The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-15
A THRLLINa ADVENTURE.

well,
I 1take it up, my friendl
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.
T was q medical student in Paris at
the time the strange and startling
adventure happened which L am
about to record. Tired with long
lectures and hard study, I was out
one evening for a walk in the fresh
air. It was pleasant night in mid
winter, and the cold, bracing air, as
it touched my feverish brow, caused
q grateful sensation.
Passing through a rather lonely
street, near the river, I was surprised
at meeting a young and pretty girl,
lat least so she appeared in the dim
light of a rather distant street lamp,)
who carried in her hand some three
or four bouquets, which she offered
for sale.
"Will monsieur have bouquet, 4"
she asked, in q sweet musical tone,
holding out to me a well arranged
collection of beautiful flowers.
'They are pretty" said !, taking
them in my hand, and then, some
how, I conld not help adding, as I
fixed my eyes upon hers, sand so, I
think, is their fair owner"
Monsieur will buy and assist me?"
= said she."
"Do you really need assistance,
-.:mademoiselle?"
"Why else should be here at this
hour of the night, monsieur"
'And why here at ALP" quickly
returned I. ''This street is little
frequented, and it is about the last
place in the world I should have
selected for disposing of luxury
most suited to wealth and fashion.
She sighed. and reached out her
hand for the bouquet, which I still
retained.
What is your price9"
Give francs"
ga large sum-"
Monsieur will remember it is
winter, and flowers are not pletny."
''To aid you, I will purchase" re-
turned I, handing her the requisite
coin; ''for though I love flowers, I
would otherwise hardly indulge in
the luxury tonight at such an ex-
pense."
She thanked me, and seemed about
to pass on, but hesitated, looked up
to me, and said:
"Could monsieur direct me to the
=. house of good physician, who will
turn out tonight and see patient at
"a small recompense?"
''Any friend of yours ill?"
"My mother" with q deep sigh and
edown-cast look.
Where does she reside?"
"Only short distance from here"
''What is the matter with her?"
"She has a high fever, for one
thing"
when was she taken?"
"She came down last night, and
has not left her bed since"
"Why did you not send for doc
tor at once?"
eve hoped she would get better
soon, and it is SO expensive for poor
people to employ physician"
81 am myself O medical student,
with considerable experience among
the sick of the hospitals, and if you
are disposed to trust me with the
case, am at your service without
charge" I rejoiced, already feeling
deeply interested in the fair girl.
"Oh, how I shall thank monsieur!'
she exclaimed, with clasped hands,
and an upward, grateful look. "Pray,
, follow me, Monsieur le Docteur."
She turned at once, and moved off
at a rapid pace down the street to-
ward the river Seine, in the direction
I was walking when We met.
In less than five minutes, we had
entered wretched quarter, among
the narrow streets, old tottering
buildings, and squalid looking in,
habitants, some of whom seemed tc
glare ut us as we passed along.
SIS it much further?" inquired T.
beginning to feel uneasy.
"Only step, monsieur; it is Just
here"
Almost Immediately she turned
into q covered passage, which led in
back among habitations that should
never have voluntarily visited in the