Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-11-16

L
pain, but something terrible, something
nanslsss to us. While we were debating
these questions in smothsred tones, the
cry came once again. This time in words
we understood /:
"'Help Oh God help =
"At this intelligible appeal to eur man.
hood, our superstitous weakness at once
disappeared. Seizing torch from our
smosIdering fire, we made our way hast
lily toward pile Of rocks few hundred
yards distant, whence the sound seemed
to have proceeded. Scrambling up the
height we came suddenly upon a strange
and mournful scene. Before us stood
small, wretched looking hut, evidently
constructed by hands unused to such
labor, unglazed, aud withouta chimney.
There was dim light within, and
through the open door we saw the body
of man apparently lifeless, lying prone
upon the earthen floor. Beside him, with
arms flying wildly over her head, knelt
woman, evidently the one whose cries
had alarmed US. 1t needed but glance
to assure us that some strange tragedy
had taken place, and without Il moments
hesitation we entered the hut.
1.-THE woman raised her eyes as we ap-
preached, but gave no further heed to US.
Apparently her great sorrow had driven
her distracted. She was young creature
hardly twenty, l should judge, and, do
spite the signs of hardship and sorrow
visible on her features, very beautiful.
Her form was light and even a;tenua:ed,
but in its shabby dress preserved traces
Of former refinement.
"Her companion, a young man Of
about her own age, attired in coarse
woodman's suit, had evidently succumb-
ed to hardship or disease, and WAS either
insensble or dead. His pinched and
ghastly countenance must have been
once very handsome, but now it looked
old and worn as that of man of 60. He
had apparently fallen in his present po,
sition, and the girl had been unable to
raise him.
my friend, the DOCTOR" continued the
worthy professor, "surely, uncouth and
cynical as he commonly appears, has as
kind heart as ever beat in mans
breast-no tiattery, my dear fellow, for
it must be confessed that you have faults
that more than eounterbalanco your one
good trait Well, gentlemen he bent
over the poor creature, and in a voice as
gentle as a woman's endeavored TO arouse
the girl from her lethargy.
"'Who are you p said he, and what
has happened p
"Ile is dead-dead = she muttered
hoarsely.
Perhaps it is not as bad as that he
rejoined. Tell us all about it. We are
friends, my DEAR and medical men, and
may be able to assist you.'
"'He died this morning, before my
very eyes, she moaned, died, oh, my
God Of starvation. And never knew
that he was depriving himself for my
sake. Oh, my husband ; why did you
not let me die with your And she
threw herself across the body, sObbing a,
il her poor heart would break. There
were tears in the DOCTORS eyes as he look
ed at me-" added the professor, with .
lremor in his voice, ''and the rascal has
always sworn that my own were not dry
That, however, is aside from the subject.
"Though we knew nothing Of these
Two poor children-for they were but
little more-we felt that we had CHANGED
upon a strange sad story OF love, pride
and suffering, such as is rarely told, even
in this unhappy world.
"The doctor stopped down ald felt at
the heart Of the PROSTATE man.
"'He is dead, he whispered, motioning
me to initiate his example.
"'Yes, dead l replied, after examin-
ing the corpse.
"How we made the truth known to the
poor wife | do rot remember. 1t would
seem that she had preserved some faint
remnant Of hope until our assurance de-
stroyed it utterly. With a low groan she
fell suddenly at our feet, insensible, AL
though ut loss as to what course to
pursue, we felt it no more than our duty
to remain in the hut for the night and on
the morning to make the best arrange
ments for the poor girls comfort that
were possible.
Fortunately the doctor had his med
ical case in his pocket. Administering a
powerful slesping portion to her, he plac-
ed her in happy unconsclousnsss OF the
events that were to follow. We then
proceeded to more careful examination
of the man.
"Wilhout vanity I can say that both
the doctor and myself have received some
few testimonials as to eur scientific
ability from the world. You will proba-
bly, believe that we are capable Of dscid-
lag upon very simple case Of death by
starvation ?" He paused and looked
gravey around. Every good, remembs
then, that assert upon my professional
reputation that the man was stone
dead"
YES" added the doctor, who had
hitherto remained silent, "the life must
have been extinct more than five hours
when we found him."
"Well," continued the professor, with
increasing gravity, having satisfied
ourselves upon this point, we covered the
corpse decently and sat down to wait for
morning. Though in no mood for con-
versation, the startling experience Of the
evening kept us both awake fer several
hours. But at length, completely over
come with wearinass and excitsment, /