The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-11-28


sensible, his head thrown back upon the
chair, his eyes hslf-closed, his stentorious
breathings audible in the corridor below.
The little German returned with the very
best medical aid in the vicinity, even that
of the eminent Dr. iiavershaw himself
All this fuss and confusion had aroused
Mr. Sbadracb, who followed them up the
stairs and protruded his long, hairy chin in
the doorway. t. t..sf.Hs.. .n ..
Tt is, perhaps, best that you should know,
madam, said the surgeon to little Miss Tur-
pin. that It'll doubtful case. Your hus-
band is in very critical condition. Ifthis
worthy man will assist me we will get him
to bed. Our only hope will be powerful
sedative, to be given at once 1oI. .
The worthy man alluded to was Mr. Shad.
rach, whose eyes almost left their sockets
when he found the doctsr preparing to put
his young lodger in Miss Turpin's bed
'Why-why,' he gasped, looking at Miss
Turpin, this won't do, will it tT..st .....
Miss Turpin bowed her head. She could
not speak, but itseemed to her that her heart
made all the noise that was necessary. It's
convulsive throbs moved the shawl she had
thrown over her shoulders. ..... ..... ...
Don't chatter here,' said the doctor,
thinking Mr.. Shadrach was addressing him.
Just do what bid you, and the more
quietly the better ,... ......,....,.'.
Half an hour later Miss Turpin was alone
again, save for the body of the doctor that
lay upon the bed. He was helpless there,
perhaps dying, his face was strange and
distorted, his eyes half closed. A confused,
unintelligent murmur flowed from her lips,
his hands clenched and unclenched at
times groan seemed wrung from his vtals.
Miss Turpin's features were pale and hag-
gard, her eyes streaming with tears. Yet,
in the midst of an anguish that partook of
despair, with throes of pain and terror un-
speaksble, there was born in her a solemn
and almost sinister joy, the first ever given
to that sterile soul. f....l. '.. ...t
When the doctor came in the evening he
thought he had never seen so patient and
noble face; there was something in it that
went to his heart.
BE comforted.' he said, let us rely upon
the youth and strong physique of your hus
band.'
The incoherent mutterings Of his patient
attracted the doctors attention. Sharp and
strong sentences fell upon his ear, that ex-
cited his professional curiosity. When he
heard from Miss'Turpin of the enthusiasm
and zeal of the young student, as much as
she dared tell him of his defeated aspra.
tions aud hopes, the good doctors eyes
kiudled with sympathy. ..#.l
Let him only get well,' he said, 'and We
will sweep these lions out of his path.
Miss Turpin smiled through her tears.
He will get well, thanks to you,' sh,
said. ... ... ... ..,.t.
"And to you," he added, looking arount
the room with APPROPRIATION. 1t had beer
suddenly metamorphosed into the model o
a chamber for the sick. The open fire
with its cheerful blaze and ventilstint
draught; the subdued light; the white snt
warm drapery Of the bed; her own littl
couch near by; pretty, shadowy picture
upon the walls tinted by her own hand
IAN eloquent silence reigning over all.
at is lucky for yonder lad." thought tn
doctor, "that in all this big, wretche'
bsrrack the one little snuggery is his own.
| And so the days went by, each one freight
ed with hope and fear. There came one q
last upon which rested the life or death q
the young student. ..,..
| ''Some time this evening"" said the docto
to Miss Turpin, che will regain conscious
ness be sure that you do not leave hi
bedside. l would not for the world, q
that critical moment, that a strange fac
should meet his own"
Miss Turpin turned pale, and stretche
out her hands with gesture of entreat.
Then she slipped from her chair to hi
knees, and from thence to the floor. No
had come the supreme moment of tortur
Now her labor, her joy, her life, was done
A strange face! What face could
stranger than her ownH
"Tut, child" said the doctor. 81 thougl
you had more courage. There is every hol
!. for him. Can't YOU bear joy as you ha,
/, sorrow? only want that he shall first 81
the face of his wife, the dearest to him
i, the world"
He put down his hands to her. but st
she hid her face from his. Her whole fran
trembled. She wished at that moment,
happy seemed her fate, that she could
!, there and then.
r "Oh, DOCTOR" said she, lifting at last h
eyes to his, chow can~I tell you? how can
make you know? lam not his wife!"
2 The doctor drew back coldly, but as h
frank, earnest eyes caught his own, he cou
a not resist the innocent pleading there. S
a might be poor Magdalene even, but he h
!, never seen SO childlike and yet womanly
" creature.
i 1--WE must think of nothing now but Q
=. patient" he said, gently; "your face is
4 least familiar and dear to him."
"Alas no." she said: sit is strange,
,r most unknown. 1t is far better should
ID away"
Then she told the doctor all, And as
Ia went on to confess how she had dared shell
n this poor neighbor of hers, without a r
as to cover him, without money, without friel
ID sick unto death, helpless and alone-h
ia she had dared at any risk to shelter him
d, to nurse him back to life-the good surgeC
ia eyes blinked under his shaggy brows.
no put his heavy hand in benedction NJ
her bowed head
nd Thou good little Samaritan he said
re And two big, hollow, handsome eyes u
n the white bed in the corner also filled v
he tears. He was 80 weak. this poor yo
ad Blake, that he could scarcely help sobt
it outright at SO touching story.
'as "Why-why," he fsltered to himself,
little Miss Turpin's room o, thou IN,