Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-12-03
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.

was medical student in Paris at the time th'
strange and startling adventure happened which
am about to record. Tired with long lectures ant
hard study, I was out one evening for walk il
the fresh air. 1t was pleasant night in mid
winter, and the cold bracing air. as it touched m!
feverish brow caused o grateful sensation.
Passing through rather lonely street, near th'
river, I was surprised at meeting young ant
pretty girl, lat least so she appeared in the din
light of rather distant street lamp who cariet
in her hand some three or four bouquets, whicl
she offered for sale.
ssWill monsieur have bouquet?' she asked, il
a sweet, musical tone, holding out to me vel
arranged collection of beautiful flowers.
"They are pretty" said I, taking them in m!
hand, and then, somehow, I could not help ad
ding, as fixed my eyes upon hers, land so,
think, is their fair owner"
Monsieur will buy and assist me2' she said.
"Do you really need assistance, mademoiselle 7
"Why else should be here at this hour Of th'
night, monsieur"
''And why here at ALP" quickly returned l.
This street is little fequented and it is about tht
last in the world I should have selected for dispo
sing of luxury most suited to wealth and fashion.
She sighed and reached out her hand for tht
bouquet, which still retained. ...s.'
"What is your price p
Five francs.
"a large sum. -.
''Monsieur will remember it is winter, and flow
ers are not plenty -s.
ITO aid you, will purchase, returned I, hand
ing her the requisite coin; "for, though love
flowers, would otherwise hardly indulge in tht
luxury tonight at such an expense"
She thanked me, and seemed about to pass on
but hesitated, looked up to me, and said:
'sCould Monsieur direct me to the house OF 8
good physician, who will turn out tonight and see
q patient at small recompense"
"Any friend Of yours ill2''
sMy mother!'' with deep sigh and downcas1
look.
"Where does she reside?"
'tOnly short distance from here
"What is the matter with her?'
''She has high fever for one thing"
"When was she takenT'
''She came down last night and has not left hel
bed since"
"Why did you not send for doctor at onee?
eve hoped she would get better soon and it Is
so expensive for poor people to employ physl
cian."
am myself medical student, with consider
able experience among the sick of the hospitals
and if you are disposed to trust the case to me,
am at your service without CHARGE" rejoined. al
ready feeling deeply interested in the fair girl.
"Oh, how I shall thank monsieur!' she ex
claimed, with clasped hands and an upward, CRATE
full look. "Pray, follow me, Monsieurle Docteur. u
She turned at once and moved off at arapid pace
down the street, toward the river Seine, in the d
rection I was walking when We met.
In less than FIVE minutes we had entered
wretched quarter, among narrow streets, old, tot
tering buildings, and squalid looking inhabitants
some of whom seemed to glare at US as we passed
along
'sIs it much further?'' inquired I, beginning tt
feel uneasy.
"Only step monsieur; it is just here"
Almost Immediately she turned into covered
passage, which led in back among habitations thai
I should never have voluntarily visited in the
broad light of day. A distant lamp served to make
the gloom visible, till she suddenly stopped anc
opened door into 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 refuse to 60 an,
further though mechanically followed her.
We now went through long, narrow passage
in total darkness, and after two or three shor
turns began to descend fight Of creaking rotter
lstaira -'S-