The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-02-07

door bell summoned her to admit DR.. Gore.
The kind hearted physician looked
searchingly into the little woman's pale
face, saying: "poor child, you have had
long weary day all alone too" Then the
appealing look in her face found utterance.
"Dr. Gore, can you save my husband,
will you not 90
How often have agonized hearts in like
manner appealed, as if these mortal heal
ers of our bodies possessed the power to
conquer Death itself.
DIR. Gore answered earnestly: Z" shall
do all that is possible for human power to
do for Mr. Juanez.' After a careful exam
ination of the patient, whose breathing
seemed more natural, he turned with a
hopeful face to Mrs. Juanez, SAYING
"There seems to be a change for the bet
ter in your husbaud-cheer up, We'll get
him through this after all l think-now
listen to me.
81 am greatly disappointed that the per-
son who promised to come this morning to
assist you has failed us, and am afraid l
cannot procure a substitute before to-mor
row morning. The disease is spreading
very rapidly, and the demand for nurses
consequently very great.
care you bravo woman?' he asked;
and without waiting for reply added;
"brave enough to stay alone with MIR.
Juanez tonight if 1 am unable to send you
aid before morning"
Greatly encouraged by the more favora-
BILE symptoms of her husband, Mrs. Juanez
readily answered:
eyes; since you think Mr.. Juanez bet
ter, shall not mind being left alone with
him. l can easily do all that is to be done"
81 will come again in the morning as
early as five; before that time if possible
the DR.. said, encouragingly.
After changing the medicine and max
ing another careful examination Of the
patient, the Doctor left the room, Mrs.
Juanez following him to the door and say
ing, Just as he stepped outside; "you will
not fail to return early in the morning p
81 will not" he answered. Something
in her manner caused him to turn about
suddenly and look searchingly into her
face, saying:
care you really not at all afraid to be
left alone to- night?'
ooh, no! not at ALL" she replied smiling.
1t was now nearly dark, for the days
were quite short, and Mrs. Juanez hurried
ly made the necessary preparations for the
night Having occasion to go to the SER
wants portion of the house, to her astonish-
ment and alarm she found one of the out
side doors slightly ajar.
Could it be possible that she had, while
fastening the doors that msrning, overlook
ed that one?
"No. ~ she said aloud, 81 am sure /
fastened all of them" The more she
thought of it, however, the more doubtful
she became upon the subject She thought,
"there can no harm come from it anyway,
for certainly no person would enter house
having that conspicuous yellow banner
floating gaily at the front entrance
Going into the kitchen, she stood several
minutes at a table, preparing various
articles for use in the night.
Was some one breathing near her? She
turned shortly about, saw nothing, gather
ed up her articles in eager haste in the
deepening gloom, ran swiftly up the stairs
leading to the dining-rosm, then faced
about with scarcely suppressed shrek
upon her lips. For moment she peered
downward with a scared, white face, as if
striving to pierce the deep shadows.
Was that the outline of human form in
the gloom below
Filled with vague fear she ran on swifter
than before, up the long STAIRS, gained her
room, shut and locked the door, and sank
weak with fright and fatigue into chair
She listened. What allied the clock ? 1t
struck, one! two three on to twelve.
She never knew it to do so before. After
few moments, as her fears subsidized, she
became composed and blamed herself for
giving way to nervousness. She rose from
her seat, firmly resolved to be governed no
more by such foolish fears.
Busy with ministrations to the sick man
she thought little of that which had caused
her fright, yet her every sense was keenly
on the alert.
She paused now and then to 60 to the
door and listen attentively; twice she
opened it and stepped into the corridor.
The wind had quite died away; she heard
no sound, not even the ticking of the
great clock, that always sounded especially
distinct at night. Wondering for mo-
ment at that, and its peculiar manner in
striking, she said: "poor old clock, you
are out of joint too from sympathy ex-
pect ~
Securing the door again, she put fresh
coal on the CRATE; stirred it till it blazed
cheerfully; shaded the light carefully from
the face of the sick man and sat down to
her patient vigils by the bedside.
The cheerful fire, the mellow light, made
everything look so comfortable. Mr.. Jua-
nez's fears had quite vanished, and she
felt, did occasion require it, she could go
down stairs again, without tremor.
Pursuant to DR.. Cores suggestion, she
poured out little brandy, and drank it.
As the evening wore on, Mr.. Juanez
grew very restless in his slumber, moaning
and frequently calling out her name. Alb
sorbed in anxious care, Mrs. Juauez was
surprised, upon consulting her watch, to
find it nearly midnight.
"Would the night seem very long, and
would DR.. Gore come early as he pro-
mised:"
Going into the other room to the bureau,
which stood at the farther side of the
apartment, and directly opposite the door
of which we have spoken, Mrs Juanez I'M
loosed her heavy hair, and drew from her
finger, costly and antique ring, and laid
it hastily upon the bureau, instead of in
its tortoise shell case as was her usual GUS
tom.
This ring was magnificent fire opal, in
setting of rich, old fashioned workman