The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-11-09
RIDGWAY ELK COUNTY PA, THURSDAY NO

me to myself, and was the cold, hard
man once more as | rose, and taking the
Lamp, bent down over my patient, whose
eyes now opened and he stared at me.
"Where's Kate9" he asked; "and
where-what > He STOP ped short.
" Hush !" I said, coldly; "you have
had an accident"
"Accident9 Oh, yes, 1 remember. 1
was going to catch the night train for
Burnley, when that confounded cab -
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
darling-shes very ILL.,"
Ill !" exclaimed, starting.
Yes" he said, speaking with pain,
and L could not stop him now. "Con-
sumption, they say, broken heart 1
think. Some scoundrep-
1 almost dropped the lamp as caught
lis hand and gripped it, and said in
boarse, choking voice, for I was strug.
Cling to see the full light
What do you wish me to do a'
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"
Yes, yes," I stammered, my hands
trembling as took ont pencil and pre-
tended to write, Miss Kate" then
1 faltered, is
My darling child |" sobbed the poor
fellow, "and she's dying 70
He was too weak, too faint to heed
me, and with a bitter groan I turned
away stunned-mad almost at my TO ly.
For L saw it ell now, poor, weak, pitiful,
jealous fool that [ was. I had seen the
girl that I worshiped, petted and car
essed by her own father, aAd, without
seeking or asking an explanation, L had
rushed away, leaving her to think me
scoundrel-nay, worse.
When / turned once more to the mat
tress my patient had fallen asleep, and
stood there thinking.
In few minutes I had made nv
plans then, watch in hand, 1 impa-
tiently waited for DIR. Barker's return.
He was back to his time, and in a few
words I had made my arrangements.
" Doctor" I said, "you said you
were in my debt for this nights work."
6" Ny dear sir, I'll write you q check
for twenty guineas, with pleasure" he
replied.
"Pay me in this way" said; "see
that these patients whose names have
written on this slip of paper are attend
ed to well for the next two days, and
tell our friend here that his message has
been seen to-.
He promised eagerly, and the next
minute was in the street, running to
the nearest cab stand.
[ was Just in time. to catch the early
ous, 1 sat impatiently there till the train
dropped me at Burnley, where the fly
slowly jolted me over to the -Four. Mile
farm.
1t was bright, clear morning, and
the sun glanced from the river upon the |
trees, but I could think of only one
thing as I kept urging the driver on,
and he must have thought me mad as / |
leaped out and rushed into the we'll
known parlor.
"Kate!' cried, as half blind 1 ran
toward pale face lying back in an easy
chair by the fire.
"You scoundrelW was roared at the |
same moment, and the sturdy farmer
nad me pinned by the throat.
eyes, all that" I said; "only hear
me-"
His hands dropped as Kate uttered
ow cry and tainted.
"Quick - L said, "water aud some
orandy."
With low growl of rage my old pa
lent for gout obeyed me, and in few
minutes her head rested on my arm.
Have you come-to say good-bye2 2"
she said, feebly; and there was such
ook of reproach in that poor worn face,
hat only answered in whisper:
"No, no-to ask you to give and
bless me with your love; to ask you to
orgive me for my cruel weakness, for 1
must have been mad"
A deep groan made me turn my head
o see that the farmers head was down
lpou his arms, and his broad shoulders
we're heaving.
"I thought you would never come
gain, said Kate, feebly; "but never
ave up hope"