The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-07-17
THE LAWYERS CLERK.


sunken cheeks, and contracted chest t.,
plainly sheeAd that le leYponths woulu
find him in his grave. R aspect bore
so strongly the impress 0f this sad truth.
that everyone seemed to feel it, and to
treat him with consideration in conse-
queuce. Even a rosy-faced lady, who
got in glowing with eXuberant health
and spirits, and cast a glance OF consti-
lutional lmpatlence at the closed VIM
dows, foreDore to ask to have one
opened as his hollow cough struck on
her ears, and Sat watching him with
moistened eyes. Perhaps he reminded
her of some loved friend who might be
in similar sad plight.
He lett the omnibus, taking with him
bundle tied with red tape, and with his
handkerchief held to his mouth he
walked slowly down narrow street,
and admitted himself with latch key
INTO one oI the nearest houses. He went
up stairs, stopping for breath at every
landing, up-up to the attic story, the
back room OF which he entered. Here,
at least, some signs were visible that
there was one kinu neart in the world
that watched over his comforts. The air
was pleasantly warmed by a cheerful
fire, the tea-tray was ready, the kettle
was sending it's jet OF steam into the
room, and a pale young girl was just
completing her task Ot pasJing paper
over every crevice OF the window.
You are home earlier than usual,
sir" she said, faint blush stealing
over her cheek, as though she were
ashamed OF being detected IN her occu-
patton.
Yes, am" he replied; "my cough
was 80 troublesome tnat l came h, me-
in an omnibus. How very kind you are
to me, Lucy! How shall ever be able
10 repay your
"On, pray don't mention that, sir. It's
but little, Pm lsfre, that l can do. But
DON'T you think you ought to see a doc
tor? 1oar cough is 30 bad; Pm
sure it gets worse and worse; and then
YOU are SO thin and pale, and weak, and
YOU scarcely eat anything at all. Won't
the next time he calls to see nay little
brotherV
at would be OF no use, Lucy" he said,
shaking his head, and smiling sadly.
"All the doctors in London could not
cure me. l am i'll consumption, l
know. My father and mother both died
of it, ana they were cousins, 30 have
no chance OF escaping"
"Then why do you go on working so
hard?' she asked, as she wiped from her
cheeks the tears tnat began to stream
down them; "Why don't you rest a
EittleW
II must work to pay for my coffin"
he replied; "there is nobody to do tnat
for me, YOU know. Beside, the time will
come when can neither work nor die,
40 must work while | can, to provide
for my wants at that time; and the
longer | keep about the shorter will be
the period OF utter helplessness. Don't
YOU see, now, thar it is best tor me to
keep on WorkingW
Lucy did not answer, for her sobs were
choking her. Alter vain struggle of a
lew minutes, she fell on her knees, and
buried her lace in the bed TO drown the
anguish which sue could not control.
"rhere is nothing to weep for, my good
yirl," he said, mournIully; "there is no
one in the world to grieve for my death,
and lite has but few attractions tor me.
[ look toward the grave as q place OF
rest"
III know that you have no one that
you'd regret leaving, sir," she said, rls-
ing from her knees, and by strong ef-
tort suppressing her tears; ''you have
no parents, no brothers, no sisters; but
still it seems sucn dreadful thing for
one SO young as you are TO have no pros
pect but dying"
"Better so, Lucy, than to have few
more wears Of deluslye health, and to
marry, and leave, perhaps, half dozen
innocent creatures, doomed to die, like
myself, before their time"
"Ou yes-of course, sir, it is better
than that" she SAID, in low, hurried
tone; "Pve made your tea, SIT; shall
pour 1t outW
"rhank you, my dear-you are very
kind"
"Will you try little Of this nice toast,
air? and-anu-" there was evidently
somethlng in the background that she
felt ditfiIent at bringing out; land, if you
please, will you mind tasting little OF
this potted game? 1t was given to me by
a friend who is very clever in cooking,
and thought it might tempt you to eat
a little. nope you won't be offended al
nv boldness, sir"
"How could be off 1nded at SO much
kindness? On the contrary, l am very
much obliged to you. This is indeed
very NICE" he continued, tasting the
meat that she had spread upon the toast !;
"my mother used to make something
like this, and DON'T think | could have
enjoyed anything SO muoh."
She watched him with pleasure, and
waited ON him attentiyely during his
short repast. While she was removing
the tray ne drew toward MIN some pa
pers that lay on the other side Of the
table.
"Wny, what's thisl" he said In tone
OF surprise, as he examined loose halL
sheet.
"Oh, dearV' she exclaimed, chow
foolish l wasI Please, sir, don't look
at it,"
"But what is itw he persisted; sis
this your doing, Lucyi Have, you been
trying to learn engrossing handW
IL don't know what you call it, sir"
she said, hanging down her head; II
only tried to write your kind oSwritlng,
because thought If l could manage to
do it, you might let me help you some.
times whea your cnest acned with
STOPPING"
81 never knew any one so kind and
thoughtful as you are" he said, with a
deep sigh.
"But DO you think l shall be able TO do
that writing properly, with little more
trying?" she asked, eagerly.
"It is SO good now that should hardly
know it from my own"
"Then may try now? Oh! do, pray
| let me! just lean back comfortably il
your chair. Here, let me put pillow
behind your head. Now, with your fee,
near the fire, and the light screened