The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-05-08


was s.St. Luke's Hospital in the upper
left hand corner of the envelope, when
became suddenly calm and still.
\ Yes, he was then injured, dying 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 go out in this condition, :"
she said, compose yourself; matters
may not be so bad rs You think
But how could l be calm when l
thought of him suffering, i'll, and it all
nv fault? l do not know how we
reached the hospital, and have,o only q
faint recollection of being helped in and
out Of carriage and waiting in dark
ened reception room, whose quietness was
ominous, to me an eternal length of time
before we were ushered into a dimly-
lighted little room at the top of the
building.
NV 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
chairs. lay seemingly inanimate form,
whose head, though swathed in band
ages, recognized as belonging to my
pride, my love.
The gentleman who conducted me to
the room-the doctor, l 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.''
recovered my composure as he Of
fered me glass of water.
"Inezr came in faint, broken whis-
per from the bed.
"Yes," 1 said, in the calmest tone /
could muster, Z" am here
| The doctor hand was again on my arm.
"H you feel sure of yourself" said
he, "and can control all outward dis
play of emotion, you can go to him; but
remember what have said. !"
l 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 q slight pressure.
Ibid you have pleasant time last
eveningP' M
Darling" / 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: /" Courage, Felix,
dear, and you will soon be well.''
l heard her say to the doctor, as they
stood near the doors :. How did this
happenP"
| He replied in whisper, which did
not catch, aud then beckoned to me.
Madam he said, politely, " it is
against the rules of this institution fol
visitors to remain with the patients be.
yond an allotted time, hut as this case Is
rather an exceptional one, and as have
confidence in your power to cure rather
than to aggravate our friends i'll, Ishall
allow you to return this evening at six
and remain with him till nine"
/ thanked him hurriedly-I did not
know how-and going back to Felix
whispered, /" Goodbye, darling, / am
going now, but he ssysI may come back
again this evening.
Inez," he said, in clear, calm tones,
that struck chill to my heart, SO quiet
and resigned they were, q have re-
quest to make; you will grant it, as per-
haps it may be my last"
I" Darling, do not talk now. Take il
for granted that shall do whatever you
wish"
1--WE were to be married. This
brokenly.
"You viii get well and we shall be
married"
" But suppose-suppose do not re-
cover" / did not answer, but frightened
my hold on his hand, g will YOU
another pause will you consent to
render my last hours happy by becoming
my wife nowp"
Ihesitated. Was this sick mans
fancy that ought to be humored, and
would he forget all about it if l said yes?
The doctor was at my elbow.
If you care enough to marry him,
you might as well do SO now; you II have
to forego a grand wedding,n smile,
half mocking, curled his lip; eff he re.
cover, why, a tlisagreeable ceremony viii
udSc uccu kOttcu OtCk WILL IL uC uO nOt1
well, you viii have the consolation Of
knowing you made all PREPARATION in your
power.n This was said severely. II
How curious the doctor seemed. Was
he heartless or cynical? He appeared
angry with me. Did he think | cared
for a grand wedding?
Felix" whispered, "yes."
"N0w?n For q man wounded nigh
unto death the animation he displayed
was wonderful. "This very eveningP'
The doctor has his finger on the pa.
tents pulse and gave me warning
look. sHe is getting feverish," he said.
Sophie looked at me searchingly. "Ii
might save him." her eyes said.
AZ will manage everything" the doc
tor added. "When you return this even.
ing you viii find the minister here, and
the ring"
Felix interrupted: my mother ring!
| Sophie has IL. ~