Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-01-30

rassment quite at variance with the
usual ingenious and familiar style for
which he was noted. 'Dear NEEDLESS
me : said ne, 1t will be very extracr-
binary if that young gentleman turns
out to be your son, Mr.. Bingly; and
really I shouldn't wonder-that is
excuse me-of course it is impossible
for me to guess, as l never happened
to see your som
'Well, WE'LL interrupted Mr. Bingly
impatiently, Il must be satisfied: this
suspense is unendurabie. Take me to
his bedside at once, where will thank
Heaven if he be not my son, and do
all in my power 10 serve him. whoever
he may be
On condition., said the chemist SER
iously, that you promise to suppress
all emotion, even should your worst
fears bc realized
% Heaven! is my boy dead!' in
quired Mr.. Bingly in agony.
No, no, my dear sir. The young
man--for it is only your own fears
which have told you he is your sons
under the influence of composing
draught. have promised the surgeon
that the profoundest stiffness shall be
maintained, as any excitement, or even
the least startling noise, might prove
fatal TO him
DO not fear me-, said Mr.. Bingly
what can not endure if the life of
my dear Harry depend upon it,
We'll. then, relying on your silence,
and that you will suppress every cx-
clamation Or communication until We
leave the room, will take you to him.
Can you depend upon yourself:'
Il think can said Mr.. Bingly with
faltering voice-for there was some
thing in the chemists manner that
seemed to confirm his apprehensions.
Perhaps your sons life depends up
on it = interposed Mr.. Tisick with a
sternness of manner UNUSUAL with him,
therefore the more emphatic.
Il am sure l can, added Mr.. Bingly
with firmness.
Il rely upon YOU said the consider
ate little chemist, and led the way up
staircase carpeted thickly, every
inch, TO render inaudible the lightest
or the heaviest football. This stair
case, and the chamber to which it led.
we're USED only IN the most dangerous
cases-wherein Mr.. Tisick exercised
his benevolence and Christian charity,
In retaining the patient under his own
roof; it was portion Of the house
separated from the family apartments,
and where none entered except on
mission of mercy. Mr.. Tisick opened
the door, which, being incased in baize,
without hasp or bolt, yielded noise
lessly to the slightest touch.
Mr.. Bingly paused for an instant
on the threshold, and convulsively
grasped the hand of the chemist, who
suffered the door again TO close at this
symptom Of agitation; but, as if
ashamed of his irresolution, Mr.. Bing-
ly, though evidently with an effort, re-
covered his self-possession, and mo-
toned to proceed.
The gas-shades were so contrived as
TO throw a subdued soft light over the
apartment the curtains of the low
bed were drawn back and tucked away,
as if to give air to the invalid, or
what was more thrilling thought
facility perhaps to some torturing OPP
Grafton which had been, or was still to
be performed.
The patient lay like corpse upon
the bed, the upper part of the face en-
tirely concealed by green shade,
placed over the forehead, as there were
injuries apprehended to the sight, but
the mouth and nostrils strongly defin-
ed, pale and graceful in their clear out
line as statuary marble, were too close
resemblance for the father to behold
unmoyed-his agonized grasp of the
chemists shoulder at once awoke the
latter's experienced suspicion, that
feeling would overcome prudence. But
he instantly saw that resolution had
resumed her sway, the torture of sus-
pense having found vent and relief in
tears, which silently flowed down the
fathers cheeks for one he at the mo-
ment believed to be his son.
With many a struggle the father
kept his promise of silence, in the
hope Of being permitted 70 remain just
where he was---riveted to the spot
watching the awaking, the slightest
movement, or even the breathing of
his son. Al this moment, the patient
moved his hand, turning the palm up.
wards, as if in search of some friendly
clasp; the chemist, with the quickness
OF thought, prevented the father from
giving the answering pressure but
still the longing hand was stretched
out. and suddenly young faiT crea-
ture, more like an angel than human
being, who had been watching, half.
concealed, amid the folds of the cur
tain, erept gently forward, and placed
gers of the invalid closed round the
little prisoner. as il To retain the