The Republican journal., 1877-04-19

question 10 tSk Oh YOU.
DR.. Prey sat down uncomiortablV. En-
inent specialist as he was, and used tt
dealing out life and death, ''practicing
among the wealthest classes (ride card)
he could not feel at ease with this woman
whose clothes and house he had decided
could scarcely be called genteel. ''She
does not consider f. NJ. Prey a gentle
man " he clustered inWardly, struggling
to act us though he stood on the same
level with her.
"a question. ell? ? Really, now, my deal
The wise patient leaves all details to his
physician. You are eXhausting nervous
power
'"Nou have not given my disease a name
t. me"
You assuredly must have guessed it, =
roughly
Mrs. Dantord looked quickly to the
door, into the fire. as though in search OF
something. She did not speak for Il mo-
ment. "Canccr?"
He nodded.
"lncurable n
He hesituttd. The fire cracked, the
ashes fell ON the fender 4 little stir in
the next room was heard in the silence.
"Aamma :" cried Nelly.
at is unusual fora patient to insist upon
such questions. Meas,lrably you take the
case IN your own hands"
Sheraised her hand with aquick gesture.
'll YOU will have it, then, see no prob
ability Of cure. The ease has peculiar
features which | have met With in no
other All that can be done is to put
yourself i'll my hands. can alleviate
your sntlerings, My large experience, :"
etc, etc.
He talked on until he observed that she
did not hear him. Her eyes We're fixed
on the closed door behind which was her
baby. When she spoke she did not look
at him. "lloW long will it he :"
about four months, probably. Ger
tanIy not more than that" He began to
draw on his gloves briskly. There was
no demand for sympathy, the woman took
it 50 coolly.
"One moment have something more
to ask" She had risen, and stood with
her hands clasped over her head
The doctors eye swept over her She s
had remarkable beauty in her day but
her day is over" he thought
'.patents With this disease often !
have heard that it was loathsome, horri-
Bile beyond words Shall /" she stopped,
swallowing once or twice.
Even in the mans vulgar face shone
Il sudden gleam of pity. But he was
ashamed of it, 1T is usually the ease
with patients in this disorder | see no
reason to hope that You will escape, Mrs.
Dantord.'
n thought SO | thought So" sharply.
"Well, there is nothing to be done about
it. Will You write me a general presclip-
ton to alleviate pain, you said z"
~ iou do not wish NE to attend You reg
ulally, then ~ with 4 surprised glance
II may he removed out Of yonr reach, ="
she said, eVasiEely.
When he had written the prescription
and torn the leaf from his book, SHE hand
cd him his fee, waited until he had left the
house. and then went in to her baby.
When otl Sally came in presently, She
heard Nelly laughing and talking for an
houl or more, and wondered that her
mother made no sound in reply. Late
in the afternoon Il telegram came from
Dantord "WiI be detained at office
until 10 Vi. Shall keep Charley until
| 4u Uilt,
LizzN read il, and laid it down. THAT
is hrtter,' She said. ''l1 | saw them
again. could moi CO. For she had
quite made up her mind now what She
would do. Her husband her children.
should not see her horrible end.
II, Il, Ill,
in perfect order. But she went from place
to place With Nelly in her arms. 1t was
singular that ii was only ot their practical
loss when She was gone that she thought.
'>IalN can cook: but who will keep the
house. or make the clothes in the spring /.
Charley Will have nobody tp tell his stories
about school to When he comes home. And
Richard But She forced that back
She sAl down and rocked the child. look
ING hv turns at its little feet, its hands,
pushing back its hair. She thought Of her
at eNcrl age a school girl grown up.
''Shc Will have no another nOmoIhcr."
She had been a deNout, prayertul woman,
but she could not pray now. 1t seemed
to her rs if God did not know what lie
was doing when lie did this thing.
She made hcrselfupa bundle Of clothes.
fastened ii in a shaWl-strup. and laid Il
letter she had written on her husbands
pillow. The evening had fallen cold and
drizzlng. She gave Nelly her supper,
lmdrcssrG and rocked her to sleep; then
she laid her in her crib. Only Yesterday
she had been busy making Il cover for the
crib and CharleN's bed. 1t was all over
va Il t.,,.
them again never again.
1t was time now. She put on her hat
and cloak, took up her bundle. There
was Il blOttcd exercise which Charley had
left half finished that morning. she took
that with her, and the stocking which
Nelly had just worn, still warm, the
creaseS in it which the little foot had
made. Then she went 10 her husbands
old chair, where he had sat every evening
for Years, and knelt down by it. Sally, in
the kitchen, thought she heard u call,
'Richard. Richard.' but all was still.
As Lizzy knelt there she did not pray.
She meant to bid good-b to her husband,
but she could not. Would he ever forget
her Would he marry again Those
were her thoughts There had been a
certain Annie Ward, years ago, Of whom
Danford had made a friend.
Elizabeth sprang to her feet and walked
straight to the glass. Il hope he will be
happy. He ought to marry, for the chill
dren's sake She said over and over.
''But he will not remember me as loath-
some. Annie Wards face does not COM
pare with mine now
This new sharp pang gave her sudden
strength. She staid alone with her child
fora few moments, and then passed hast
lily out, stopping at the kitchen door. The
old black woman was busy over the fire,
singing Methodist hymn.
Coin to de depot, Miss Betty Got
on your wraps coming to the door.
Elizabeth put her hand on the skinny
fingers. "Take care of the children for
me, Sally"
"Sartin. You's not goin' fur y with
Il vague alarm.
But Elizabeth made no answer, and dis
appeared in the darkness.
The letter which Dantord found on his
return contained these words:
~ have an incurable disease. have
Int ~ 4 -