The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-07

81 did, Miss Dallas, and upon q very
serious matter. Pardon me if appear to
be medding with your secrets; do it
only TO save fellow creatures lile.V asis
The young woman's face flushed during
the remarks, but paled when he spoke so
gravely. He continued: IG va bn
Three weeks ago i was called to the
bedside Of Harry Gilman, and found him
Frustrated with BRAN fever. | saw at
the outset that the case was q desperate
one, but hoped that skill and care might
bring him through. From that day until
this have been almost constant in my
attendance upon him, have battled with the
disease inch by inch, and striven with what
skill had at command to save him.
"Early ia my attendance | saw there
was some dreadful disappointment beneath
his malady, If not the cause Of his prostra-
ton. In the hours that, his mind wan
dered, your name 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
enlargement has come between you late
~; and | 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 live or die.
Without any help but such as can render
him he may De saved; but mans life is
TOO great a jewel to trille with, and we feel
If you would but help us we could urely
save him. viii you consent to assist
us?"
"What could Ido?" she asked
"fhe plan have marked out in my
ha h.,
midnight he will arouse from his present
stupor and in the next ten minutes his fate
will be decided. 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
beyond danger; but if at that moment he
recalls the past, and despondenty sinks
under it, no power under heaven but you
can save him.
''And what would you have me do p"
'sJust 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.
'tBut how ~ q, ~. "a.
."We could pretend you had recalled your
ucClSiOu vi " lew Weeks ago. .t.HI -
"Oh, that would be too horrible j could
never do that.n
mot to save mans life ~ he asked,
solemnly.
"He would not thank me for saving his
life by such mockery,' she said. "Why,
might. have to say that loved him, might
| not? --2'4 49,
tYes.D ,st
"Oh, | could not do it,"
'sNot even to save his lire?''
''You said that before" she said, "but
not even for that could / do this thing.
Harry and | have ever been dear friends.
never fancied that he could love ,ue 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 be. Think
of some other plan.o
~ have thought of ali ways, Miss Dali
las. | may not have to ask you to do
this thing that you dislike SO much, IN
less in the contingency ! spoke OF. will
not say to you what you ought to do, my
dear young lady, but promise you, il I
am compelled to ask your assistance, that
! will explain the whole matter to Harry,
just as it is, and give him correct report
and understanding Of your part in it,,
.Bnt how could | ever meet him
again ?'
ut will be no harder then than it is
now. And | have no doubt Harry will
leave the place if he RECEIVERS"
" would be glad to help you, Doctor.
but this would seem like profanity to
me-"
vt is to save fellow creatures life.
and be all the. blame on me-"
II wish could do it. but what an aw-
iul thing it is for girl to dol"
VI can appreciate your hesitation, and
yet, if you were my daughter / would say
it was your duty to do it.o
THANK you for saying that, Doctor it
decides me. will do what you ASK
Thanks; | will call for you this even
ing, and explain your part to you.v
Later in the night there gathered around
the bed of the sick man his mother and
sisters, the doctor aud Kate Dallas. The
doctor had explained to the others the part
he had pursuaded Kate to act If it should
be necessary !; and they had thanked
her over and over for consenting.
They sat near each other; the mother and
sisters wondering in their own hearts that
any girl could know their Harry and not
love him, but yet, they are women enough
to know that love cannot be forced or rea-
soned..
''How is he now, Doctor?o the mother
whispers, and his reply, "There is no
change They await the SLOW turnings of
another hour, and then the sleeper makes |
some movements with his lips, and the
doctor, bending over, catches the word.
Kate" but he does not tell it to the
others. BY and by there is another move.
ment, and the doctor beckons them out of
the room.
"In a quarter Of an hour more he will
awaken he says, "You, Mrs. Gilman and
Ruth, will stand near me and be ready to
catch the first question lie asks and
answer 1t. Miss Dallas, you will stand at
the door and come if speak to you. and
act as ! have told you before. five are
prompt and careful, and God wills it. we
will save his life."
The mother and sister step softly back
% the bedside, and the doctor, reading the
remor in Hates eyes, waits 10 speak with
Ter.
"Yon will not have to say word. Miss I.e
DALLAS. 4 will play the tyrannical doctor {
o perfection and save you, as well as '
lniet any apprehensions that come to his r
mind. God bless you ~ 2sNR isei
1t was no common case with Doctor b
5rown, this attendance on Harry Gilman. l
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