Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-28

The next morning Kate hurriedly entered
the drawing room, and was followed by Mr.
Bruce, who had been waiting her presence.
There DIR. Bell stood looking out of the window;
but he turned to give Miss Howard gracious
good morning, while Mr.. Bruce, in no position
seemed to come within his line of vision.
kate's face expressed alarm and agitation.
doctor" " she said, anxiously, Hmy father
you know, has not been in usual health for
few days past, and this morning he has symp-
toms of serious nature. May 1, in the ab-
sence OF our family physician, ask for your SER
vices ?''
DR.. Bell grew very red "I am grieved,"
he said, "to know Of your fathers Illness but
supposed you knew-the fact is, Miss How
ard, could give no medical aid, being Doc
tor" only by eourtesy-a mere college title"
Indeed! You bore it with a good grace
which certainly led us all to believe you justly
81 have spent much time smong the sick,
but am no practitioner. Anything else 1 can
do for you, rest assured i shall only be too
happy to perform"
Then may ask you to remain with or near
my father, until L can secure for him other
attendants?''
20, most assuredly-your requests, Miss
Howard, are with me commands" i"
:" WHAT'S the nature of your fathers malady?
Has it yet assumed any decided form ~ asked
Mr.. Bruce, who had remained a silent listener
to the conversation.
I'VE are fearful" said Kate, ''that it is
small poxi''
"Suall pox," groaned the Doctor, "small
pox, that vile dishgurer of the human face
dlvlne--that loathsome leprosy which leaves
its impress forever on its victims, Small pox.
In this house. in our midst-horror Of horrors
1t has been the dread of my life-and now
breathe its very breath!' Recovering himself
little he suddenly turned to Kate and said ::
Fly, Miss Howard, fly You exposed to this
Irlgnuui scourge-this fearful pestilence. Let
me entreat You to leave this house at once"
" Alas ~ said Kate, ''the disease is so dread
ed, and creates such panic wherever it breaks
out, fear could obtain no efficient aid if
left. Still, Doctor, it will be comfort to know
that can depend upon you-that you will not
desert US in this trying hour. 1 thank you for
your ready promise to remain"
" Miss Kate, you cannot be serious You
would not ask me to face this awful disease-to
run the risk of taking it, of suffering from it
Pardon me, L cannot encounter it.
"Unless deemed unworthy of so sacred
charge, would ask of you, Miss Howard, the
position you have offered to another ?" said
Mr.. Bruce, blushing and embarrassed. u
would deem it a favor. Only seek safety for
yourself
"Mr Bruce will stay" eagerly replied the
pseudo Doctor, forgetting for a moment his foe
in his fright
" You car trust your father with him; he is
not afraid OF the disease. As for myself really
L could not breath this atmosphere another
moment. L would feel that committed sui
eide to do so. will order my horse at once. -
Have you had the disease ?' asked Kate,
turning to Mr.. Bruce.
-" have not; but will guard your fathers
life as L would my own. Only seek some place
of safety for yourself
50 DO fly, Miss Howard" urged the Doctor.
let me bear you from this fearful place"
L cannot CO." said Kate, coldly liam
surprised that the life which last night you of.
fered as target to an enemy's bullet is this
morning too valuable to be risked in the SER
vice of frlend''
Really, Miss Howard1-
Not word, sir! Mr.. Bruce, you will find
my father in the library; not we'll, certainly.
but as free from smallpox as ever in his life,
and ready to answer the questions you yester-
day desired me to authorize your asking"
" Miss Kate-Miss Howard-am to believe
myself the victim of a vile hoax 90 cried the
Doctor, angriIy.
which desired to prove if your moral courage
equalled your animal spirit Of bravado.r
And are your fathers symptoms Of Sc
rious nature?''
Only such as parent would naturally ex-
hibit when told by his own child that in a few
minutes she would send into his presence a
suitor to gain his approval of the choice she
had made OF husband. But you said you
wished to order your horse, Doctor; I will not
detain you-good morning" ;"
Three months after this received the card
of Mr.. and Mrs. George W. Bruce; and as the
young lawyer lives to enjoy the eminent posi-.
tion be desired in his profession, presume the
Doctors duel is indefinitely postponed.