The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-02-21

by meaningless words, and not hu-
man beings like themselves, open to
reason and capable of distinguishing
real help from affected small talk.
How different were Barbara's min
istrations 1t was evident she had
grown to love the work she had be-
gun as a mental discipline, and to
have forgotten its painful features in
the joy of serving and aiding those
who suffered.
1t was well that DR.. Norton g
skill in surgery was SO great that
even his deep emotion could not
battle its success. The operation was
completed satisfactorily and when
everything that could remind the
poor girl of what she had passed
through was removed, and she was
aroused again to consciousness and
saw Barbara's gentle face bending
hopefully over her, she exclaimed:
20, dear, lady, | know'd it would
be just right if you was by be, and
now l feel as il l only need to thank
the Lord and get well again"
You are an admirable surgeon s
assistant" DR.. Norton said in a low
tone. You insure the success of
this work"
Again the warm red blush dyed
her pale cheeks, she dropped her
beautiful eyes, but her voice failed
her, she could not answer, or she felt
too much.
An hour later DIR. Norton, having
made the rounds of his new sphere
of action in company with his as
sistants, parted from them to see
how Kitty, the factory girl, was
progressing.
Miss Roy was still beside her, and
reported that her patient was doing
admirably.
"Have you a list OF directions for
the night, doctor?" Barbara asked,
as they moved a little aside from the
couch.
"What has she been taking as an
anodyne ?" Norton asked in re-
turn.
Barbara felt in her apron pocket,
and, after rummaging moment, she
handed him an envelope.
1T is inside that, on a card, l
think, she said, you will find it all
explained"
He opened the packet and saw his
own photograph, cut from some
medical journal. A very handsome
one it was, as one could see at q
glance. The instant the picture
passed out of her hand into that of
the original, Miss Barbara Roy saw
her mistake. She saw that the Sc
cret of her life was told, and but for
the strongest effort of will she had
ever made, she would have sunk
powerless at the surgeons feet. As
it was she uttered low, pitiful cry,
and clasped her hands hopelessly.
"Barbara-Miss Roy-my dear
cousin," cried Allan, quite beside
himself at the possibility before him,
as he drew her into the nearest al
cove and caught her hand in his,
pray tell me if lam frantic to think
Ito hope-that you care for my
picture or me; that my life devoted
to you could awaken one thought
for me in return. Oh, Barbara, il
you could know or could tell how
long, how tenderly, hopelessly, |
have loved you-"
"And yet only one year ago to-day
you sent me that picture OF myself,
at the same time directing me to 60
to dying girl and learn what q use
less creature | was"
Il !" cried Allan, ut must have
been dream" for he had quite for
gotten poor Laura Bell and the note
of st. Valentines day.
"No dream, Allan" said Barbara,
and she gave him a look of gratitude
through her tears that made her
heart throb with joy. mo, it was
for me a most blessed reality, though
/ shall never forget the shock I felt
to see poor Laura, to hear from her
faded life how wretchedly wasted
my life was, and how Heaven would
require an account of my miserable
squandered abilities. From that
moment l tried to change, and when
| faltered in in the way iat first seme
of the duties / tried seemed revolt
ing) / looked at your bubble valen-
tine, and thought of the selfish idle
picture there"
Allan took it from her, and gazed
for the first time on Bob Trelawney' 8
handiwork. Then he looked at his
own note written by mistake on the
other side. The expression of his
bewildered face explained the error,
and they laughed together. Then
Allan glanced at his own picture and
laughed again.
Barbara" said he. "we have ex-
changed valentines. for to-day is the
14th of February. Shall it be for
life?"
| If ever words were full of pleading
love those five overflowed with it.
Her answer was quite as tender,
though given with her old arch
smile.
"You said / would make a good
surgeons assistant, and am willing
to try"
| II is ,nistake IN ask a Drecocious