Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-12-16
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.


happened which | am about TO record
Tired with long lectures and hard study
WIS out one evening for a walk in the
fresh air. 1t WAS a pleasant day in mid,
winter, and the cold, bracing sir, as it
touched my ievcrish brow, caused a
grateful sensation.
Passing through rather lonely street
near the river, was surprised at meeting
- young and pretty girl (as least so she
appeared in the dim light of rather dis
tant street lamp,) who carried in her
hands some three or four bouquets, which
she offered for sale.
Will Monsieur have bouquet 2"
she asked in a sweet. musical tone, hold
ing out TO me !. we!l-arranged collection
Of flowers.
"They are very pretty" said |, taking
them in highland and then, somehow, |
could not help adding, as fixed my eyes
upon hers, and SO, | think, is their fair
owner"
sMonsicur will buy and assist me?'
she said.
"Do you really need assistance 90
"Why else should be here this hour
of the night, Monsieur
'And why here at all p quickly re
turned |. This street is very little fire.
qucnted, aud it is about the last place in
the world should kave selected for dis.
pos;ng-of . luxury most suited to wealth
aud fashion.a a
She sighed andSreached out her hand
for the bouquet which Fstill retained.
:" What IS your price?
Five francs
"a large sum-" x
Monsieur will probably remember
that it is winter, and flowers are not
plenty"
e" To aid you will purchase" returned
!, l,handiug her the requisite silver coin
for though love flowers would hard
ly indulge in the luxury tonight at such
an expense"
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 to see patient at a small
recompense?"
"Any friend of yours ill?"
My mother" with deep sigh and
downcast look.
"Where does she reside?"
"0nly short distance from here"
What is the matter with her?'
She has high fever for one thing"
When was she taken"
"She came down last night, and has
not left her bed SINCE"
at once? ?".
We hoped she would get-better soon,
and it is SO expensive for poor people to
employ physician"
am myself a medical student with
considerable experience. among the sick
of the hospitals, and if you are disposed
to trust the case to me, | am at your
service without CHARGE" I rejoined, al
ready feeling deeply interested in the
fair girl.
sOhhow shall thank you Monsieur?"
she exclaimed with clasped hands and an
upward, grateful look. "Pray follow me.
Monsieur le Docteur."
She turned and led of at o rapid pace
down the street, towards the river. Seine,
in the direction was walking whenewe'
met.
In less than five minutesawe had en-
tered a wretched quarter, among narrow
streets, old, tottering buildings, and
saualid eleoGing inhabitants, some of
whom seemed to glare at us as we passed
along
as it much farther? 2" inquired !, be-
ginning to feel uneasy.
"Only a step, Monsieur; it is just
here"
Almost Immediately she turned into
covered passage which led back among
inhabitants that should never have vol
unfairly visited in the broad light of day.
A distant lamp served to make the ground
visible, till she stopped and opened
door in total darkness.
"Your hand, Monsieur le Docteur,"
she said, at the same time taking it and
leading me forward.
was tempted to draw back and re-
fuse to go any further, though rnechani-
callv followed her.
We now went through a long passage
in total darkness, and after two or three
short turns began to ascend flight of
creaking, rotten stairs.
"Is it possible that you can live in a
place like this2" said |, secretly wishing
myself out of it.
''In Paris beggars cannot be choosers,"
replied the girl.
"But even in Paris it is not necessary
for the living to take up their abode in
sepulchres | rejoined with some as
perity, being vexed at myself for suffer
ing my good nature to lead me into
den from which might never come out
alive.
To this my fair guide deigned no re-
ply. On reaching the foot of the stairs
she pushed open door into small dim
Weighted room, and followed her into
it with some. secret misgivings. There
was bed in one corner, and on it ap.
peared to be human form lying very
still.
81 have brought doctor, MOTHER"
said the girl, as she closed tie door be-
hind me. As there was no reply to this
she turned to me, saying:
Will Monsieur lie Docteur please be
seated. q minute? | think my mother is
asleep?"
81 beg that Mademoisele will bear in
mind that can only snare 81 faw mn