Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-09-30


certifying of jaded man against a pending
operation. His look, his tone, word, Il preston,
step, his general presence was . Iowsr hitherto
unknown, and il was almost indeed NAV saw
II was, worshipped. At every evidence of this
sDd in the course of the da, many would hap
pen, some expression of pleasure would esca ne
him. He wonld grasp my hand and listen 20
hear them call his name, end then hurry away.
whisper OF qualification, sigh of ease, a muir
mUr Of content and relief, would FIJI his eve with
tears OF pleasure, and ] once found him upon
his knees thanking God in broken voice.
In another part of the hospital was a former
directress of a founding school which had been
DESTROYED by fire, and in consequence of which
she bad been given high and responsible posi-
ton i'm our building. She was Young ardent i'm
her work, and had the face OF an angel Emilio
met her twice and thrice day. The result
could be but one, and that the happiest.
One day the good doctor met the IN together as
they were busy Ci-0n me schl me for improv-
Tg the usefulness of the hospital. He gave
the m each a hand 81 have something to tell
you which will please you both. Three hours
ago sarah Van Worst, who was dying of cancer,
hi'td little picture to her purple lips and
whispered her last word with a face full of
gratitude. The word was Edith have just
come nom The last scene in the life of Archibald
Prescott, the lrmberman, who was crushed by a
falling pine. He called on some one to lift off
the ttItlhle weight. That person did so. Pres
cot sfletChed cut his arms and cried-'Thank
you, milo NOur two names mean peace and
ccmicrt. never knew the power of sympathy
Fmilo's labor increased. and still I could not
undeI stand. felt / was in the dark. Heaven
bid that 1 doubted his sincerity; 1 had no
right to dream that, simply because could not
undCrsta the impulse that animated him; vet
because | was ignorant of it, L observed him
closely. Nothing TRANSFERRED to satisfy me; all
aTItst, pure and self-sacrificing; the splendor
OF his face, the dignity of his bearing, the win
ming infection Of his voice, grew as each new
sufferer yielded his beleagured soul and body to
his consolng influence.
On a certain day, however, the disclosure
came. 1t was stormy, and during the afternoon
the tempest reached its height. / stood by
south window, startled at the violence of the
wind, and watching the fearful way in which it
swayed the elms outside. Emilio came up from
behind and touched me on the shoulder. He
down to my arm, and held it tight Soon he put
his other arm about my neck, and began to
tTemble.
"Freederic, see you watch me; do you tink
me hypocreet?"
shook my head. In a moment he went on,
making pauses now and then.
81 am frightened wild de day. I 90 back two
years, when see times 80 like he'll. A meesa-
rable Gay. had a good friend, and love him
more than you, more than fader or moder We
have quarrel about women. We have fight I
keel him."
cannot explain why. but remember that
was not shocked, scarcely surprised. bent my
head 10 listen.
alt was in Chilli. ran. De memoree hunted
me. o so awful, awful! Two years go. 1t
never leave me. Jose Luco, my best friend, 20
wild me here and there in de speerit. say to
harpee. Maybe i make peace wild my soul
Heelp me, Frederic, heelp me-"
This, then, was his spur. His work was that
OF rec0mpeDse.
When the storm ceased he became himself
again. loved him more than ever. watched
his attachment TO Edith with solicitude, as
feared that the disclosure Of his secret would
separate them.
Emilio now had nothing else to conquer He
became rad ant with hope, and would often en-
brace me with rapture as he counted the hearts
He had beautiful flower tulip; indeed,
think 1t was the same one with which he wrought
the change in the preacher, and to this flower he
would seem to cOnfde his Utmost wishes. He
told me that it reminded him of his home, and
that he faGcied that it was a witness Of what he
did. He placed it upon wndOw-sill beside one
OF the vacant cots at the upper end of the ROOM
and there it bloomed in all its lovely grace.
Seven days after the storm, Emilio came to me
greatly agitated.
"Freederic, grasp my hand!"
did so. 1t was cold.
"Freederic. my friend, feel that am being
pursue; that they hunt me. 1 dreemed 50 in de
He was very nervous, and was covered with
Perspiration. used all my persuasion to calm
him, and partly succeeded, though during the
day frequently caught his eye resting upon me
with AN expression of expectancy. fancied he
was overwOrked
The next day he brought to show me rich
velvet smoking-cap covered with gold bullion.
IL was present from one of his former patients
With it was a letter containing some of the most
refined expressions of goodwill and thankful
ness which it is possible for man to write. Emilio
read IL time and again, and dwelt upon the
prominent passages with an inexpressible de-
light. It banished his fears, and he became
again hlled with his high intents, and with even
more than his old ecstasy.
At night We had news of a newcomer. His
case had been severe, and he had undergone one
of the most notable surgical Operations known
in the country. His delrium had been almost
constant This was the fifth day Of his admis-
sion. he was to occupy the cot in our ward
which was on the right OF the room; he would
lie in full view of Emilo's tulip.
AT SIX IN the evening he was brought. Emilio
and assisted, and then stood arm-in- arm at the
perfectly still with closed eyes.
He was frightfully ugly.
His head was bandaged and covered with adj
hesive straps His hair and whskers were gone;
he had large flaps Of ears, massive jaw, wide
mouth with thin lips, a retreating forehead and
narrow, trembling nostrils which gave him the
look of wolf: His hands were thin and long;
cOiled, but Emilio smiled.
81 will make him my friend, Frederic Eef
can teach heem something, il can help hees
awful peen to go away, den such a victoree shall
prevent me from fright at dat one who hunts
me. shall scorn heem."
His face was filed with enthusiasm. I in
voluntarily turned around. The doctor was
just within the doorway, staring hard at Emilio.
Presently he turned around with bowed head
and disappeared, unseen by my friend. The
next day the doctor was not to be seen, and the
next in rank took his place. He was in the
hospital, but he kept his room. Even Emilio and
Edith could not visit him.
The man in the eleventh cot remained in
state Of stupor until noon. Then he slowly
awoke to Consciousness. He met the calm
glance of Emilio, and he returned it. Emilio
reached him bit of camphor from an ebony
box The man smiled and gave him his hand in
weak fashion. Emilio held il for an hour
Still the doctor was not visible, and all began
TO wonder, for such a thing had not occurred for
years; neither storms nor illness had ever pre-
vented his presence, and yet all agreed that he
was well.
At four O'Clock in the afternoon while 4 was
yet light, Emilio went to his tulip at the window
sill. Ii was in the full of its loneliness and he
bent over it with the deep affection which /
alone could interpret. 1t was nearly his idol
lie almost thought it comprehended what il
witnessed from day to day. Edith had admired
il with him, and il was full of the purest asso-
Citations.
suddenly the earthen pot slipped in its saucer.
Enilo endeayOIed To save it. He caught at the
tulip and snapped it from the stem. He cried
out vehementiy:
90 Por todos los Santos Look, Frederic see
my prettee, prettee flower crushed! broken!"
His face assumed an expression OF despair I
heard movement behind me and 1 turned
about The ugly man had risen to a sitting
posture, supported by his hands. His face was
OF green color, his mouth open, his nostrils
dialated, and bis eyes glared upon Emilio.
Emilio, still holding his tulip, beheld him. He
stood transfXed.
The man drew q hraatb closoa IL. -..