Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-02-20
INDEPENDENCE, IOWA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20,

tient was asleep.
He walked out where the women
were awaiting him, took Kate's
hands in his, and said, "You have
saved his life."
"Thank God!" came swelling up
from the mothers heart.
From this point Harry's recovery
WIS rapid. His frequent inquiries
for Kate were parted until the hour
came when DR. Brown felt the sto
ry had best be told. There was NO
danger to be feared for Harry
while something might possibly
happen to annoy Kate, so he sci
about unfolding the stratagem. Har.
ry listened attcntively, .his face
turning red and pale by turns, but
he spoke no word until the story
was finished.
l did this" said the doctor, "be.
cause knew it was the last chance
of saving your life. kept her back
until saw it must bssdone."
Shave you seen Kato since tllal
nighta'
81 saw her once, and then only
for a moment. The poor girls
nerves underwent u terrible strain
that night, and l called to help her.
"Doctor, | want to ask YOU ono
question. Do you think l can ever
have any hope Of winning her love?''
"To be frank with you, my dear
boy, l do not think you ever can;
have given you a careful accoun,
of what passed between us at our
interview, and to me, her manner
showed that you had no part in her
heart"
"Yet mother says she has been
over daily to inquire for me-"
eyes, but it was at my sugges-
tion, until l had told you the sto-
ry."
"Doctor, am, so far as you can
tell, in my right mind; am 1 not?''
"Certainly."
"The fever has all gomez"
"Of course it has. What are You
driving at?"
"Just this" he replied, with des-
pairing bitterness, 81 wish to heav-
en- you had let me die!"
"Why, Harryr'
81 meant it. You ought to. have
let me die"
"My boy you are too young to
talk like this. There is more in life
than just loving and being loved.
You have your mother and sisters,
if you care nothing for yourself"
"Well, let it so. AS | am alive,
| must make the best Of it. / thank
you just as much as ii life was dear
to me. When can l drive out?"
Tomorrow, if you choose
Where do you want to go?"
"To see Kate Dallas"
"Not to worry her, Harry?"
"No, to thank her, and then with
draw from her presence forever"
"Can help your"
"No, except to let me visit her
without announcing that | am COM
ing"
The next day Harry was driven
to the home of Kate Dallas, and as
he sat in the parlor awaiting her
appearance, his thin white lips
seemed to move as if he were re-
hearsing his part.
81 am glad to see you out again,
Harry" she said, as she came to-
wards him, but though her voice
was sprightIy, her face was fully as
pale as his.
"Thank you, Kate; this is my
first call; but DIR. Brown consented
to my ride to-day"
Her eyes tried to read in his il
the doctor had told the story, but
she said:
81 hope you will soon be out OF
the DOCTORS hand"
IL learned from DR.. Brown last
evenings" he went ON, as if deter
mined to say at once what he had
come to say, "of what you consented
to do tor him during my sickness.
l ought to thank you toi, perhaps,
saving my life. l do thank you
heartily for all that you did, and all
the more because / know it was a
terrible task for you. He told me
the complete history OF his plan,
and while | wish it had never been
thought Of, l cannot but see how
great sacrifice you made for me,
and thank you for it,"
She had covered her face with
her hands as soon as he began, and
still kept them there. He waited a
moment, as ii to give her an oppor
tunity to speak, but She remained
silent.
81 have come," he resumed, mot
to thank you, only, but also to say
goodbye"
She uncovered her face at this,
and her eyes filled with Anxiety
he went on:
"In a few days I will leave Mel
vile forever, but if-no matter
where ! am-the day should come
when l can be of help or assistance
to you, you will remember that l
owe my life to you, and"-he almost
broke down here--'all that / am
or have will be at your service"
She had covered her tace again,
and had he looked closely he might
have seen tears forcing their way
between her fingers, but his eyes
were on the carpet, where they had
been all the time.
81 am sorry," he continued, "more
sorry than l can tell you, that have
ever been the cause OF annoyance
to you, or have ever brought auyht
Of sadness into your life, but you
have beautiful days in store for you
wherein these will be forgotten, and
l hope you will think OF me, If at
all, as one who would rejoice in
your happiness and be happy in
your JOY"
He waited moment, as if hoping
she would ray word, but the tears
were dropping from her eyes thick
and fast, and her tongue refused 10
sneak.