Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-07-11
.oung master was always reldy with

| young master was hI"dyo Ietuy WIFI
his joke"
On the outskirts of the little group,
unnoticed in the excitement of the
moment, stood the tall man in the grey
tweed suit
Suddenly he raised his ewes to the
scaffolding above VictOr's head and then,
no one knew quite how it happened, but
strong men were thrown right and left
as by giants strength.
| There was sickening crash and Vic
tor was thrown as though he were a
child far out of halm's way.
But where he had stood moment be-
fore lay man they all knew, pinned
down by heavy beam across his chest.
And while they st ,Od horror stricken
and appalled,, a graceful wOman's form
was in their midst.
Men," she said in voice so unlike
her own that those who heard it never
forgot, "can you do nothing but stand
and stare like idiots? Victor, he has
given his life for you, can you do moth
ing to felieve hinlP Go to the house
and see that a room is mase ready to
receive him. John Stiles, saddle the
feetest horse in the stable and ride for
DIR. Jackson as you never rode before (;
and the rest of YOU put forth all your
strength and lift this BEAM"
And they succeeded in rescuing the
man and bore him slowly and silently,
with all the strong vitality crushed out
of him, up the road he had trodden so
Often-un the broad walk that had
echoed SO drearlly to the sound of his
footsteps less than year ago = into the
house he had been forbidden TO enter
again; and before them walked wom-
an, with wild eyes and white drawn
lips
When the doctor came out of the
room, after all was done that he could do,
she met him at the door.
as there any hope doctorr
Il cannot tell vet. He has a strong
constitution, and we will hope for the
best" said the good old doctor, while
the tears stood in his eyes.
For he had known and loved Stephen
Walker all his life.
doctor" she said, grasping bis arm
with passionate force, "you must save
him-you must, you must! Take all |
have mCrev lands. eyerything-but
save his lifew
"You forget, my child, that the issues
of life and dearh are not in my hands.
If any skill Of mine can avail to save
Stephen Walkers life, think you know
| need no bribe."
"Forgive me, doctor! scarcely knew
what | was saying. know you will do
all you can and | am a good nurse papa
always said So"
"Helen, you must not think of nursing
him. This strain on your nerves Is too
great you are i'll already"
She laid a slim cool hand in his.
"Put your finger on my pulse, doctor.
1t beats evenly. Ilnust he brave and
strong for his sakr. If | gave my life
fcr him it would but poorly requite what
he has done for me"
The doctor looked into the white pitt
full face, in which no trace OF the old
pride remained, and read her secret.
at shall be as you WISH" he said
briefly, "but you must let nurse help
you. 1t will be terrible ordeal even if
be RECEIVERS"
She went into the darkened room
where he lay in heavy stupor, and
knelt beside the couch. Presently he
opened his eyes and saw her there. A
glad smile lighted his face.
Nell, Queen Nell !" he said softly, and
then. "VictOr, is he safe"
"Safe and unframed, Stephen; but At
| what cost ~
ut is better so-better and easier to
die thus for your happiness than to live
through the weary years OF exile | looked
forward to-"
'Do not talk of dying" she moaned
"You must live for my sake fer, oh, my
darling. | cannot live without you."~
A sudden gladness transfgured bis
| face"
DO you know what you are saying
Helen? Did you care for me little
after all?
$50 much, Stephen, that if you are
taken, there will be no good thing left
| life for me but to lie down and die
90 so much that could never have
married Victor, though like coward
shrunk from telling him sO."
81 must live, DEAR he said; 81 cannot
die nowp
And then he drifted away into uncon'
sciousness.
Itw.s 'rng days before he knew hel
again-long, weary days, while the iron
constitution did battle with the fever
that consumed him, and often when II
seemed that the battle was hopeless.
And through it all she never left him
In that dark time, all that was best anc
sweetest in Helen Vinton's nature came
to the surface. She had no thought
then of concealing her love; but bel
| rbolo ha;,r xropt ont IN ono raccionatf