Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-08-31


Professor and it would end in some
ilaro-up-see T 'twouldn'u'
One day, some weeks after Romaine's
promotion from bed to hall, the guard
came TO him, as he louuged at the doctors
study door, with two cards. "Visitors," "
asked the doctor, looking up, quickly. A
flush famed into Romainc's pale face as
he read the names, then turning to Nc
mours, who was watching him, he said,
in a Joyous, glad tone, "Madame ma Mere
I and ViIginic Come, my friend, with me,
and lot me show them my savior :" For a
moment Nemours half hesitated, then fol-
lowing Romaiue, went down the wide
steps to the reception room, below.
The visitors sat by the open window
overlooking the SEA. Madame Romoine, n
large, elegant loe king woman, whose grey
hairs made her a "b'onde arc les ysur
roire," and Nirginio young, dirk-cycd
French girl, whose pale face was lii up
with passionate excitement.
Tho mother rushed to meet her hoy and
for momeut there wns silence, then,
turning to Nemours, Romaine put his
moth,r's hand into the doctors, saying ;
"Mother, next to God, thank himl" and
leaving her to pour out her heart in a tor
tent Of gratitude, for the tender care Law
ished upon hor only child by a stranger,
Romaine walked hastily TO the window
where the young girl still sat.
"Victor :" she cried but hcr eyes told,
palmer than her tongue could speak, her
joy at seeing him again. lie stopped and
whispered in low tones his welcome to her,
aud left the imprint Of kiss upon her
trembling lips; 1hen, with her hand upon
his arm, he led her across the room, and,
half smiling, introduced her, saying;
"Dr. Nemours, this is ma belle cOisine
Virginic, CT whom you have heard-in my
dreams"
The doctor howed his pleasure, looking
earnestly at the fair young face with evi-
dent admiration.
"And when will the good doctor give
me back my boy, bodilyf asked the
mother, half in tears, still, and holding
her sons hand caressingly in her own as
she spoke.
"Does he wish to 20 alreadyl" asked
the doctor, in return, looking At Victor.
Romaine laughed nut, al swering, "You
see the magnetic forces winch draw me to
my home, Nemouis; surely, they are
counter currents TO the attractions a hos
piial holds forth
Nemours' face clouded as he replied,
slowly, "But for those opposite forces,
however, you never could have been re-
turned to your home, your loved ones or
your country, however strong they might
strive to attract you."
"My dear Nemours, I except you, of
course when | speak thus, you are out.
side of the disagreeabe hospital associa-
tions of pain and sickness, believe me -
answered Victor, quickly, feeling, perhaps,
that his speech had sounded ungrateful to
hls friend, 'and you know" he continued,
"when your holiday comes, my home is
your home dlways remember and here
Madame Romaine interrupted, speaking
warmly "Dr. Nemours, believe me, you
shall ever be AS welcome in my home as
my own son can say more
With a rare smile Illuminating hi coun-
t'ndncc, the doctor thanked her, adding, a
li't'c sadly, 81 have no holidays my life,
"a pI',irian'- If - uu'' coust mt ruaiin,
o' duty, nevcitne'ce, ! thank you,
madHne, Ter your hearty iuvtitior-ii i,
much to me, who has no friends, no homrl
Then shaking hands, and promising Vic
tors release as soon as compatible with
sanitary regulations, q bAde them good
morning
"What O queer, strange man, Victor
said virgiuic, "sud iom he looked a
lne -
"7Hdt is not surprising, surely" AN
swered Victor, with a warm glance of ad
miration at the beautiful face.
"But don't like him." she continued
"Hs sarcd my life, Virgnie"
"For that, then, ] love him." she an
swercd
| After tue visitors had goue, Victor re
turned to the doctors study but found III,
door closed, and no reply came in uuswe
to his knock. Some hours after he discov
cred the doctor in another ward, by th,
bedside of one who should never need hi
assistance again. His face was almost "a
pqllid as the one he bent over, and VictO
stood silently looking down at the doctor
tender, last touches, then, as they bot
walked away, Victor said, suddenly, a
though continuing train ofthought, ,"N,
monrs, you are good man, why have 20
no home, no wife :"
The doctors pale face grew sallow es h
turned hastily away without a word {
answer.
"Don't leave me so," Victor called aft,
him, 81 beg your pardon" " he went on, q
Nemours waited for him, "but the que
tion seemed such natural one for me
, ask you after your confessing you had 4
friends, no home Forgive the seemir
. curiosity"
y lie drew Victor's hand within his ar
= for answer, then asked in low tone
70 "Is she-your cousin, mean-does 81
live with you at your homer
u "Yes, replied Victor, lever since 81
8 was a child she is a daughter to my mot
er without Virginie our home would
II desolate. Is she not beautiful ~ he as