The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-07-27

dinner, he requested to see Charles. Mr.
Shirley led HIM u the sick mans room.
William was shocked to see the change his
illness had produced The last time he
saw him he was the picture Of health,
buoyant and spirited, and full Of life
Now he was pale and emanciated, with
the hue of a corpse. He was quite ration
al but still very feeble and nos able to
converse much He was very much pleas
ed t. see William, and evlnced his pleas
ure as well as he could in his feeble state
Mr.. Langham knowing how glad he would
be to hear of his father and mother and
sister, gave him an account of all that had
transpired since he left New York Charles
listened gladly and gratefully, and hoped
he would soon See them all AGAIN
"Of course you Will, said Mr. Lang
ham, We will soon have yuu well again
! shall stay here with you, and see that
you DO get Well | assure you. ! shall
allow no doctor to kill you with his nos
trums.
- He has had one of the best physicians
the city afforded, said Mr. Shirley
e" do not doubt it, " said William, ''and
| thank you for your kindness to "a
stranger"
= did no more tlan my duty"
= Very few do their duty. and We feel
no less grateful, because YOU c, nsider it
simply your duty to care for fellow
being would like to see the physician
who attends him.
'Ym have your wish Here he comes ''
said MIR. Shirley.
At this moment the doctor entered the
room, and William greeted him warmly
The physician returned his greeting with
equal warmth ." am very glad" said
William, : that Charles has had the bene-
tit Of your skill.
What is this young man to you t ask
ed the doctor
Mr. Langham culored slightly and an
swered g An Old friend whom ! have
known from boyhood" Tell me what you
think Of his case.
He will soon be driving the saw and
showing the plane, answered the physi-
clan.
Then may telegraph to his friends
that he is fast recovering.
Yes, ! think You may safely do s..
Mr. Langham sent message to Mr.
Gordon to the effect, that Charles was
doing well and would soon he able to re-
sumo his work.
Day by day, he gathered strength, and
four days later he was able To- set up an
hour III another week lac was up aud sit
ting i'll an vasy-chair nearly all day.
I'm the meantime, William had received
letter from Helen, containing the Joy
full news Of George Brandon's safe return,
and the hope that William would soon be
home Its conclusion read thus George
says his unavoidable absence prevented our
marriage several years, and then his ship
wreck postponed it, and he is constantly
urging me to consent to an immediate mar
riage, but | feel it would be slight to you
MY dear, kind brother. and | cannot agree
to become his wife until you can be pres
ent at the ceRemOnv.
When Charles was strong enough to con.
verse without wearness, William informed
him Of the years Helen had waited for the
return Of her lover, and the suspense she
had endured for some time, fearing he had
found a watery grave his safe return, and
their wish TO be married as soon as posi-
bic, lest something else should occur to
separate them | will wait, he continued.
until you are able to travel and we will
both participate in the wedding festivities. -
You are looking forward to a marriage
with Katie, and your sister is about to be
united to the man Of her choice, while |
am condemned to wander alone through
life, poor, forsaken old batchelor." said
Charles despondingly.
THAT is one Of your sick fancies. A
good looking young man like you, talk d
being an old bachelor" William laugh.
ingly, said.
. 1t may be, as you say, a sick fancy,
but it seems to me very much like reali
| ty. At the commencement of INV sick.
ness, while l lay suffering intensely
beautiful young lady came to my bedsid,
and laid her hand on my head. The soft
sweet touch Of her fingers drove the pail
away, and fell asleep When | awoke
she had vanished. She appeared to m,
like an angel from Heaven. She coulC
not have been an earthly being. IL
thought she existed on earth, | shoulC
search the wide world over, but l woulC
find her"
William was seized with terrible fear
Had the blow on his head affected hi
reason he had detected nothing before
which indicated a tendency tOinsanity, bu
the vision Of young lady soothing hi
pain, was simply preposteroYs. The frs
opportunity William had Of seeing Mr.
Shirley alone, he enquired Of him if he hat
detected any symptoms Of Charles brail