The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-10-26
The Anti-MOnopOlist.

possessed greater knowledge than my eel
leagues, and that if withheld mine moth
ing which DR.. Barker could do would save
the fame even now trembling in the socket
of ife's lamp.
The scene in the wood flashed before met
once again as I stood there--Kate's sweet
face upturned, asking for this mans kisses,
and so vivid that my brain reeled and
mist floated before my eyes.
..What do you think, Mr.. Lawler?' said
a voice at my elbow, and started back in
to the present.
ssThat he'll be past saving in an hour"
said, quietly.
Il fear So" said DR.. Barker, struggling
his shoulders.
Here unfolded my plans as I said bitter>
ly to myself, ''And heap Goals Of fire upon
his head Kate, take your lover, and God
forgive you"'
Excellent" exclaimed DR.. Baker, 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, 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 me the greatest
lesson in surgery ever had in my
life,"
And then was alone, thinking bitterly Of
what had done.
s'Kate, Kate darling"
Those words feebly uttered brought me to
myself, and was the cold, hard man once
more as l rose, and, taking the lamp, bent
down over my patient, whose eyes now
opened and he stared at me.
Where's Kate?" he asked; ssand where,
what" He stopped short. ''Hush l said,
coldly; "you have had an accident"
Accident? Oh, yes, I remember, was
going to catch the night train for Burnley
when that confounded,''
s'You must not talk" I 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
was going do wn, to see my darling, she's
very i'll"
.'Il!" exclaimed, starting.
EYES," he said, speaking with pain, and
l could not stop him now. Consumption,
they say; broken heart, think, some se0un-
drel,"
almost dropped the lamp as l caught his
hand and gripped it. and said in q hoarse,
choking voice, for was struggling to see
the full 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,
Christopher Anstey to John Brand, Green
mead, Burnley. Say Kate is not to fidget.
You know best.'''
Eyes, yes," l stanmerded my hands
trembling as took out q pencil and pre-
tending to write. "Miss Kate, then,'' fall
tered els
MY darling child!' sobbed the poor
fellow; land she's dying!"
He was too weak, too faint to heed me, as
with bitter groan turned away stunned
mad almost at my folly. For saw it all
now, poor, weak, pitiful, jealous fool that l
was. l had seen the girl worshipped,
petted, and caresssed by her own father,
and, without seeking or asking an explains
ton, had rushed away, leaving her to
think me q scoundrel--nay, worse,
When turned once more to the mattress
my patient had fallen asleep, and l stood
there thinking.
In a few minutes I had made my plans;
then, watch in hand, impatiently waited
for Dr. Bankers return.
He was back to his time, and in few
words had made my arrangements.
doctor said, .'you said you were IN
nv debt for this nights work"
sMy denr sir, I'll write you q check for
with pleasure" he replied.
"Pay me in, this" said, "see that these
patients whose name have written on this
slip of paper are attended to we'll for the
next TWO DAYS, and tell our friend here that
his message has been seen to"
He promised eagerly, and the next min
ute was in the street, running to the near
est cab stand.
was Just in time to catch the early morn
ing train, and half mad. half joyous, | sat
there till the train dropped me
at Burnley, where the fly slowly jolted me
over to the four>mile farm.
II was bright, clear, frosty morning,
and the sun glanced from the river upon
the trees, but l could think of only one
thing as kept urging the driver on, and
he must have thought me mad as l leaped
out and rushed into the well known par.
lor.
"Kate..'' cried, as half blind l ran to-
wards pale face lying back IN an easy
chair by the FIRE.
You scoundrel." was roared at the same
moment, and the sturdy farmer had pinned
me by the throat.
Eyes, all thar said; .'only hear me"
His hands dropped as Kate uttered low
cry and tainted.
.souick." l said; "water and some bran
dy."
With low growl my patient for govt
obeved me. and in . few moments Kate
opened her eyes to look full in mine as her
head rested on my arm.
"Have you come, to say good by she
said feebly; and there was such = look Of
reproach in that poor worn face that could
only answer in whisper:
mo, no, to ask you toforgive me forgive
me for my cruel weakness, for l must have
been mad"
A deep groan made me turn my head. TO
see that the farmers head was down upon
his arms, and his broad shoulders were
hAavin0