The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1873-08-03

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cry rs she llnolt there, her black robes
making such striking contrast 10 her
llly-Whileslin; and Dr. Clifton though,
80 rs lie bent above the little sufferer,
ana assured her he would do all in his
power 10 save her child, Three long
days and nights the danger continued,
ana every moment the young doctor
could possibly spare from his other pa-
llenls, he devoted 10 this most interest
ing one, until Maggie learned to listen
Tor his step and seek comfort In his
glance, with strength Of which she
was not aware.
On the fifth night Of watching, there
was II change for the better. DR., Gilt
ton stood with his finger on The little
hot wrist and his watch In his hand,
counting the bounding pulsations,
while Maggie looked anXiously from
tho thoughtful face Of the doctor to the
flushed check Of the little one, awaiting
IN dread and suspense the decision she
knew was coming
ellis fever il evidently nbating, he
said at last, ms he laid the little hand
back upon the pillow, Sand think by
morning, il viii have entirely cooled
"Hhank God ~ exclaimed Maggie,
under her breath, "und thank YOU too,
doctor, for know that to you, under
heaven, owe the life of my child.
How shall repay your Tears Of joy
filled her eyes as she raised them tohis
face.
~ have only done my duty, madam,
and deserve no thanks he replied
though, he thought il she did not
wear such deep black, he could readily
suggest way 10y which she could more
than repay him. But her Grape dress
sealed his lips and leaving some drcc-
tions to he followed, in case little VIII
lie should awaken, he left him, promis-
ing to return before daylight
The next morning the child was en-
tirely free from fever and in u short
time was so far recovered that Doctor !
Clifton would no longer call him his |
patient, and Of course his visits to the
Widows cottage ceased.
If he was reluctanttO yield the pleas
ure they had brought him, he did not |
say so, and Maggie did not acknowl- |
edge, even to her own heart, h0w,nuch |
she missed his sympathy and compan-
ionship. The sickness in the village |
gradually decreased, and Doctor Cliff
ton returned to his own home, only |
calling at the cottage gate to say good
bye TO his little patient, and leave n
package of bon bons in his hands.
The winterpassed away; spring came
with her fragrant verdurc to clothe
the earth, ana still Maggie Hurst was
almost isolated in her own home, SEQ
ing only her most intimate friends,
and not a spot Of white about her sable
garments.
One evening DR.. Nelson called to see
her, and marking her white check and
almost transparent hand, said, "Gou
ought to put on more cheerful dress
Maggie; this deep black is running
your health, dear, and it can not bring
back the dead"
~ know it," shereplied; "but have
tried m vain to make up my mind to
leave Off mourning. 1t seems like sun
dering the last link that binds me to
him.
The tears tilleu her eyes rs she spoke,
and fell upon the hand lying in her
lap.
health, my child,h said the kind old
man; if not for your own sake, for lit
tie Wilie's."
He rose to go, but turned back to
hand hera letter, saying, 81 came near
this"
He made no other comment upon sit
but picked up his hat and walked out,
leaving her TO read her letter alone.
This was only one Of many that had
reached her under cover to the good
old doctor, who always attended to re-
cciving and mailing her letters for her
Her replies he had taken the prccau-
ton to re-enclose in another envelope,
and direct in his own large sprawling
hand, thus closing up every avenue To
village gossip upon the subject The
doctor kept his own counsel, and said
not word to any one, not even to
Maggie, when he gave her the letters.
The first she had received was
simple inquiry after little Willie, to
which she replied briefly. Another
and another followed, until she grew
to look for these kindly messages of
affection, so friendly and respectful in
tone, none of which ever contained
the most distant allusion to love or
marriage. Nothingto startle orarouse
her from the unconscious security IN
which she slumbcred regarding her own
feelings. This evening, she listlessly
broke the seal of the letter handed her,
and her face grew crimson rs she read.
-Four closely written pages! Her
hands trembled and her eyes grew dim
as she read on and on, never pauslng
until she reached the last line, when
dropping the letter in her lap, she
burst in passion of tears. "Oh, no,
no.u she exclaimed, 81 could never
consent to such thing-never,' and
she refolded the letter without again
,slancing at its contents. That night
when she pressed her sleeping child to
her breast, she said to herself again
and again that she would always he
true to the memory Of her boys faith
or. The next morning she sat down to
answer DIR. CliftOn's letter, and after
beginning several cpistles, she threw
them all aside, having failed to express
herself as she wished.
A week passed away, and she again
opened her desk to indite II reply to
Gilbert Clifton. al wish to restrain
his cheering friendship" she said,
sand | scarcely know how to write"
At last the letter was finished and
sent oft, and as an answer came very
speedily, it could not have entirely
ullenched the Doctors ardor.
Gordon Hurst had just been dead two
wears when Maggie received the letter
lust alluded to. Although she was as
devoted rs ever to her husbands mem
ory, and still secluded herself from
society, and continued the deep mourn
-. = H.. ,lrosC clio did mt refuse