Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1872-06-06
THE LADY OF THE KEY.

shall be too late
With these words, the rough labor
ing man who summoned me, threw
open the door Of a rickety tenement
house in a back lane, and together
we began to mount the crazy stairs.
1t was a horrible spot-flthy, dark
and wretched-the abode of poverty
and woe, and, as we weut,np to the
topmost story of the reeking build
ing, I fairly shuddered to think that
there existed human beings who hud-
died together there and called that
den home
The thousand and one clocks ot
the city were tolIing out the hour OF
midnig int as we entered the sick room,
and stood in the presence of woman
who 1 knew at glance was dying OF
starvation.
My profession had, in a measure,
hardened me to such scenes, for | had
been but two years a physician, and
the practice of young medical Aedg-
ling is, it is a known fact, generally
among the lower classes, where want
and the evils which always follow in
their track abound.
The chamber, if the small cramped
apartment was worthy of so dignified
a name, was without carpet, and
contained by way of furniture only
two half broken chairs, the dingy
bed on which the patient lay, and a
small, unblacked, cheap cooking stove.
The walls were dirty and smoky.
and the sombre glare OF a greasy old
oil lamp, with a chimney nearly OBJ
scured by the accumulated SCOT Of
many weeks, cast but feeble light
around.
looked at the woman stretched
out and nearly cold before me, and
as her closed eyes quivered with a
faint but Intellectual attempt to open
when her dull ears caught the sounds
of our coming, shook my head.
The face Of my conductor fell.
ais she past hope?" the man asked
anxiously, in whisper:
l nodded aAirmatively.
Il bought some brandy as I came
to YOU" said the kindhearted fellow,
still in whisper; " wouldn't that
do some good? ?"
1 reached out my hand for it and
tasted it; it was vile stuf-a nause-
Gus compound of crude whisky and
adulterated cognac oil; but it was
the best sold in that neighborhood, it
had strergth-so 1 put the flask to
the patients lips, and forced a few
drops down her throat.
She revived almost instantaneously
and opened her eyes wildly.
Where is it Oh, where is it 2
she gasped family, and her pale, bony
fingers began tremulous search
about her neck.
1 thought it YVES delirium, and
waited silently. At.length she fast
ened on gold chain that was about
her neck, one end Of which was hid
den away in her bosom.
A shade Of relief passed over her
worn countenance at this, and draw
ing the portion that had been con
cealcd into the light. she clasped
convulsively in both hands small
iron key that was attached to it, and
pressed it to her lips.
Thank heaven = she murmured,
as she did this, and glanced sharply
about the place. "Now, when he
comes again he will not harm me J.
Immediately she grew stronger,
and shortly she said, quite nationally,
but feebly-
You are doctor -
Yes I said.
Why is that other person with
you" ?"
The man himself answered this
questson-
81 ara the owner Of this house and
your friend
"My friend !" repeated the woman
in low voice. :. MY friend, sir |
had a husband, but he was no friend
and he is dead-and II am dying,
too"
tried to stop her from talking,
butit was. s.of no avail, and she con-
tinued-
Doctor, you are making efforts to
save me; know you are. You
know the strength Of woman's will ?
Yes. Well, I have made up my
mind to die, and l will not be banll,-
ed. You ask Inc my reasons. We'll,
you shall have them-alter I'm gone.
They are written out in this paper
Promise me you will not break the
seal until I am dead"
I promised and she drew small
packet from under her pillow, and
placed it in my hands. Then, en-
tirely exhausted by ehe Efforts size
had made in speaking, the wo,aar
closed her eyes, and. after quick
gasp, ceased to breathe.
Ny companion, provided with the
necessary certificate, sought al I'M
dertaker, aild l went home as speed
ly as possible, glad in my heart O
hearts that the woman was at rest.
Once seated in my office, | broke
the seal OF the packet, and read the
following strange story
I have been, taithless wife but
oh, how bitterly have l been pun
ishedl
I was a native of a far country-a
Russian. Here l was but 2 poverty
stricken and unhappy exile.
Years ago'l was the young and
hsppy wife of the Duke Of all the
Russians
BE was powerful and rich, and the
slavesof my beauty. y
49, I loved him in return with all the
ardor of a passionate soul.
5IaHe. had taken me to his heart a
Z peasant easm an girl, and had raised me from
orch dailv toll. to a proud coronet !