Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-06-04

endless labor and toll, bade him fly for the
best doctor in the neighborhaod; ran up
the stairs like deer. and found DR.. Blake
insensib le,' his head thrown back upon the
chair, his eyes half closed, his stertorous
breathings audible in the corridor below.
The little German returned with the
best medical aid in the vicinity, even that
of the eminent DR.. Havershaw himself.
All this fuss and confusion had aroused
Mr.. Shadrach, who followed them up the
stairs and protruded his long, hairy chin
in the doorway.
ut is, perhaps. best that you should
know, madam said the surgeon to little
Miss Turpin, shat it is doubtful case.
Your husband is in very critical condi-
ton. If this worthy man will assist me
we will get him to bed. Our only hope will
be powerful sedative, to be given at
once"
The worthy man alluded to was Mr..
Shadrach, whose eyes almost left their
sockets when he found the doctor prepar-
ing to put his young lodger in Miss Tnr-
PIN bed.
"Why-why, )" he gasped, looking at
Miss Turpin, s.this won't do, will it?'
Miss Turpin bowed her head. She could
not speak, but it seemed to her that her
heart made all the noise that was necessa-
ry. Its convulslve 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 I you, and the
more quietly the better"
Half an hour later Miss Turpin was
alone again, save for the body of the doc
tor that lay upon the bed. He was helpless
there, perhaps dying; his face was strange
and distorted. his eyes half closed. A con-
fused, unintelligent murmur flowed from
his lips, his hand clinched and unclinched;
at times groan seemed wrung from his
vitals.
Miss Turpin's features we're pale and
haggard. her eyes streaming with tears.
Yet, in the midst of an anguish that par
took of despair. with throes of, pain and
terror unspeakable. there was born to her
a solemn and almost sinister joy, the first
ever given to that sterile soul.
When the doctor came in the evening
he thought he had never seen so patient
and noble a face; there was something in
it that went to his heart.
s'Be comforted,' he said, ''let us rely
upon the youth and strong physique of
your husband"
The incoherent muttering of his patient
attracted the doctors attention. Sharp
and strong sentences fell upon his ear, that
excited his professional curiosity. When
he heard from Miss Turpin of the enthu-
siasm and zeal OF the young student, as
much as she dared tell him Of his defeated
aspirations and hopes, the good DOCTORS
eyes kindled with sympathy.
"Let him only get WE'LL" he said, ''and
we will sweep these lions out of his path"
Miss Turpin smiled through her tears.
she will get we'll, thanks to you," she
said.
"And toyou," he added, looking around
the room with appreciation. It had been
suddenly metamorphosed into the model
of chamber for the sick. The open fire,
with its cheerful blaze and ventilating
draft the subdued light the white and
warm drapery of the bed her own little
couch near by pretty sbadowy pictures
upon the walls, tinted by her own hands,
and eloquent silence reigning over all.
s.It is lucky for yonder lad," thought
the doctor, ssthat in all this big wretched
!: barrack the one little snuggerY is his
Own.'
/ And so the days went by, each one
freighted with hope and fear. There came
one at last upon which rested the life OF
death of the young student.
'sSome time this evening"" said the doc
tor to Miss Turpin, che will regain con
seriousness be sure that you do not leave
his bedside. I would not for the world, al
that critical moment, that strange fact
should meet his own"
| Miss Turpin turned pale, and stretched
out her hands with a gesture of entreaty
Then she slipped from her chair to. he
knees, and from thence to the floor. Nov
had come the supreme moment of torture
Now her labor, her joy, her life was done
A strange facet What face could b.
stranger than her own?
sTut, child,' said the doctor; 81 though
you had more courage. There is ever,
hope for him. Can't you bear joy as 20,
have sorrow? I only want that he shall
first see the face of his wife, the dearest t,
him in the world
He put down his hands to her, but still
she hid her face from his. Her Who'll
frame trembled. She wished that sh
could die there and then.
"Oh, DOCTOR said she, lifting at last he
eyes to his. "how can I tell you how Cal
I make you know? l am not his wife |!
The doctor drew back coldly; but as he
frank, earnest eyes caught his own, b
could not resist the innocent pleadin
there. She might be POOR Magdale
even, but he had never seen SO childlik
and yet womanly a creature.
, ''We must think of nothing now but GU
patient" he said. gently; ''your face is a
least dear and familiar to him.
"Alas! no." she said, tit is strange
, almost unknown. It is far better I shoul
go away
Then she told the doctor all. And 9
$ she went on to confess how she had dare
! shelter this poor neighbor of hers, withor
l a roof to cover him, without money. witt
out friends, sick unto death, helpless an
! alone-how she dared at any risk to sheltt
q him and to nurse him back to. life-tt
: good surgeons eyes blinked. under h
o shaggy brows. He put his heavy hands i
a benediction upon his browed head.
!. sThou good little Samaritan - he sal,