Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-06-14

tuition as | do. You must not, however
pain him by telling him you have not takel
his stuff, so l will send you some tonic tha
resembles it in color, but less violent Thi
was too much for you. Jack was right
he was right, but he has not taken into &C
count your age, Fanny"
could not take it yesterday, and Jacl
was very angry"
You take the medicine shall send yor
when | return directly it comes take i
every two hours till the sickness abates.-
Now, come, lie back, Fanny you are very
wax"
The pale worn face turned toward hin
and smiles on him, then the head sank bach
ON the pillow, and the weary eyelids closed
g cannot shake off this stupor, john
Good-by, and bless you, dear John !"
The Doctor signed to Lefty to leave the
room. When she had done so, and the door
closed, he sat down by is sisters bedside
sorrow-stricken and thoughtful in that 81
lence, broken only by the tick of the watch
at the head of the bed, and the deep breath
ing of the sleeper, he fell ON his knees, and
prayed for help and guidance from the Civ
er of all Good. Then he took out his re.
peater and waited till the minute hand
reached the half hour 1t was three O'Clock
that had struck when Lefty closed the door
| Then he took his sisters hand and woke
| her.
What, John, are you here still ? How
| good OF you | thought | was alone
| feel better now. 1t was that dreadful med
icine that hurt me-"
Fanny" said the Doctor, with all wo-
mans tenderness, when you made your
will in the summer, you told me you left all
your money to Jack on his marriage with
| Lefty. Now, | want you to do me kind
ness.
a left it all to dear Jack told him so.
| What kindness can | show you, brother a
poor, dying old woman like myself?"
Alter the will this evening, and leave
me the money during my lifetime 1t will
be check on Jack, if he grows extrava-
giant or wild"
"Ob, he won't, dear boy Yet, as you
will, John. You have always some kind
and good object in what you do"
| will bring lawyer and witness in
half an hour. 1t might ruin even we'll
intentioned lad, and make him idle. Later
| in life it will perhaps come better"
In the room below the Doctor found Let
ty, anxious and apprehensive of some evil,
but she scarcely knew what
Oh uncle, uncle |" she said, in tears,
"auntie is not in danger, is she? Oh, do
say she is not danger !"
4" By Gods help, Lefty, she will be out
of danger in a few hours. 1t is we'll l
came. Lefty, you love me, and you love
my son Jack 2"
81 do do you know how do, dear
ly, uncle"
If you love us both you will then do as
| tell you, and not deviate a single iota, for
much depends on what am now going to-
say. But first let your man George ride
quick into town and get this prescription
made up"
What the Doctors instructions were must
not at present be revealed.
III.
Three hours later the Doctor was in his
surgery, examining drawer of dangerous
drugs that was generally kept locked. He
had Just closed it, and was musing with
one elbow on his desk and his head on his
hand when there came step behind him.
He looked round !; it was John.
John" he said, aud he said no more
But there was an infinite depth of reproach-
full sadness in that one word.
Dear father" said his adopted son. q" |
deeply regret the events of last night. |
was tempted to stay at farmers harvest
home, and I talked nonsense (did not p
about debt and wanting money. 1t was all
wandering. Forget it ALT meant moth
ing 1t was foolish, wrong of me. Pm
sorry for it."
Z" Let it be the last time, jack" said the
| Doctor it is harder to come up hill one
step than to go down twenty. Do not
break my heart by becoming bad man.
By-the-by, have you sent Aunt Fanny the
medicine, and how is she |"
"Oh, pulling through all right She's
as tough as nails"
"What prescription are you using !"
"This," and John Harkness held up a
bottle of simple tonic drops. "The old
lady wants strength Oh, she'll do if she
can only get stronger "
The Doctor sighed, and said The tonic
is right"
At that moment the surgery door open,
ed, and an old farmer presented himself
Why, Farmer Whitehead, how are
you ~
Ailing Doctor, thank ye, with the fin
zy. Uncommon bad, to be sure and so is
my missus."
"Ah, l thought Jack here had been at
tending you for months you are down in
our books. How is this, Jack I"
The young mans color rose. 1t is a
mistake of mine. Pm a regular duffer for
memory it was Robinson at Woodcot
meant Pll put it all right"
"Just see to Farmer Whitehead then
now. Give him diaphoretie and ipecacu
anha to keep the pores open. Pll go and
dress for dinner"
STEPPED in lies" the Doctor muttered
as no shut the surgery door behind him.
al fed tqis serpent, and now he stings me
but still no one shall know his shame, for
may still, by Gods help, save him from
crime, and leave him time and opportuni
ties for repentance. Heaven have mercy
upon him Yes, still-still may save the
boy | once loved so much"
Dinner was over. The Doctor had beer
cheerful as usual, and had made no further
reference to the unhappy events the nigh
before. John Harkness had grown bolster
GUS and social as ever, seeing the Doctor
satisfied with so brief an apology.
Jack" said the Doctor, warming to tht
conversation, ego and get bottle of tha
/ ii %xN. a I ~