St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-05-08

Les, he was tueu lHJuIeu, uFlHS per-
haps; did not inquire. "Sophie,''
cried, "You must come now, this min
ute; oh, my darling, what have you done,
what have you done?''
Sophie, dear motherly Sophie-she
was four years the junior of Felix-took
me into her arms and tried to comfort
me.
"You cannot 90 out in this condition."
she said, compose yourself; matters
may not be so bad as you Think
But how could l be calm when l
thought of him suffering, i'll, and it all
my fault? l do not know how we
reached the hospital, and have only a
faint recollection Of being helped in and
out of a carriage and waiting in dark
ened reception room, whose qllietness was
ominous, to me an eternal length of time
before we were ushered into dimly-
lighted little room at the top of the
building.
My heart stood still at the threshold.
There, on a cot bed, the only article of
furniture in that room besides table
covered with bottles and lint and two
chairs, lay seemingly inanimate form,
whose head, though swathed in band
ages, l recognized as belonging to my
pride, my love.
The gentleman who conducted me to
the room-the doctor, | supposed-put a
warning finger to his lips, and restrained
me as l was about to rush forward and
throw myself on the bed.
Madam said he kindly but firmly,
in an ominous whisper, "the least ex-
element may cost him his life.'
l recovered my composure as he Of
fered me glass of water.
"Inez!' came in faint, broken whis-
per from the bed.
YES 1 said, in the calmest tone
could muster, " [ am here
The doctor hand was again on my arm.
"If you feel sure of YOURSELF said
he, "and can control all outward dis
play of emotion, you can go to him; but
remember what l have said.''
| sat on 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 slight pressure.
Did you have pleasant time last
evening?'
Darling" whispered, " don't"
That he should think of such thing
at such time! Sophie was bending
over the bed, tears in her eyes, her sweet,
low voice saying: Courage, Felix,
dear, and you will soon be we'll"
l heard her say to the doctor, as they
stood near the doors q How did this
happen?'
He replied in a whisper, which l did
not catch, aud then beckoned to me.
MADAM" he said, politely, 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 l have
confidence in your power to cure rather
than to aggravate our friend i'll, Ishall
allow you to return this evening at six
and remain with him till nine.''
/ thanked him hurriedly-1 did not
know how-and going back to Felix
whispered, Goodbye, darling, l am
going now, but he says | may come back
again this evening"
q Inez," he said, in clear, calm tones,
that struck chill to my heart, so quiet
and resigned they were, g have re-
quest to make; you will grant it, as per-
haps it may be my last.
6 Darling, do not talk now. Take it
for granted that | shall do whatever you
wish"
ave were to be married. This
brokenly.
"You will get well and we shall be
married.
But suppose-suppose I do not re-
cover,' l did not answer, but frightened
my hold on his hand, "will you''-
another pause" will you consent to
render my last hours happy by becoming
my wife now?"
I hesitated. Was this sick mans
fancy that ought to be humored, and
would he forget all about it if said yes9
The doctor was at my elbow.
elf you care enough to marry him,
you might as well do so now; you'll II have
to forego a grand wedding smile,
half hooking, curled his lip; if he re-
cover, why, disagreeable ceremony will
have been gotten over with; if he do not,
well, you will have the consolation Of
knowing you made all PREPARATION 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
for grand wedding?
Felix l whispered, Eyes"
"Now?' For man wounded nigh
unto death the animation he displayed
was wonderful. This very EVENING"
The doctor has his finger on the pa
TENTS pulse and gave me a warning
look. "He is getting feverish," he said.
Sophie looked at me searchingly. "It
might save him." her eyes said.
Il will manage everything the doc
tor added. "When you return this even
ing you will find the minister here, and
the ring
Felix interrupted: "My mothers ring2
Sophie has it,.
She nodded.
"It is settled then?'' the doctor con-
cluded.
l said, eyes,
The doctor conducted us down stairs,
even to the entrance gate, bareheaded as
he was.
We did not speak word on our way
home. Sophie only held my hand.
After our hurried meal (who could eat?)
| wrote to my mother and father-they
were out of town-apprising them Of
what had occurred and of what was