The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-19

was as resistant ss his prostration permitted
him to be.
"My dear friend" said Martha, firmly but
softly, i've are forbidden TO do self-murder;
and by refusing to use the means within our
reach to preserve the life which has been lent
to us, we do commit self murder"
"But am not likely to die I" interrupted
Mr.. Thomas.
81 believe otherwise, and l dare not be
silent. You are In great dangeri"
Mr.. Thomas by sudden effort raised him
self ON his arms, and stared fxedly at Martha.
81 have brought gentleman with me who
will confirm or contradict my fears" said
Martha. "Dear friend, you must see him."
The fear of death seemed to be a new terror
to David Thomas, and he lay silent, his chest
heaving quickly. The examination Of the
doctor was conclusive. Inflammation of some
vital part-I shan't talk shop-had set in, and
the Gaze was hopeless. 1t would be out Of
place to repeat now the words in which this was
conveyed to David Thomas by Martha Ramsay,
orby which he was urged to loose his hold upon
the world. He clung closely TO his idol
Martha watched and prayed beside him
throughout the night. When the doctor
came again (Which he did very early in the
mOrniDg), he pronounced his worst fears con-
frmed, and that death was rapidly approach
ing. David Thomas tried to beat back the
shadow which advanced slowly-slowly, but
that it was Death.
81 have much to say-much to do--and the
time you tell me is so short. Send some one
to Mrs. Gregory, in Bedford square. Tell her
TO come instantly-say | am dying"
My mother was greatly terrified when this
message reached her, but my father urged
her to go at once, and volunteered to accom-
paDy her.
In great state Of alarm my mother stood
by the bedside of her old acquaintance.
"hlrs. Gregory" he said with difficulty,
'you wonder, dare say, to see me in this
miserable plight"
My mother made grimace, by which she
meant to say she did.
"DO you guess what brought me to It ? No,
you can't, know. 1t was love ~
ooh Mr.. Thomasi'
eyes, love of money. began to love
money when | was boy; to save money
lived spariDgly and lonely; l grew fonder and
fonder of putting by, until became frightened
at myself. l tried every now and then to
break from my master. / thought il could
have married Mrs. MAXWELL thought of her
money tool might have been brought to
| spend, and not have been always afraid to lose
or to waste. But it was not to be. When the
- Bank broke lost two thousand pounds.
II nearly killed me. got together all | pos.
sessed-I could trust no one with it. Good
securities-Ah ! what pain is this that almost
! blinds me =! For old times sake, you and this
woman, Martha Ramsay, take what is beneath
my pillOw-what l have lived and died for.
| Yes, for | have starved-Again that pain
Darkness-darkness I"
"a. After one deep sigh, his head fell upon his
bosom, and David Thomas was dead.
And now, said the doctor, comes the
strange part of this rambling story; and had
it not been within my own knowledge,
would not have mentioned it.
The reference which David Thomas had
made to his pillow was not forgotten, and on
search being made, no less a sum than twelve
thousand pounds was found wrapped up in
all sorts of coverings. The Doctors opinion
was that the owners death was accelerated by
starvation. Neither my mother nor Martha
Ramsay derived any advantages from what
| had evidently been intended as a deed of gift
from David Thomas, as he died intestate, and
his next of kin came into possession of all the
| money.