinv mornin0 at tan o,cto,L II