The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-07-29
1flistrllanruus.
THE DEBUTANT,
BY j. MADISON JEITLEs.

The low, soft breeze Of an Italian noon
ca me stealing through creeping vines
and odorouS flowers that grew about
the window of room in which lay q
sick man, tossing in the extreme rest
lessness OF a mind i'll at case, or orperhaps
fretful under the fever that lent to his
eye an unusual brilliancy.
The room was luXuriously furnished,
the truly artistic arrangement of which
betrayed an eye for the beautiful, as
well as useful, while the rich profusion
of flowers, eXquisitely grouped, told, if
even the presence had not been there,
that woman's hand had lent to all
around the charming effect.
Bending over the invalid's couch,
stood lady Of rare beauty and grace,
whose absorbed manner and assiduous
attentions proved how deep was the in
terest she felt in that PROSTATE form,
while the light from her large, dark
eyes, heamed down upon him with all
the wealth of true woman's love.
Moving around the room, with nois-
less tread and respectful manner, was
the valet, who likewise manifested the
utmost interest, as well as sympathy
in the scene before him. 1t was enough
for the faithful fellow to know that his
master suffered, ard seemingly it lay
beyond his limited power to afford even
the slightest aid.
Since early morning had the invalid
thus wrestled with the burning fever
that consumed his veins, and yet the
disease seemed not to decrease, but on
the contrary, as night drew near, the
flush upon his broad, high brow, and
the brilliancy Of his large blue eye,
grew deeper and more brilliant still.
From below the murmur of the great
city cameup mingling with the sounds
of busy city life within the great cara
vanserie in which the sick man lay,
lending an additional grievance to the
already highly strung nerves of the pa
tient.
"Listen how the world goes on and
on, while l am chained to this bed, like
some criminal to the hulks !" sullenly
exclaimed the invalid, as with an inn
patient gesture he turned to the wall as
though to shut out sounds.
"Have patience, De Beriot," sooth-
ingly replied the lady, as she gently
stroked the mass of clustering hair
about the sick mans forehead.
"Patience patience am more than
weary of the word, How can l be pa
tient, when so much is depending on
this night ?" and De Beriot's voice haG
the sharp, petulant ring, that can alone
be heard from sick bed.
"Well darling, l have sent for Dir
-; he will soon be here, and per
haps, he may suggest some solution Of
this seemingly difficult problem" said
the lady.
"There is but one solution" exclaimed
De Beriot. "He must put strength in
to his arm, and abate the rush of this
burning fever through my brain, or else
he and all his medicaments cannot min
lister successfully"
"Ah! l hear his footsteps now," ca
gerly exclaimed the lady. "Now you
will be patient and abide by the decis
ion made, Will you not ?" and again
the soft, white hand caressed the burn
| ing forehead.
Inan instant the sick man glanced up
ward into the beautiful eyes that looked
down upon him. And then, as the
physicion entered the room, he gave
her gentle pressure of the hand and q
look replete with love and obedience.
With professional rapidity and uner,