Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-05-16
SELECTED STORY.
TIE LADY OF 1HE KEY.

"This is the place. doctor; and for
Gods sake, make haste, or we shall b;
too late"
With these words, the rough laboring
man who summoned me, threw open the
door of rickety tenement house in a
back lane, and together VIC began &c
mount the crazy stairs.
1t was horrible spot-flthy, dark
and wretched-,he abode Of poverty and
woe; ard, as we went up to the topmos'
story Of the reeking building, l fairly
shuddered to think that there existed hu
man beings who hudaled together there
and called that den home.
The thousand and one clocks of the
city were telling out the hour of midnight
as we entered the sick room, and | stood
in the presence Of woman who | knew
at once was diving of starvation.
Ny profession had III measure. har-
dened me to such scenes, for | had been
but two years physician, and the prac-
tlce Of Ia young medical Hedging is, it is
a known fact. generally among the lower
classes, where want and the evils VI ich
always follow in their track abound.
The chamber, if the small cramped
apartment was worthy OF so dignifed a
name, was without carpet. and contain
I'd by way of furniture only two hall
broken chairs, the dngy bed on which
the patient lay and small, unblacked
cheap cooking stove.
Tie walls were dirty aud smoky, and
the sombre glare Of a greasy old oil Lamp
with chimney nearly 'bscurel by the
accumulated SCOT Of many weeks, cas'
but a feeble light around.
| looked at the woman stretched Out
and nearly cold before me, ahl. as her
closed eyes quivered with faint but in.
eAectua attempt to open when her duh
ears caught the sound OF onr coming,
shook my head.
The lace of my conductor fell.
els she past hope Z" the man asked
anxiously, in whisper.
nodded sfdrmatively.
Il bought some brandy as l came te
you," said the kind hearted fellow, still
IN whisper !; wouldn't shat do some
good I"
l reached out my hand for it and tas'
ted ii; it was vile stuff--a hauseous
compound of crude whiskey and adulter-
s.ed coguac oil; but it was the best sold
in that neighborhood, i. had strength
go put the flask to the patients lips
and forced few drops down her throat
She revived almost instantaneously ant
opened her eyes wildly.
W here is it ? oh where is it?' sh'
easped family, and her pale bony Gnger'
Logan a tremulous search about be
ueck.
I. thought it was delirium, and waitee
silently. AT length she fastened on
god chain that was about her neck, on
end OF which was hidden away in be
bosom.
A shade of relief passed over her worl
ccuntenance ut this and drawing tn
portion that had been coneea led into tb
light, she clasped convulsively in bot
hands a small iron key that was atsache'
to it, and pressed it to her lips.
..Thank heaven r she murmured, q
she did this; and glanced sharply sbou
the place. Now, when he comes agal
be will not harm me-"
Immediately she grew stronger, sn
shortly she said, quite nationally. bu
teebly-
"You are doctor 2"
EYES," said.
"Who is that other person with you
The man himself answered this quel
| ton
II am the owner Of this house an
your friend"
..My friend I" repeated the WON an
a low voice. my friend, sir /! l had
husband, but he was no friend, and b
is dead-and IL am dying. too"
tried to stop her from talking, but
was of no avail. and she con tinued.
| doctor you are making efforts to say
me ! know you ave. You know II
strength Of woman's will Z Yes. We
have made up my mind to die, and
will not be baked. You ask me my rel
eo6. We'll. you shall have thsm-aftt