Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-03-13
THE STORY OF A KISS.

Il did, Miss Dallas, and upon a very seri-
GUS matter. Pardon'me if I appear to be
meddling with your secrets IIdoit only
to save a fellow creatures life.'
S. The young woman's face flushed during
the remarks, but paled when he spoke, so
gravely. He continued =
Three weeks ago ] was called to the bed
side Of Harry Gilman, and found him pros
trated with a brain fever. / saw at the
outset that the case was a desperate one,
but hoped that skill and care might bring
him through. From that day uatil this l
have been almost contant in my attend.
ance upon him, have battled with the dis
ease inch by inch, and striven with what
skill I had at command to save him.
early in my attendance I saw there Wis
some dreadful disappointment beneath his
malady, if not the cause of his prostration.
In the hours that his mind wandered your
nam was constantly on his tongue. His
sister told me, in answer to my questions,
that Harry was deeply and truly in love
with you, but that an estrangement had
come between you lately; and I think this
blow has been the one that brought him
under my care. Tonight the crisis in his
disease will be reached, and tonight will
answer our questions as to whether he will
liveo die. Without any help but such as
I a render him he may be savel ; but a
mans life is too great a jewel to trifle with,
and WI feel if you would but help US we
could surely save him. Will you consent
to assist us p
What could I do p she asked. !
sTheplan Ihaye marked out in my mind,
said he, is simply this About midnight
he will arouse from his present s:upor and
in the next ten minutes his fate will be de-
cided. The main point will be to have
him make an effort for his own life. Should
he try to live, his chances will be among
the best should he make no such effort,
we might with stimulants carry him be-
You'd danger but if at that moment he
recalls the past, and despondently sinks
under it, no power under heaven but you
can save him.
And what would you have me do p
Just this, Miss Dallas If when he
awakens, he is hopeful and remembers
nothing of his disappointment, we will not
need you at all. But should he begin to
sink the sight of you would save him.
But how ?
We could pretend you had recalled your
decisions of a few weeks ago.
oh, that would be too horrible ! l could
never do that
Not to save a mans life p he asked,
solemnly.
He would not thank me for saving his
life by such a mockery, , she said. Why,
I might have to say that flowed him might
l not p
Yes
"Oh, I could not do it'll
Not even to save his lifep'
you said that before,' she said, but not
ever for that could I do this thing. Har.
ny and / have ever been dear friends, /
never fancied that he could love me until
he surprised me by his avowal, and then ]
told him it could not be. How could ]
stand at his bedside now and say that
loved him! No, no, it cannot he. Think
of some other plan.'
"Ihave thought of all ways, Miss Dallas
I may not have to ask you to do this thing
that you dislike SO much, unless in the
contingency Ispoke Of. will not say te
you what you oesyht to do, my dear young
lady, but l promise you, if l am compiled
to ask your assistance, that ! will explain
the whole matter to Harry, just as it. is
and give him a correct report and under
| standing of your part in it,
But how could I eyer meet him again!
1T will be no harder then than it is
And / have no doubt Harry will leave thu
place if he recovers.' eAa "a
Il would be glad to help you, Doctor
but this would seem like profanity to me.
1T is to saye a fellow creatures life, ant
be all the blame on me.' 81 sa
Il wish / could do it, but what an awfu
thing it is for a girl to do r. sssJ s@'a
! Il can appreciate your hesitation, ant
yet, If you were my daughter I would sa,
it was your duty to doit.'
Thank you for saying that, Doctor
decides me. I will do what you ask.
sThankn. I will cali for YOU tIiS even