The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-04-20

ing him, which used to make the over
worked little man feel himself fresh and
young again.
"What do you talk in this way for to-
night, Betty? Let us be happy, coming
home the first night There's no need
too look into the future to find misery. y
"No, there is no need. Maybe the
misery will never come. God has al
ways been so good to us y The little
joke seemed to have brought her by sud-
den reaction into her happy self again.
When she had gone to her room with
Nelly, Danford opened his desk to put
away the papers in his valise. He found
it in thorough order, all business docu-
ments belonging to household affairs
sorted and ticketed.
"The milk bill paid, and Mott Betty
has worked hard while was gone. Mrs.
Danford had some way of adding to
their income-leather-w or banner
painting, we forget which. Beside these
bills which she had paid there were two
or three rolls of smaller notes, labeled,
"For Charleys clothes for the winter,
"For Nellys."
Danford laughed. His wife was usu-
ally the most nnsystematic woman alive.
But he went to his room in high good
humor. She was standing by the crib,
opening the little white petticoats which
Nelly had taken off, and hanging them
up to air.
"You have provided for the children
all winter" he cried, holding out the
rolls of notes.
She turned quickly. "Oh, they will
not need it. L shall be here to earn
plenty more for them, and for you-I
shall be here, Richard" She took up
the sleeping child and walked about
with it, straining it to her breast. Dan
ford took it from her gently, and laid it
down. "How white and fat her feet
are !" he said, quietly. "Cover them
up warm, mother. Now come and sit
down. You've been working too hard,
my poor girl"
Danford took Charley with him into
town the next day. They were to come
out together in the evening Before
noon Mrs. Danford sent Sally (an old
black servant, who had been a slave and
her nurse in kentucky out on an errand
which would detain her for an hour or
two. Nelly was asleep in her crib. AS
lllt ClOCh Wub Ou Ullt blIOhC VI bDt
bell rang, and she admitted the man she
had met the night before. They were
closeted together for an hour then they
came into the little parlor. The man,
whose habitual manner to women savored
of familiarity, was grave and awkwardly
respectful; Mrs. Danford's face was
bloodless. He poured out glass of
water, and gave it to her.
You have overtaxed your strength
in keeping your secret, madam. In a
man we would call such reticence heroic;
but find it not uncommon with women.
L think they are prompted to it by-van-
ity," a disagreeable smile lurking on his
mouth.
She bowed courteously, but he knew
she had not heard word. "Be seated.
Wait one moment, doctor; 1 have a
question to ask of YOU"
DIR. Prey sat down uncomfortably.
Eminent specialist as he was, and used
to dealing out life and death, "practic-
ing among the wealthiest classes" (Uide
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 E. M. Prey gentleman !" he
clustered inwardly, struggling to act as
though he stood on the same level with
her.
GA question, ell? Really, now, my
dear madam, better ask no questions at
all. The wise patient leaves all details
to his physician. You are exhausting
nervous power"
"You have not given my disease a
name to me. )"
"You assuredly must have guessed it, "
roughly.
"Mrs. Danford looked quickly to the
door, into the fire, as though in search of
something, She did not speak for mo-
ment. "Cancer ?"
He nodded.
Incurable?"
He hesitated The fire cracked, the
ashes fell on the fender A little stir in
the next room was heard in the silence.
Mamma ~ cried Nelly.
9" 1t is unusual for patient to insist
upon such questions. Measurably you
| take the case in your own hands"
She raised her hand with quick gest-
ure.
eff you will have it, then, / see no
probability of cure. The case has pecul-
lar features which have met with in no
other. All that can be done is to put
yourself in my hands. 1 can alleviate
your sufferings. My large experience, "
etc, etc.
He talked on until he observed that
she did not hear him. Her eyes were
fixed on the closed door behind which
was her baby. When she spoke she did
not look at him. "How long will it be ?''
"About four months, probably. Ger
tainly not more than that" He began
to draw on his gloves briskly. There
was no demand for sympathy, the woman
took it 80 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
"Patients with this disease often I
have heard that it was loathsome, horri-
BILE beyond words. Shall u she
stopped, swallowing once or twice.
Even in the mans vulgar face shone n
sudden CLEAN of pity. But he was
4 oaborna1 &C - HIt 20 ,,o,,o11 - -