The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-05-06

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started to visit his sister With ~ Aiie' u
hved (his mother was deadl M i,e
ie'y was not allayed on hearing that he
lau not been home all night, and be-
came seriously alarmed. He had never
stayed out before since he had known
IN me- ana we did not know what to thing
Even While was trying to compose NV.
sell and still the fears that remorselessIv
| tugged at my heart, a MESSENGER CANA
with letter for his sister. All T saw
| was "St. Luke's Hospital'' in the unner
| lett hand corner of the envelope. When
l became suddenly calm and still.
I les, he was then injured, diving ner-
maps; | did not inquire. Sophie T
crled, You must come now. this min
ute; Oh, my darling, what have Won done
what have you done?''
sophie dear motherly Sophie-she
was four years the junior of FelixLtook
me into her arms and tried to comfort
me. '-. i'117T =
You cannot go out in this condition. -
she said, compose yourself: matters
may not be so bad as you think.''
But how could / be calm when T
thought OF him suffering, ill, and it all
my fault? l do not know how we
reached the hospital, and have only a
1alnt recollection of being helped in and
out OF carriage and waiting in dark
ened reception room, whose quietness was
omlnous, to me an eternal length of time
before we We're ushered into a dimly-
lighted little room at the ton of the
building. 1.Irtf1I.- :. =,
My heart stood still at the threshold.
There, on cot bed, the only article of
furniture in that room besides table
covered with bottles and lint and two
chalrs, lay seemingly inanimate form,
whose head. though swathed in band
ages, | recognized as belonging to my
pride.S my love-
The gentleman who conducted me to
the roo,m-the u, doctor, | supposed-put
warning finger to his lips, and restrained
me as was about to rush forward and
throw myself on the bed. -. ..- =
60 Madam, said he kindly but firmly.
in an ominous whisper, .sthe least cx-
citement may cost him his life.'r' .,.,
L recovered my compesure as he of
Tered me a glass of water.as,'tJ .iE sss
fnez!' came in faint. broken whis-
per from the bed. ''f'' MY 3 s' .,''9''+
satt Yes.''aI said, in the calmest tone /
could muster, 81 am here,'' ;..~r
The doctor shand was again on nv arm.
tG,' LII you feel sure of yourself, D said
he, "and can control. all outward dis
play OF emotion, you can go to him; but
remember what / have said. p - r
| sat on a chair that the doctor placed
for me by the bedside and put my hand
within the one outside the coverlet,
which, oh joy! responded to my touch
with a slight.pressure.
- Did you have pleasant time last
evening?'' >:
Darling" I whispered, "don't.''
That he should think of such thing
at such a time! Sophie was bending
over the bed, tears in her eyes, her sweet,
low voice saying: TsCo,rage, Felix,
dear, and you will soon be well.''
l heartl her say to the doctor, as they
stool near the doors g. How did this
happene'' .f.s..sf
He replied in whisper, which did
not catch, aud then beckoned to me-
Madam" he said, politely, q it is
against the rules Of this institution for
visitors to remain with the patients be-
yond. an allotted time. but as this case is
rather an exceptional one, and as have
confidence in your power to cure rather
than to aggrayate our friend i'll, shall
allow you to return this evening at six
and remain with him till nine. - -91I
l thanked, him hurriedly-I did not
know how-and going back to Felix
whispered, " Goodbye, darling, am
going now, but he says | may come back
again this EVENING" s3'04E'
:. Inez.' he said, in clear, calm tones,
that struck a chill to my heart, so quiet
and resigned they We're, 90 | have a re-
quest to make; you will grantlit as per-
haps it may be my last
= Darling, do not talk now. Take it
for granted that I shall do whatever you
wish.'' yr
y. We were to be married. =. This
brokenly.. 4.osar) ,aE s5Iss i
q You will get well and we shall be
f'afgs31 5'siH i
g But suppose-suppose I do not re-
did not answer. but tightened
my hold on his hand, SO will you"-
another pause will you consent to
render my last hours happy by becoming
my wife now?" 9t @.sh
Ihesitated. Was this a sick mans
fancy that ought to be. humored, and
would he forget all about it if 1 said yes?
The doctor was at my elbow.
eff you care enough to marry him, |
you might as well do so now; you II have
to forego a grand wedding a smile,
half mocking, curled his lip; ''if he re-
cover, why, a disagreeable ceremony will
have been gotten over with; if be do not,
we'll, you will have the consolation of |
knowing you made all reparation in your
power" This was said severely.
How curious the doctor seemed. Was
he heartless or cynical? He appeared
angry with me- Did he think cared
Tor grand wedding?
Z. Felix" whispered, "yes."
.Now?''. For man wounded nigh /
unto death the animation he displayed
was wonderful. y This very evening?a
The doctor has his finger on the pa
tents pulse and gave me warning
ook. q He is getting feverish,' he said. |
Sophie looked at me searchingly- 'slt
..:,Le cow, hin, ~ bor avaS said