Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1872-08-28
sick at heart

shake Il off during the day and when
he turned his horses head ho.::c ward,
it was with Il feeling of disgust aud
loneliness never before experienced.
pretty much all alike, I'm
afraid.' he continued, softly, to him.
self.
Just then a little figure in the mid
die o: the street attracted his at
tention. \ child, to all appearance
not a day over five wears, with up
lifted arms, stood. needless of danger:
looking straigl. into his flee. Quick
er than | can tell, DR.. John had
jumped from his carriage. seized the
little crcaterc aud placed her on the
scat beside him.
"fou were in great danger, my
DEAR" said the doctor, looking down
into the singularly sweet and ii!tclli-
gent face. What made you stand
in the middle of the crowded
street ?''
"Arc you doctor?" was the only
reply vouchsafcd.
"By profession, yes, little miss,
and by name, John llcssman. Have
you any commands for his hi ghnes> ~
If you are a doctor want you TO
20 home with inc, and if you are not,
please tell me where | can find one.
My sister Kate is sick-awful sick
and she talks and sings all the time :;
and haven't got any moncy-neithcr
don't come
Il am doctor. and will go home
with yon, little darling" said our
friend, involuntarialy drawing the
scbhing child towards him. 8 Don't
cry; | can help her if anybody can.
Before they arrived 1T the rc,ulcnc"
of the sick girl, DIR. john had discov-
cred, by skillful questioning. that the
child'S name WAS Florence Britton-
the sisters Kate BrittOm: that Kate
wrote stories, and made reports, and
sometimes had to be ont late at night
taking notes and Preparing articles
for the press: that she had rot been
well during the winter, and for the
last ;htcc weeks had bchfi unable to
attend to her literary duties, and WIS
now suffering fl ON brain fever. The
room which the doctor entered was
plainly and neatly furnished. and
bore Enthusiastically marks of refine.
mcnt and taste:
"katc," said the little girl; climb.
ing into the bed where lier sister lay
moaning with pain "sistcr Natc, |
have brought a doctor to see you.
/ found him in the street, and lie says
he can make YOU we'll. Look at him
Katc-hc is very kind
"Coddlc right down beside me
Flory. darling: There: that's goo,
little girl. Go to sleep, don't mine
sister Kate, she's only got head
ache. Say your prayers, Florv, sa,
your prayers" murmurcd the girl
even i'll deirum thoughtful of hcl
precious charge.
Here was Il case to rouse DR.. John:
cncrgfcs-a case which appealed /,
his sympathy and rcspcct-l case. Sc
far rs he was able TO judge, Of utter
loneliness and dcstitution. So. lik,
the good man he Was. he set himscl
to work in good earnest. y goo,
nurse was procured: necessary ar
ticles were brought into the house
and over all he watched as tcndcrl,
as if the sufferer had been his owl
sister. The fourth day the invah,
awokc to consciousness, and loUkct
DIR. John straight i'll the face.
"Wherc am II" she asked, at
tempting to rise.
AT homc,' he replied. '.Plcas
l'c very quiet"
''Whcrc is Flory:'
"Aslccp by your side. Don't asI
any more questions
"Who are you?' she cortinuct!
apparently oblivious to the command
John llessman, ut your service
and at present YOUR sclf-constitutc,
pIysician, who will be ubcycd
Now. drink this beef tcu-trk
Flory'S little hand in yours, all,t =,
to sleep"
With 4 sigh ofrclicf, Il smile, mo
mentary attcmp, to keep her eye
open little longer, and the invali,
was sleeping as quietly us an infant
! -Four weeks from that day, Mis-
Kate Britton rode out in the doctor
carriage. almost rs we'll rs ever.
:. Doctor John looked unHtlcrabl
things lis he jumped into his ii" an,
took his seat beside her. Very lik,
the day Il month ago when he lrat
something very particular to say t,
himsclf--omly now he evidently ha,
Il communication TO make to another
1t will be safe for he to rcsum
my writing Tomorrow, will it not
doctor cnquircd Kate, the first t,
break the silence. II feel better an,
stronger to-day than | have for
!. year."
"No, little girl replied skrc doc
tor, 1t will not be safe for YOU {
resume your writing in six months
"Oh, doctor, you are only jokin
now! know you arc,' said Kate
noting the look of amusement in hi
expressive eyes.
"No, Kate, indeed, am not joking
You shall never go back to tina
drudgery again, if can help it,"
, The hot blood mounted clear t.
Hates temples.
"Dr. Hcssman," she said, assum
| ing busincss-likc manner, "but fo
, you should have been in my grave!
In all probability" broke i'll he
companion, with more truth thai
modesty.
"Wcll," she continued, ''you hav
saved my life. kept my darling littl
i, sister from starvation, and cared 10
us both, as though we had been You
own kimdred! But how can lever
r "Thcre, child, stop just where you
1 are. Never, if you have any rcgar'
for NV feelings. allow that word l.