Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-08-18
A STRANGE OFFER.

astonishment, and turned to see who it
was that, like Poe's raven, had uttered
the terrible words.
"Will you buy my body, sir?"
The question was repeated the sec
ond time before had sufficiently re-
covered myselEbefore | was convinc-
ed that it was no ill.omened bird, but
one Of human semblance at least. Yet
the request was SO utterly unusual, SO
much at varian ;e with all preconceived
notions of barter and sale, that all |
could do was to push chair toward
the intruder and stand in silent won
derment.
In few moments the self-command
which | had learned during hospital
practice came to my aid, and | saw
that my visitor was woman-glrl, ra-
Their, for she could not have been more
than - or 20 at the utmost; and that
if it had not been for the extreme pal
lor of the face, pinchedup look about
the mouth, and tie sad, sunken eyes,
she who have possessed-far more than
is ordinarily the case--thc rare gift of
beauty.
The Pickering light of the fire flashed
upon the soft brown hair, giving it a
more golden glory, and, dissolving the
snowflakes that had lodged there, made
them glitter like liquid pearls. This
much, and that the dress and shawl
were Of the cheapest material, and but
poor defense against the bowling
storm and pitiless cold, and the strange
request darted with lightning rapidity
through my brain.
Draw nearer the fire." said. you
are numbed. Warm yourself, and"
al have no time-must not stay"
she answered, with sigh, though she
dropped heavily into chair, and
brushed away the snowdrops from her
face with her thin hands.
Without waiting for further remon-
STRANGE, | FASTENED to get some reviv-
ing medicine, Of which ] saw she stood
30 much in need, and with gentle force
held it to her lips.
I" cannot--l cannot !" she gasped,
half pushing it away.
You must" insisted. Remem-
her, i am a surgeon, that this is II pre-
scription-that your life may depend
on it,"
"Life o God how long and sad.
Will it save my life? Will it give me
strength p
That certainly is the object have
in urging you to take it. What else
should it be?"
Give it me"
And she swallowed il without MUIR
murl save enc of thankfupess.
I uhnoInI hnr nbair m ,,Anrnr a., tbo
fire, stirring the Goals to more bril-
liant glow, hoping that the potion
would quiet her excitement, wake the
chilled blood to Il warmer and swifter
flow, and that sleep would follow.
And, for moment | fancied | WAS
right. The little hands dropped nerv-
ously into her lap; the softIy-veiled
lids dropped over the deep blue eyes;
the head fell forward upon the breast.
But, alas 1T was only II momentary
delusion. In another instant she sprang
I'd her feet again, pressing her hands
To her temples, rs if to still their
throbbings, and looked wildly around.
ooh, Heaven !" she exclaimed. ."
here amid warmth and comfort--and-
and"
Convulsiyc sobs checked her further
uttcrancc.
'Sit down and tell me the reason of
your being here" | almost command
ed N placed her i'll the chair.
"Ah | remember all now Remem-
Der Is there no such word rs forget
fulness? Nea, | remember all. | came
here-to-tO-"
"Be calm. | understand that you
are in need, and came for assistance"
81 came" she replied, and looked
upon me with such utter despair, and
spoke SO calmly, that it made my
blood run cold, 81 came, doctor, to sell
you my body"
Was | talking to Il sane woman or II
maniac? the latter was certainly my
thought, but | could discern nothing
i'll the clear blue eyes OF the wander
ings of insanity.
Great heavens?" | exclaimed, LAYING
my fingers upon her pulse, with the
expectation Of finding it bounding
with race-horso activity, but on the
contrary, finding it M" calm than
my own. Great Heavens! you cannot
he in earncstl'
81 am i'll earnest-God alone knows
how much am III earnest, 1t was my
last resort. viii you buy it? Will you
give me some money for it?',
And she reached out her hand toward
me ~ Il miser would have done when he
heard the sound of jingling gold.
How can purchase it? You are yet
alive"
"But | will soon die, and then-then
you can claim it. For the love of
Heaven. give me Il little-just little
money! And the hitherto dry eyes
were Hooded with tears.
"Why do you wish to sell ii? You
cannot but understand that it is An I'M
heard-of proceeding. Oar profession
never purchase bodies" (how | shud-
dercd rs | ga2ed into her face, while |
was forcing myself calmly to utter
these Words "before death, no matter
what we may do after
81 know i'll know it: hut | must
have money. and there are no other
means left to- me to getit. must have
christianity"
And she would have risen again, but
| resolutely held her down.
For what purpose do You wish it?'
ITO purchase food, fire, medicine"
"For YOURSELF
"Ah, no. Had that been the case, |
would never have come hither. Iwould
have laid down in the gutter and died.
God knows how willingly. But tell me-"
she continued almost iiercely, will
YOU give me some money! must have
it, must have itl'
III not for yourself i'll the name of
Heaven, for whom have you made such
q terrible sacriice2 Is it one that is
very near and dear to you?"
ut is--is-my little sister"
The words dropped from her tongue
as they might have done from that of
an angel, and her face wore holy
light as if she had already been star
crowned.
Dying. dying, and l sitting idly
here"
why did you not tell me of this be
fore?"
Because | have begged so long in
vain. lhad no money to pay Doctor,
and who would go forth on night like
this without itf"
MY blood boiled so that | could not
answer Could there be such men?
Alas! reason told me that her words
were but too true. Without delay,
gathered such things as fancied might
be of service, wrapped the delicate form
in a heavy clook, and with few whis-