The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-07-06
potion for their latest ailment-how
could abe bear this2 " y

suhclent to atone for all deficiencies,
and make the world esteem it high hon.
or that she should be made his wife.
ooh, Frank, forgive mew she cried in
quick contrition-ior his hand had now
unclasped itself from hers. and he
sprang to his feet with look upon his
face of mortal agony.
he walked away in the mockery of the
June sunlight.
Five years later, and in one of the
fashionable hotels Of Paris lay child ill
unto death-a little fairy creature. of
perhaps three years of age, but whose
golden curls now clustered about face
white as the lace-trimmed pillows on
which it rested.
Over her bent her mother womsn
young and beautiful widow, won
drous rich, the world said, but who, in
this hour would gladly have poured out
her treasures to buy the priceless treas
ure of her darline's life, She had not
loved her husband, this same world de-
clared; but, be this, as it may. he had
made no moan into its listening ear, and
after two short years Of welded life,
when death, after q short, decisive
struggle, had claimed him, all that he
had WAS willed unreseryedly to the
woman who had filed alike his pride and
his heart.
If she had also made the latter suffer.
there was no codicil in his last generous
testament to that effect.
A light knock on the door aroused her.
She softly opened it.
'The young American physician to
whom madam was recommended is be.
low" announced an attendant.
"Show him up" she answered, andre
turned to her post. "Come in" she
called. softly, when second knock was
heard; and then, standing motionless,
she turned to look into the face of one
who, though stranger, was at least
countryman, but started back as though
confronted by ghost. "Fiankw she
murmured; is it you?"
His own amazement eQualled hers.
"Ah, ! comprehend" he said, the first
to regain his self-control. Il did not
recognize Miss Arden in Mrs. Geoferv,
and doubtless the French tongue so
garbled my own name as to render your
mistake an easy one. Pardon me will
withdraw atonce."
enlsa mo- s sa sss f 5s laying Savs
heard of your wonderful skill, which has
made your name famous even on this
side OF the water. Oh, Frank ,..be merci-
full! Save my child -my baby! She is
all, all that have"
"Where is your husband?"
In quick, curt tones he put the ques-
ton.
"Did you not know" she said. "He
has been dead three years."
"And your child Yes, I have
heard. It is the brain which is affec-
ed"
"She has been unconscious for twenty
four hours. The physicians here have
given herup Oh, Frank, do not tell me
she must die, if you would not break my
heart" and she clasped her hands
together in an agony of entrSaty.
"A scoInful, incredulous smile crept
about his lips-this woman spoke as if
she had heart; but his physicians in
stlnct conquered hesitation, and bend
ing over the little sufferer, with Careful,
tender skill he lifted the clustering rings
from the baby brow, and made brief
examination of the head. He looked
very grave as he lifted his own.
''There is but one chance for your
child's life, Mrs. Godfrey" he said then,
and only the physician spoke. ''There
must be an Immediate operation of
Os IL
from it is extremely doubtful; but there
is a chance. Otherwise there is none.
Will you conse t?"
"You will perform it?"
II will intrust it to no one else"
"she is in your hands. Do with her
as you viii"
sand if she dies?"
"Oh, Frank she is my child You will
not let her die"
Was it the remembrance of these
words which made DR.. Lawrence hest
tate, a few hours later, as, with two of
the most eminent surgeons in Paris, he
stood beside the little sufferer? If his
judgment should be at fault? But there
was no time to weigh the question.
Two hours after he stepped into the
darkened room. where one woman
awaited him.
sShe is sleeping. When she wakes
she will know you. think she will
live"
He had stopped some little distance
denness he could not divine she had
fallen on her knees before him, grasp
ing his hands, and covering them with
kisses and her tears.
"You must be calm for your child's
sake" he said, in voice all unmoved.
snow 20 to her. will return to watch
with you through the night"
But when morning dawlled his proph-
ecy had been fulfilled. Death had ia
ken away his grim shadow, and the
baby, waking, smiled into the beautiful
face above her and whispered:
"Mumma!"
Throughout Paris spread the news of
the marvellous operation: 1t was anoth-
er on the long list of triu:nphs accom-
plished by this young man, who had not
yet attained his thirty-ffth year-'Doc
tor Frank" baby Alice called him; and
as the old gulf grew and widened be-
became the greater friends.
Three weeks had elapsed, when he
said, one day:
"Little Alice is quite we'll now. My
visits will be no longer necessary"
II can never repay my debt, DR..
lawrence" answered Alice's mother.
''But here is my cheque. Fill it with
what sum you will. It shall be honored."
MADAM" he said, "it is I who am in
your debt"
And with quick motion he tore in
two the piece Of paper she had handed
him.
''See! you make mamma cry said the
baby. She always cries after you have
been here. Why does she do that, Doc
tor Frank? Kiss her-Please kiss her
and tell her you are sorry. You must
not make my pretty mamma cry"
"Good-by, little one! he answered,
casting no glance to the lovely face, pale
with its long anxious waiting.
"You havn't kissed mamma" pleaded
the baby voice. She says she was very
naughty to you once. Please forgive her,