The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-07-31
a'one had not been burned in the ho

For one little minute the N emory Of
the past month returned to her--the
strange, sweet influence he bad exerted
over her life--the future sweetness life
might yethold for her.
Pshaw! This was but girls idle
sentiment. did not every man dream Of
gloryf And TO grow old like Amt
Kate and Uncle Reuben, in st,guant
country town--to have her sleep dis
turbed by evefy old man and woman
within radius OF twenty miles who
wanted q potion for their latest ailmentI
---how could she bear this:
a am already engaged to be married,
she answered haetity, as Though seeking
strength in the words. seision rising be-
lore her as she uttered them OF the man.
sof her Choices man more than twice
.tsssage, bald and sseHtysstsat With bonds
and bank notes snffioient to atone for all
deficiencies, and make the world esteem
it high honor. thatshe should be made
his wife. ooh, Frank, forgive mel she
cried in quick contrition-for his hand
now had unclasped itself from hers, apd
he sprang to his feet with look upon
his face OF mortal agony.
But he answered her not word as he
walked quickly away in the mockery Of
the June sunlight
Il
Five years later, and in one of the
fashionable hotels OF Paris Law a child
i'll unto death-a little, fairy creature, of
perhaps three years of age, hut whose
golden curls now clustered about a face
white as the lace trimmed pillows on
which it rested.
Over her bent her mother, a woman
young and beautiful-a widow, won.
drous rich, the world said, but who, in
this hour would gladly have poured out
all her treasures to buy the priceless
treasure of her darling's life. She had
not loved her hn,band, this same world
declaring; but, be this as 1t may, he had
made no moan into its listening ear, and
after two short years Of welded life,
when death, after short, decisive strug
gle, had claimed him ali that he had was
willed unreservedly to the woman who
had filled alike bis pride and his heart.
II 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 1t.
The young American physician, to
whom madam was recommended is be.
low announced an attendant.
"Show him up" she answered, and
returned 10 her post. Come in she
called, softly, when second knock was
heard; and then, standing motionless,
she turned to look into the face of ono
who, though stranger, was at least a
countryman, but started back as though
confronted by ghost. 'Frank!' she
murmured; SIS it your
His own amazement equalled hers.
'Ah, I comprehend he said, the first
to regain his sel!-control Il did not
recognize Miss Arden in Mrs Geoffrey,
and doubtless the French tongue 80 gar
bled my own name as to render your
mistake an easy one Pardon me, l will
withdraw at once"
mo, no, stsyr she cried, laying one
entreating hand upon his arm. Il have
heard of your wonderful skill, which
has made your name famous even on
this side Of the water. Oh, Frank, be
merciful! save my child-my baby!
She is all, all that have.'
where is your husband 2
In quick, curt tones he put the qnes-
ton.
Did you not knowf' she said. He
has been dead three years.
And your child-- Yes, I have
heard 1t is the brain which is affected.
She has been unconscious for twenty
four hours. The physicians here have
given her up. 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 entreaty
A scornful, incredulous smile crept
about his lips-this woman spoke as if
she had heart; but his physicians in
stinct conquered hesitation, and bending
over the little sufferer, with careful. ten.
der 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 be said then.
and only the physician spoke. There
must be an immediate operation of a
most precarious nature. Her recovery
from it is extremely doubtful; but there
is chance Otherwise there is none.
Will you consentr
You will perform il =
Il will intrust it to no one else.'
'She is in your hands. Do with her
as you will
And il she dies?'
'0h, Frank, she is my child! You
will not let her die
Was it the remembrance Of these
words which made DR.. Lawrence hesi-
tate. few hours later, as, With two OF
the most et1inent surgeons in Paris, he
stood beside the little sufferer2 II his
judgment should he at fault! But there
was no time to weigh the Question.
Two hours after, be stepped into tie
darkened room, where one woman
awaited him.
She is sleeping. When she wakes she
will know you. / think that she will
live.'
He had stopped some little distance
from her as he spoke, hdt With d sud-
denness he ccnld not divine she had fal
len on her knees before him, grasping
his hands. and covering them with kiss
es and ber tears;
you must be calm for your child's
sake!' he said. in a voice all unh1oved.
Now 60 in to her. l will return to
watch with you through the night
But when morning dawned his proph-
ecy had been fulfilled. Death had taken
Away his grim shadow, and the baby,
waking, smiled into the beautiful face
above her and whispered:
Mammal
Throughout Paris spread tie news of
the marvellous operation. 1t was auoth
er on the long lists of triumphs accom-
plished by this young man, who had not
yet attained his thirty fifth year-'Doc
tor Frank Baby Alice calle1 him and