The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-01-29

might. A little crowd of men looked on |
idly and despairingly.
s;Jim, run into the barn and get two or
three empty sacks ana rope. Quick"
ssYes, SIR
Bv drawing a sack over each animals head
and neck, thus blindfolding it; by passing
rope around the fore legs and setting strong
arms to haul, and by little organiza ion of
brave, but until then ill-applied efforts,
rescue was effected. All the horses were
saved except one poor brute, smothered by
the smoke
Farmer joyce came up, with grimy hand
extended in honest gratitude.
THANK you kindly, sir. dent mind for
the ricks and the buildings-they ara all in
sured-but it went to my heart to hear them
poor brutes scream"
Mat gave his left hand-the right was tied
up in handkerchief The old rector joined
them, Miss Be1lue leaning on his arm.
1.-THE danger is over now, Joyce, think.
Mat, come across with me-"
Mat glanced at the averted face OF the young
lady, and misconstrued it. She was ashamed,
in truth, TO meet his eye. The contrast be-
tween his GOODNESS and courage and her phys
ical cowardice humbled her. She had come
down from that pedestal of propriety from
which she had presumed to judge him so
harshly, but he did not suspect 1t.
Il have burnt my hand and arm slightly
Just my lucki' said Mat. Il must hurry
home at once to dress them"
He took off his hat as he spoke; awkward
~ enough with his left hand; and turned
away.
lie is a fine fellow. Agnes, that lover of
yours" said the doctor, but he is rather
abrupt tonight. What ails him?''
"Never mind. papa; never mind"
There was kind of wall in Miss Bellue's
voice.
sagely; "then my attitude must be one of
dIgnified neutrality-my policy, noninter-
vention." Then he laughed quietly 70 him.
self at the conceit.
Mat was dressing his burns IN the surgery
when the outer door opened and his father
entered.
Halo, dad? Who called YOU up? twas
nv turn tonight"
1t should be explained that young
Mat Curtis and 1.-THE old doctor were
partners.
THE old doctor made no reply. He sat
down in a low chair and began TO fan him.
self with broad straw hat. Mat looked up
in surprise, saw he was CHASTITY pale; that
his eyes had look of horror in them; that
his whole appearance was that of man who
had sustained a terrible fright
Mat touched his arm gently:
what is it, father?'
Doctor Curtis lips moved twice before
any sound issued; then ne uttered but one
word:
"Cbolera,''
Upon Mats face there came faint reflec-
ton of his fathers fear. The scourge had
been raging with frightful violence in dis
tant parts of England. They talked of it of
ten, dreading its approach, trusting it might
pass by this pure, healthful village.
No; the next day three cases were report
ed and one death. The rival practitioner,
Mr. Bennett, man of good private means,
| fled with his wife and family Mat and the
''old doctor were worked almost TO death.
| No need of bar-parlor discussions or APP
preaching steeple-chases, or poaching ARRAYS
now to quiet the mad young blood.
Mat went from house to house with grave
face and a cheerful, kindly, hopeful word
| for every DOOR, terrified wretch who shud-
dered at his own fears.
Then his father was stricken-the "old
| doctor.''
| Poor s.old DOCTOR" When the evil he had
dreaded really came to him, and seized upon
him, he grew brave and strong.
Nonsense, lad!' he said when Mat tried
to speak encouraging words from sinking
heart. II have no stamina; l could not ex-
pect TO live much longer in the ordinary
! course OF nature. Don't blink the truth,
boy. I shall be glad to die in the harness"
Miss Bellue watched the funeral process
| sion from the same upper window which she
had once before put to similar use.
| Very contrite was Miss Bellue in these
days A horrible dread had taken posses
sion of her with the first report of cholera
| in the village. Sh9 fought against it; she
hated herself for it; she tried to drag herself
to the beds of the sick poor; but trembling
limbs refused to carry her. 1t was constitu-
tional physical cowardice; and every Cos
slipping tale of Mats calm heroism increased
her reimbursement and her love and admi-
ration for that unconscious gentleman.
His fathers death gave him double work,
but he did not spare himself. He snatched
food, rest and sleep, when, where and how
he could, until the epidemic died out al
most; then, as the last case was in a fair way
to recover, he sickened.
'tMy luck has changed" said Mat, with q
smile. Il CAD be spared now, the work Ii
done"
Miss Bellue heard the news the came hour
A housemaid to whom she had done some
little kindness ran off to the rectory to tel
her. Miss Bellue gave an order or two, and
went straight to her fathers study.
Papa, Mat is stricken now
.'Bless my soul,'' said the rector. in great
excitement Poor lad poor lad,'
Il have told Jenkins to put the horses to
the brougham, and the housekeeper to gel
the green bedroom ready"
.'Eh?" And the old gentleman looked
And you must fetch Mass' exclaimed
Miss Bellue calmly.
''But-but-"
s'He shall not be left to the nursing o
those ignorant servants, sne INSISTED IeSO
lutely. He shall be brought here or shall
assuredly go to him."
The rector had yielded to her all her life
He shook his head in sore perplexity.
'And you are not afraid, desr?"
A peculiar smile lighted her pale, beauti
full countenance.
mot now"
A similar question was almost the frs
one put by Mat in a convalescent state.
"Were you not afraid, darling?"
Perfect love casteth out fear" she re
joined, softly.
PROFLIGArE BEECHER.