The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-12-09

his head down and she raised her arms
her face---her lips to meet his kisses, as
he folded her tightly to his breast.
saw no more, but stole bliudly away,
went to the stable. saddled aud bridled
the horse in dreamy fashion, mounted,
rode back to Burnley, throw the bride
to the man, went straight to the station
without seeing Fred Garnet, and went of
to London.
Six months glided by, aud then | was
once more called upon to take charge Of
the practice of friend in the suburbs.
1t was one dark night in the winter
that 1 was just going to bed, half wishing
that had had call-for l knew that |
should only lie and toss about sleepless,
and was too good doctor to take my
own drugs when the surgery bell rang
sharply, aud the summons that l had
wished for came.
1t was policeman with hanson
cab, and his oilskin shone wet and vividly
in the red light of the lamp over the
door.
"Axiden' case, sir" he said. "Dr.
Barker 10 the next streets got it in and,
sir, and he wants help"
learned from him that a gentleman
had been knocked down by the very same
cab we were in, and trampled upon by
the horse before the wheel went over and
broke his leg.
We were there in few minutes, and
was shown into tho back parlor of q COM
fortably furnished house, where the suf-
ferer had been laid upon mattress.
A brief conversation with my colleague
cnsued, and he told me what he feared
and how he was situated, another import.
ant call demanding his presencs. The
result was that l agreed that we would
examine the patient, and then l would
stay till DR.. Barker's return.
A faint groan from the mattress saluted
US as we turned to our patient, and as |
held the lamp over his face, and the light
fell upon the fair hair and dropping
moustache, l nearly dropped it.
"Nonsense," thought. Mine enemy
delivered into my hand. Kates lover ly.
ing 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.
For few brief moments told me that
possessed greater knowledge than my
colleague, and that if withhold mine,
nothing which DR., Barker could do would
savc the fame even now trembling in the
socket Of life's lamp.
The scene in the wood flashed before
me once again as stood there-Kate's
sweet face upturned asking for this mans
kisses, and all SO vivid that my brain
reeled and mist foated before my eyes.
"What do you think, Mr.. Law!er ?"
said voice at my elbow, and I started
back into the present.
That hell be past saving in au hour"
I said, quietly.
II fear so" said DR.. Barker, shruR.
ging his shoulders.
'Upiess--''
Here l unfolded my plans as l said
bitterly to myself, "And heap Goals of
fire upon his head. Kate, take your lover,
and God forgive you"
Excellent" exclaimed DR.. Barker,
who was frank, gtntlemanly fellow,
without professional jealouses; and in
an hours time we had done all that was
necessary, our patient was breathing ca.
silly, and DR.. 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
mo the greatest lesson in surgery l ever
had 10 my life."
And then l was alone, thinking bitterly
Of what | had done.
Notwithstanding
These words feebly muttorcd brought
me to myself, and | was the cold, hard
man once moro as rose, and taking the
lamp, bent down over my patient, whose
eyes now opened and he stared at ne.
"Where's Kate?" he asked; "and
where what" He stopped short
"Hush," l said, coldly; "you have
had an accident"
Accident Oh, yes. l remember
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 seri.
ously hurt"
This last was not professional, but there
was grim pleasure 10 giving him some
pain.
That's bad, DOCTOR" he whispered,
"for | was going down to zee my darling
she's very ILL.,"
"Ill ?" exclaimed starting.
"Yes." he said, speaking with pain,
and could not stop him now. "Con.
sumption, they say; broken heart,
think. Some scoundrel-"
almost dropped the lamp as | caught
his hand and gripped it, and said, in Il
hoarse, choking voice, for | was strug.
Cling 10 see the Iuil light
"What do you wish me to do?"
Telegraph at my expense to my broth.
er-in'law. Take it down or you'll forget.
From Christopher Anstey to j ohm Brand,
Greenbead, Burnley. Say Kate is not to
fdget. You know best"
"Yes yes" stammered my hands
trembling as | took out pencil and pre-
tended to write. "Miss Kate, then"
faltered, 'is-"
"My darling child" !" sobbed the poor
fellow, land she's dying"
He was too weak, too faint to heed mo
as with bitter groan l turned away
stunued-mad almost at my folly. For
| saw it all now, poor. weak, pitiful, joy .
less fool that l was. l had seen the girl
| worshiped petted and caressed by her
own father, and without seeking or asking
an explanation. | had rushed away, leay-