New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-06-25
eu Orleans asy Gseseu Hauaas gsornius yue 25 1860


D ails yon, love- and when hc answered as light
}. only q slight pain here.n touching the center
i his brow she gave Il no other thought.
y Not 70 With Karl. That slight pain y ipcreas
from day to day. and cloud obscured his man
beauty. From place to place he hurried his brid
tarrying here, tsrrying there, Just so long as Il
volatle spirit Of his wife demanded 4, then hurr
lag away to seek new pleasures.
And Karl learned at length that this was n
plan Of his life as laid down by Madame Felicis
There vas to be no home, no domestic Joy.
peaceful quiet. The happiness he had dreamed
was o bubble broken on Ills lips; the waves
passion had rolled away. and only arid sand Ia
bare and barren on his shores Of life.
Business. travel, change, all failed TO make tt
letters he had assumed sit lightly. they were rus
ing deep into his very soul aud while his frivoior
wife spent night after night In merry seeking, whc
often wound mp with cards and dice, Karl Riverto
| would sit alone with his thoughts upon the yeun
\ girl whose heart he had broken, whose life he ha
| hlighted, whose pathway he had deserted, yetwh
had yielded him up with forgiving words and
parting kiss! All, that slight pain in his forehead
At such times how acute 1t was
What seems to be the matter Riverton ~ sal
the physician, who at last was summoned to Karl
l sick-bed.
II am not able TO tell you that, doctor: m,
nights are siespless my days restless-and then
have pain here, touching his brow, . sensation
as Of claws spread out and withdrawn-a pain witt
numerous branches. yet root which seems striv
ing to strike deeper Account for it Ii you can
'tis more than can do unless
He stopped abruptly, as he was abott 10 add
unless poor Margaret's burning lips have left ii
eternal impress there.s
The doctor had known him from his boyhood
and as he bent over the young mans pillow, his
cheek grew very pale and he turned away hi,
head.
Whys Because In the very center OF that noble
brow in painful contrast to Its general whiteness
burned dark red spot-a liyid, angry rose, which
the physicians eye needs 70 rest upon but once Ii
know that its thorns must pierce all the victims
after life.
Take this draft, il will compose your nerves
md bring quiet. After you have slept will see
you again and you will be stronger He laid
iown the wrist whose palse he had been counting.
took the glass from which Karl had drained the
potion and left his patient In the darkened room
alone. He would have given many of the best fees
he ever had in his fe could lie have given to some
other the painful task Of telling young Riverton the
fearful truth 1t would be his duty to utter when
next he crossed that threshold.
But it was not to devolvs upon him after all
Karl had not failed to note the palor Of the doctors
face as he had glanced ct his brow. No sooner
was be alone than he lifted bis hand to the fatal
spot. There was slight protuberanee now. such
~ be had not felt befors--a knotty, schirrhous,
h,,pt iy,l,,
rose and fell beneath his touch. He sprung from
his couch, threw back the curtains and gazed into
the mirror. deadly palor overspread his face;
the curtains fell from his weakened grasp, and,
tettering back to his bed, he dropped senseess on
bis pillows.
When the doctor came that afternoon he found
bis patient lying calm and silent, the crimson
plague spot on his forehead the only excited
symptom about him.
Spare yourself the painful announcement,
ioctor," he said in low, calm voice, as with
Up that struggled to be steady. The physician
'trove TO speak. / know al--this foe which has
let Its seal upon my forehead is cancer!p
We will hope for the best,n said the doctor In
j tone which belied his words.
We will hope for nothing,'' Karl said calmly,
ave with patient fortitude to ease this erring
pirt from Its polluted temple at last.
= Where is your wife, Let me send for her.
Gone home TO France.
s What! deserted upon your sick bed, River. |
~
"She did not know the nature of nv disease. |
loctor. was to have accompanied her on this |
rip, and when her party came had not the heart
Q make my illness a reason for OBTAINING her |
hongh used It as my own excuse for remaining |
'ehind. To be frank with you, Felieite's love |
Fould never survive the dsnguring effects OF this
errible disease.n
The Doctor shook his head sadly.
This is not hereditary humor?'' he asked,
fter gazing long into Karl's face.
You have received no blow upon that spot?'
"No.n
Nothing heavier. than woman's kiss, Karl
aid with faint smile, which died almost instantly
way, for the sort OF superstition which clung to
hat kiss from the moment when, given as bless.
70 he had taken it curse, associated itself in
sparnbly with that " slight pain which preceded
bis fearful visitation.
" Doctor" no added, taking his old friends
and, lit ID written somewhere that even a.
Te rete unto others, SO shall it be meted unto Us
gain !; just such spot as you see upon nv
row, did plant in the heart OF d girl who loved
le-just as incurable, just as fatal to her han.
iness. ] spent years in winning her wholly 10
lyself. deserted her in the space Of a month.
he forgaye me. She blessed me- She laid her
artng kiss Just where this cancer win eat il into
y brain. You see, with my own hand planted
10 seed IN her heart; her parting breath waited a
ortion of 1t back to my brow, where it has taken
,ot. Verify, my punishment Is just,
There was something 40 touching in the suf
rer's tone, the DOCTORS eyes grew heavy with
DISTURB. There was silence for few moments:
EN- rising, and promising to send in soothing
,plication for the burning forehead at once, he
ok leave of his patient.
A year from that time Karl's physician stood in
g reception room of large Southern hospital.
nrersing with pale. .sad-eyed woman, who had
me forth 80 one of those voluntary nurses who
vote their lives to the good Of Others.
" The patient about whom feel most anxious at
escntp said the doctor, q Is one suffering from
incurabie cancer. Its fatal termination cannot
far distant; but Its victim. fearfuly dsfgured.
metimes is subject to fits of frenzy in which self
struction is his only aim. A hopeful, trustful,
seripg companion Is his greatest need af present.
hat say you, Madame, would you be willing to
ldertake such an oiRcef Il will be a great tria,
you; but where such treatment as this nstient
eds is required, We doctors are reugh con.
lers.n
II