The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-03-27

the spell OF his magnetic presence, I'll
fascination of his brilliant intellect and fin
culluru. She sang to him, and looking u
between her ballads, saw his dark eyes iil
of tears.
Poor John Everlale, riding slowly pa,
Darrell Hall, in the winter moonlight, sa'
the new doctors tall figure bend GRACEFUL
in n parting bow to Helen in the doorwa,
anil started with sudden pang. for whic
he was angry will, hilnselfa moment aile
hut the vague sense. Of pain and loss wa
repeated SO Ollen in the weeks and month
that followed, as to grow at last into sci
tied sorrow, blOtting out his hopes an
threatening to darkcn all his life. BY ih
time that the last snow-driits had meltc
away in the spring sunshine, Johns drcaI
of love had vanished with them. No en-
gagement letween DR.. Lashley and lieleI
had been officially announced, hut rumo
had settled the fact Of such engagement
with quiet certainty.
Night after night John Evcrlale Ia
slcepless. facing his trouble. and wuginI
unequal contest with his own heart. Ill
believed in DR.. Lashley with all the fore
Of his generous nature, and his whole sou
ratified Helcns choice. lie felt that ID
could not willingly cast the temporar,
cloud Of n knowledge of his own unhappi
ness across her perfect sunshine. SO b
found courage to meet her at DR.. Langley
side, with his old, frank smile Of greeting
though he was not strong enough to q
any more to Darrell Hall.
The summer heats caint .on with an IN
tensity almost unparalleled. The very al
seemed scorching, and man and bcas
dropped with exhaustion.
Shelbyville proper was built mainly nPoI
two hills, separated from each other by I
low marshy valley, now temporarily occu
pied by collection of some ifty or NOR
wretched cabins, which had received tn
name OF "New Dublin" These huts wcr
ienanted by the families Of gang Of tf'
lowest class Of Irish laborcrs, then ein
ployed in cxcavating n tunnel for new
railway.
An occasional breeze brought some fresl
vitality to the hillside air, but the stagnnn
atmosphere Of the valley was foul with the
fumes of poorly drained soil and over
crowded living.
"Such weather must breed sickness, Doe
tori said Squire Darrell, to DIR. Lashlcy
one day, rs the two sat with Helen in tht
porch.
"ln the valley, undoubtedly" was the
answer. "The poor New Dublinites nrc
ripo food for fever. should greatly ,lrcad
the appearance OF any malignant form o
disease among them. Their ignorant ana
unreasoning tears succumb to the first nj
,nck, and there is no lever by which to lif
them
"Can there be no means Of prevention ?
asked Helen.
"Can bc2 Yes. will be? No. ro,l,
down there only Yesterday, and tried II
vain to induce an effort at something lik'
care and cleanliness. It's of no usc!'
DIR. Lashlcy's fears soon began to bc real
izel'in the breaking out of an obstinate and
contagious fever in the valley. Within
twenty -four hours after the appearance o
the first case, symptoms Of the siil,o dis
ease manifested themselves in several others,
The poor people were thrown into the
widest CONSERVATION. and showed the wild
est ineiiciency in ministering to the wants
of those already stricken down.
DR.. I.ashlcy found the work which scem'
cd necessary among them in the last dc.
gree rcpllslvc to his iastidious sense. tic
was unwilling to acknowledge, even to him
self, how much he shnnk from uniting the
office of nurse TO that Of physician in those
miserable abo,lcs. lie was anxious TO leave
nothing undonc which duty and humanity
could suggest in the case; still, as almost
every day added to his list Of patients, he
found strength and courage failing.
Helen, going into her kitchen one morn.
ing, found Bridget Mahoney, her maidoi'
all work sobbing bitterly over her wash
tub. aud learned, OF inquiry, ,lat the poor
girls father aud mother were sick OF the
fsycr. Helen made Bridget dry her hands
and eyes while she herself packed n huge
baske, with articles USEFUL in sickness
Then. having sent the girl to her home
she put her own white hands in the tub,and
and finished the weeks washing.
At noon, DR.. Lashlcy made a hurried
call, looking sadly worn and harrnssed
Helen, even while she noticed the pallor OF
his face, felt an indcfnable disappointment
that he spoke almost as much of his own
slceplessness and watching rs Of the con.
di,ion Of the poor sufferers, some of whom
seemed vibrating between lie and death.
"Tim Flaherty's child died this morn.
ing," he said, sand John CR0urkr, and
Pat Reagan are quite past help. oh, NV
dear Helen! I am utterly worn ont with
what I have seen aud endured in those
novels :"
She did no, see him again until the next
afternoon, when, standing at the gate, she
saw his chaisc driving rapidly up the street
Tie wore a linen travelling suit and port.
mnntcuu lay beside him on the seat.
"Not going away, DIR. l.ashlcy ?" she
cxclzimed ms he drew rein and sprang out
with extended hand.
ITO the beach for n few days" he an.
swerrd, without noticing the look Of sur
prise in which shs had spoken. 81 am
very sorry to be Obliged to leave now but
have not been well for several months and
the strain of the las, two weeks has been
terrible for me. feel il to be an impcra
tive duty which ! owe to myself and my
work in life, to give myself the short rest
which alone can save me from utter pros
traiion."
$50 you will leave those poor people Ia
dic?"
",ly dear Helen :" DR.. Lashlcy looked
both surprised and grieved. "llarris, my
student, will give them the closest attention;
besides he hesitated n moment "thcrr
is DR.. Arnam. you know, at the Corners
"The one an inexperienced hoy, the
other heau'ess quack :"
"llelcn. You are very hasty in your
Judgment of DR. Arnau,, and as for Harris
why Helen, he has shown most wonder.
iill ability in those very cases, AMI ! have
spared no pains to make him understand the
treatment wish him TO follow. kemenibor;
il is only careful balancing OF tl,s apparently
conflicting claims of duty which has de'
ciled me t0 GO"
lie spoke earnestly, and with look and
tone which showed how entirely he felt
himself misiudged,
There comes the train, DIR. Lashley-
you will be laic!" said Helen, letting hci
hand rest on his moment, and then draw.
inc IN away.