Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-12-19

htitn iullbN& HtI intD tne slck-rNpnl.
The child was lying with his pallid cyelids
YEARLY closed; but when he heard Alice's
voice they opened wide, while faint flush
sprang to his face. Holding out his arms,
he exclaimed, in joyful tones:
SMOTHER mother! she's come--my angel
LADY,
SO he always called Alice.
After talking awhile to the boy, and read
ing and explaining some comforting passages
in the good Book 10 him and his care-worn
mother. Alice left, promising to return soon
again.
On their way homo Keith was unusually
silent, and stealing A look into his face,
Alice saw that the dark brows We're bent in
gloomy trown. suddenly he said;
Miss Alice, did you believe what you read
to that boy---about Jesus, and Heaven, and
all that?"
Alice looked up, with troubled wonder
in her limpid gray eyes.
believe it?' she echoed then hor voice
melted into sweet pathos, as she said earn
estly: Indeed do from my very heart"
\ quick thought seemed 10 enter her mind.
After moments hesitation, she said, grave
ly:
Mr.. Dorien, do moi you? is tina, why
your face IL 81 sad Al timesf"
You have guessed rightly" he replied,
in a gloomy tone.
Than 4 si.s.. ri his %, tpu b,, h..I
been thrown, when in college, into the init
mate companionship of a skeptic, and gradu-
ally, almost insensibly, had inhibited his
views, which his hong residence in Ger
many had served 10 strengthen.
There was a short silence when he had
finished; then Alice raised her plying eyes
to his face.
Mr.. Dorien," phc said, twill you pro-
mise 10 do a. askg viii you faithfully
and earnestly read this little Book--not in
a spirit OF skepticism, but with wish 10
find the truth Jesus always comes 10 those
that seek him
by this time they had reached her home,
and pressing the Bible from which she had
read IN the poor little cripple into his hand,
she left him, hut not before he had caught
the CLEAN Of tears in her sweet eyes.
That night Alice thought long and Sc
riously.
So that was the secret Of her friends I'M
happy moods How happy she would be if
through her means he should find the truth
l1eep down in her heart she knew that
she had come Ia care II good deal for Keith
Dorien; but she did not think for moment
that he felt towards her in any other way
than as pleasant companion. The next
time they met she looked questioningly into
his face, bnt Keith evaled her eyes. Time
passed. Alice seldom saw Keith now. He
was never AT the rectory when SHE was there
and She begtn 10 see that il was his wish 10
avoid herrand she sadly made up her mind
that her hopes Ind been vain, and TINT thro'
her wel-meant interference she had lost her
friend.
One morning., much 10 Alice's surprise,
she found her little school-room deserted
No happy boys md girls came to I'LL their
accustomed placs She soon learned the
reason. The fcver--that dreadful scourge
which, some years before, had almost de-
populated Glenham Mills--had again broken
out. Alice did not hesitate ~ TO her course.
She was soon dressed, and Notwithstanding
Janets fearful circumstances, sailed forth
10 do what she could 10 relieve the suffer
era.
On her way SHE mel Mr. Dorien coming
hastily towards her With both hands he
caught hers.
"Turn back, Mrs ALICE he exclaimed.
"You must not go into the village! The f.
yer has broken out! J"
al know il has, Mr. Dorien," She said.
"You know il, and ara going right into
the heart Of it! What Madness
Alice lifted her lovely, resolutc fare 10
his.
"Yes, | am going 10 do what little can 10
help. IL is not madness, but il would he
wickedness for me- to stay when duty ~
plainly calls me.
lilo sui barred htf WAY.
"You shall not g6!'
Alice looked straight nj him with tho frat
touch Of anger he had ever scen in her soft
eyes
"Remoye your hands she said. You
have no right 10 restrain me from doing what
know IL my duty"
With that he looscd her hands with an
involuntary look Of admiration but he only
sald, as he turned and walked on beside her:
VERY we'll II you take the fever, il will
not be my fault"
Weeks Of suffering and distress followed.
Every one that was able had fled from their
homes, and Gelnhsm Mills was deserted save
for the numbers Frustrated by the disease
and the few brave men and women who
daily risked their lives caring for the sick.
Among the latter were the rector and his
wife and sou, and Alice. All four cooper
ated together 10 do all that was In theirpow-
err, and ~ get the fever had laid its dred
hold upon none Of them. Alice fitted from
house to house, calling forth blessings where
ever her supy, cheering influence was felt
and though the brave girl little knew IL, her
work WAS bringing forth double fruit, for as
Keith Dorien witnessed her unseliish devo-
ton to duty, and heard her touching, heart
felt prayers by the bedside Of the sick and
the dying, the conviction slowly dawned
upon him that II must, indeed, BE- true and
living faith that inspired that frail FORM
And the more he pondered and read, (as
Alice had requested him, the little Book
marked by her own hand, the stronger that
conviction grew, until at last, though worn
and weary with bis difficult, selfimposcd Ia.
Dor, his face no longer bore lis usual look Of
gloomy unrest.
Alice had kept her secret we'll, and Keith,
feeling that he WAS unworthy 10 hope 10 win
such an angel among women, had never
dared 10 show 10 her the almost adoring love
which had fast entwined iissIf around his
heart. Thus avail thin as mist parted chem;
but II WIS SDon 10 be lifted
The fever had run H. course, and NJ The