Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1868-07-16

MOusieuA VIII Duy "uo oSoAo1 Ao oAo
said
''Do you really need assistance made
moiselle -
"Why else should I be here at this
hour Of the night, monsieur p
"And why here at all 2" quickly re-
turned I. ''This street is little frequent
ed, and it is about the last in the world
should have selected for disposing of a
luxury most suited to wealth and fashion, I"
She sighed and reached out her hand
for the bouquet, which I still retained.
"What is your price p
"Five francs"
"a large sum-"
Monsieur will remember it is winter,
and flowers are not plenty"
ITO aid you, I will purchase" return
ed I, handing her the requisite coin; "for,
though love flowers, l would otherwise
hardly 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 to-
night and see patient at small recon-
pense p
''Any friend of yours i'll ?"
my mother!" with a deep Sigh and
downcast look.
"Where does she reside p
"Only a 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"
why did you not send for doctor at
once"
''We hoped she would get better soon,
and it is SO expensive Coz poor people to
employ a physician"
l am myself medical student, with
considerable experience among the sick Of
the hospitals; aud if you are disposed to
trust the case to me. I am at your service
without charge, rejoined, 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 Doctor. :"
She turned at once, and moved off at o
rapid pace down the street, toward the
river Seine, in the direction | was walk
ing when we met.
In less than five minutes we had enter
ed wretched quarter, among narrow
streets, old, tottering buildings, and
squalid looking inhabitants. some of whom
seemed to glare at us as we passed along
lis it much further p inquired I, be-
ginning to feel uneasy.
"Only a step, monsieur; it is just here. .
Almost Immediately she ttrned into a
covered passage. which led in back among
habitations that should never have vol
UNFAIRLY visited in the broad light of day,
A distant lamp served to make the gloom
visible till she suddenly stopped and open
ed door into total darkness.
"Your hand. Monsieur lie Docteur," !"
she said, at the same time taking it and
leading me forward.
l was tempted to draw back and refuse
to 60 any further, though mechanically
followed her.
We now went through long narrow
passage, in total darkness, and after two
or three short turns, began to descend a
fight of ereaking, rotten stairs.
''Is it possible you live in place like
this?" said I, secretly wishing myself
safely out of it.
'Tn Paris beggers cannot be choosers,"
replied the girl.
''But even in Paris it is not necessary
for the living to take up their abode in
!" I rejoined With some asperi-
ty, being vexed at myself for suffering my
good nature to lead me into den from
which I 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
ly lighted room. and I followed her into
it With some secret misgiviugs. There
was bed in one corner, and on it ap-
peared to be human form lying very
still
i have brought doctor mother" said
the girl, ae she closel the door behind me.