The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-11-08
WHOLE NO. 1855.

then, rather shyly, "and | got you q
cigar case, if you don't mind"
Here she produced her offering
He took it from her hand, admiring
it and thanking her.
Il filled it with cigars. Bob got
them. They cost three pence each
is that too little to pay ? They were
the best | could get here"
Little Why, its ever so much
too much, my dear child. Why, you
can get cigar for a penny"
Yes, but not such as you like to
smoke"
He laughed, and said she ought
lot to spoil him.
Then she made him try one, say
ing it would be like old times adj
ding very piteously
IF you don't smoke you will new
er like to come and see me again."
Smoke, or not smoke, he an
swered gay'y, Il am coming every
day till really see you better; anu
tomorrow, as | don't think much OF
your present doctor, shall send
down a man in whom | have conf
dence. Now, | must be off; shall
come round early tomorrow and
kindly pressing her hand, he was
gone.
The next day Sarah received all
the comforts that an invalid could
desire and early appeared upon the
scene the noted and kindly Doctor
Foreman.
Well" asked Clarkson, as the
physician came down from the sick
room, what do you say?"
Say, my dear sir alas, | have
nothing to say that you would like
to hear. All we can do is to make
the end as gentle as possible, and |
don't think it can be far off"
Thank you" said Clarkson, "ior
coming so far" and there were tears
in his eyes.
He went to break the sad news to
Mrs. White, who, poor woman, quite
broke down, though, through her
tears aad sobs, she again and again
protested her utter disbelief in all
doctors.
While she was trying to calm her
self, Clarkson went to sit with Sa-
rah.
What did the doctor say about
me2"
He said you were Ill"
Did he say | was going to die
soon ? | want the truth, please; let
me have it."
There was something swelling in
Clarkson's throat.
He strove to speak, but vainly.
please tell me-" she entreated
Il want to know at once which way
it is"
Then Clarkson just managed TO
articulate, taking her hand in his
own:
Dear he does think that you are
in great danger"
Thank you; that means am go
ing to die ="
Then she was silent but her eyes
had in them a strange look, as ifthey
were trying 70 picture the land
whittier she was going.
At last she said, with a pressure
of his hand
Il don't mind much. | almost
think it's better as it is. You have
been always 30 good to me. | know
you didn't mean me TO care toe
much for you, and ], myself, didn't
seem to know how it was going till
you went away this summer and
then 1 knew-when | found every
thing so hateful Just because there
was no chance Of seeing you
knew | loved you too much"
Sarah" he said, much moved, Il
never thought OF that as possible
you will believe that, at least"
And, indeed, he spoke truly. Nc
shade Of anything warmer than
friendship had ever stained the pu-
rity of his kind feeling for the poor,
pretty child.
With the passion Of love he be-
lieved himself done for ever, and II
never so much as crossed his mind
that he would inspire it in another,
least OF all in such a one as Sarah
so young, so out Of the pale of all
the thoughts and associations OF
life.
That she could feel toward him
other than a sister toward an elder
brother had never crossed his mind.
Nor had even Mrs. White. a far
seeing woman IN her way, forseen
the slightest possibility of danger to
her daughters peace Of mind. She
was.only glad that Sarah should have
so kind a friend.
"a true gentleman" she used 10
say, "and just as much to De trusted
as bank of England note
How blind ! have been" be
thought, as be waited Tor Sarah 5
answer,
Yes, she said, after a little 81
lence. Il do know that you never
thought oft"
She spoke very gently and very
sadly, and tears were darkeAing her
eyes-the eyes that had once been
like streams, the wind and sunlight
surprised together.
He put his arms around her, and
very tenderly kissed her lips, that
even then, with death waiting so
near at hand. thrilled under that
first pressure OF his.
Heaven bless you, Sarah as my
child have loved you
Then they sat for some time with
out speaking, and all the things in
eident to the daily life ola house ike
No. 19, upper Poplar rOw, went on.
The dodgers at Mrs. Whites did not
trouble themselves because poor,
pretty, good little Sarah lay there
dying.
They scrubbed out their rooms ;
they called messages to each other
from floor TO floor; the potboy from
the Kings head tramped up stairs
to Mrs. Smith, who occupied the
third floor front. and announced his
long desired presence By a great
bang at the door and by a shriil cry
Of cans
preSen,lv Wrs Whi.e canpein and