The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1876-12-15

me.
There stood, with her back to M
Kate-false, false Kate-with the arl
of a tall, handsome, military lookin
man encircling her waist, her head res
ing on his shoulder, and even as 1 gezeC
he bent his head down and she raise
her arms--her face-her lips to meet hi
kisses, as he folded her tightly to hi
feast.
l saw no more, but stole blindly away
went to the stable, saddled and bride,
the horse in a dreamy fashion, mounte,
and rode back to Burnley, threw tn
bride to the man, walked straight to tn
station without seeing Fred. Garnet
and went off to London.
Six months glided by, and then wa
once more called upon to take charge o
the practice of friend, in the suburbs
1t was one dark night in winter that
was just going to bed, half wishing tha
| had had call for / knew that
should only lie and toss about sleeples
when the surgery bell rung sharply
and the summons that l had wished fol
came.
1t was policeman with handsome
cab and his oilskins shone wet and viv
idly in the red light of the lamp over the
door.
"Axiden' case, sir" he said. " DIR
Barker in the next streets got in, and
sir, and he wants help"
| learned from him that gentleman
had been knocked down by the very
same cab we were in, and trampled
down by the horses before the wheel
went over and broke his leg.
We were there in a few minutes, and
l was shown into the back parlor of a
comfortably furnished house, where the
sufferer had been laid upon a mattress.
A brief conversation with my colleague
ensued, and he told me what he feared
| and how he was situated, another i'm
portant call demanding his presence.
| The result was that ] agreed that we
| would examine the patient, and then j
| would stay till DIR. Barker's return.
A faint grOan from the mattress sa-
luted us as we turned to our patient,
and as l held the lamp over his face, and
the light fell upon the fair hair and lcng
! dropping mustache, / nearly dropped it.
Nemesis thought. Mine enemy
delivered into my hands. Kate's lover
lying bruised and broken-crushed like
a reed at my feet. And now / need not
kill him to be revenged for all his cruelty
to me, but stand by supine, and he
would die.
Fer a few brief moments told me that
[ possessed greater knowledge than my
colleagues, and that if withheld mine,
nothing which DR.. Barker could do
would save the flame even now tremb-
ling in the socket of life's lamp.
The scene in the wood flashed before
me once again as l stood there-Kate's
sweet face upturned asking for this mans
kisses, and all so vivid that my brain
reeled and a mist hoated before my
eyes.
What do you think. Mr.. Lawler ?"
said voice at my elbow, and l started
back into the present.
"That he'll be past saving in an
hour" l said, quietly.
Il fear sc" said Dr.. Barker, shrug-
ging his shoulders.
(" Unless
Here l unfolded my plans, as 1 said
bitterly to myself: And heap Goals of
fire upon his head. Kate, take your
lover, and God forgive you"
Excellent" exclaimed DIR. Barker,
who was frank gentlemanly fellow,
without professional jealousies; and in
an hours time we had done all that was
necessary, our patient was breathing
easily; DIR. Barker was shaking my hand.
He's saved, Mr.. Lawler. You've
saved his life. Now I'll be off and get
back in an hours time. You've given
me the greatest lesson in surgery / ever
had in my life"
And then was alone, thinking bitter
ly of what had done.
d" e-Kate-darling !"
Those words feebly uttered brought
me to myself, and / was the cold, hard
man once more as 1 rose, and taking the
lamp, bent down over my patient, whose
eye now opened and he stared at me.
Where's Kate ?" he said "and
where--what';- He stopped short.
Hush !"I said, coldly; "you have
had an accident"
Accident? Oh, yes, remember.
was going to catch the night train for
Burnley, when that confounded cab"
F' You must not talk" | said, fighting
hard to contain myself. You are
seriously hurt"
That last was not professional, but
there was grim pleasure in giving him
some pain.
"That's bad, DOCTOR" he whispered,
"for l was going down to see my dar-
ling-she's very ILL"
"Pn !" / exclaimed, starting.
Yes" he said, speaking with pain,
and could not stop him now. econ
they say, broken heart /
think. Some scoundrel
l almost dropped the lamp as | caught |
his hand and gripped it, and said in a
hoarse, choking voice, for l was strug
Cling to see the full light:
What do you wish me to do?
Telegraph, at my expense, to my
brother-in-law. Take it down, or you'll
forget. From Christopher Austey to
John Brand, Greenmead, Burnley. Say
Kate is not to fidget. You know best"
A" Yes, yes," l stammered, my hands
trembling as / took out pencil and pre-
,ended to write, Miss Kate" then |
ais"
"My darling !" sobbed the poor fel-
ow, "and she's dying "
He was too weak, too faint TO heed
ne, and with a bitter groan / turned
stunned mad almost at my folly. For
saw it all now, poor, weak, pitiful,
ealous fool that | was. / had seen the
,irl that l worshipped, petted and car
ssed by her own father, and, without
eeking or asking an explanation, | had
ushed away, leaving her to think me a
worse.
When / turned once more to the mat
ress my patient had fallen asleep, and /
TODD there thinking.
In a few minutes I had made my
,lans; then, watch in hand, / impa-
iently waited for DIR. Barker's return.
He was back to his time; and in few
words made my arrangements.
Doctor" ] said, "yOu said you
we're in my debt for this nights work,
"My dear sir, I'll write you a check
or twenty guineas, with pleasure" he
eplied.
f Pay me in this way" said; "see
hat these patients whose names ] have
written on this slip of paper are attended
o well for the next two days, and tell
,ur friend here that his message has
,een seen TO-"
He promised eagerly, and the next
minute / was in the street, running to
he nearest cab stand.
was Just in time to catch the early
morning train, and half mad, half joy |
us, l sat inpatiently there till the train
ropped me at Brunley, where the fly
Iowfy jolted me over to the four mile
arm