The National tribune., 1885-06-11
III I.

Doctor-How is Number Fourteen, nurse
Nurse.-The fever is very high. Sir. 1t looks
! bad for her, poor young creature. / do not
| think she'll get over o-night.
Doctor.-Aud the child2
NurSe.-The child is dead.
Doctor.-Ahi did not expect it could be
saved. But it was nice little thing. Has the
mother said anything OF her own people r-ex-
pressed any desire to see any one?
Nurse.-She has rambled good deal about
her mother and her cousin in New York, but
she has given no clue to her real name and
place; and she has not asked for any Que. OF
course she is something different from what she
says. She is not Jane Smith, and she is not a
servant out of place. The lady who brought
her knows all about her, aud shee just come.
Doctor.-Is she with her now?
Nurseries, sir; but see her coming out of
the room. And here she is.
Doctor Ito lady).-Can speak to you, madam,
for moment?
Lady.-Certainly.
Doctor.-You are interested in that young
person You have just left 7
l.ady.-YeS, deeply.
Doctor.-Shc is in grave condition Indeed.
/ may say in imminent danger.
Lady (sorrowfuliyl. / see that for myself,
and understand her state only too we'll
Doctor.-Ifas she no friend-no relation
whom it would be we'll for her to see 2 You say
that you are only her friend; has she no others
nearer, who should be communicated with If
she has, il would be as well to bring them here
without much delay.
Lady-She has asked for her mother.
Doctcr.-GOod. Will you undertake the
charge of sending her2
Lady lin tearS).- will
Doctor.-Without much delay. 1t IS already
! evening BY midnight.
".
A woman (of about forty, with snow-wh;te
hair and dead-white face, dressed as a servant,
but with the air of lady. She speaks with a
| slight American accentj.-I have come to sec
| tlooks at paper} Jane Smith.
Porter at the hospital-Yes, madam. (To
attendant) Take this lady to Ward.
Nurse.-fou have come for Jane Smith
Number Fourteen This way, if yOu please,
| ma'am. Jane! here is visitor for you.
No. 14-Mother! Mother! Can you forgive
meI Tell me you forgive me before die!
| Woman.-FOrgive your No! You have dis
| graced your fathers memory, dishonored your
| family, degraded yourself. and sullied the name
of America. Forgive you? Never. | have
| come 10 see you. as you wished. but not to pre-
tend to forgive the iIfamy which has burned
| itself into my very heart.
| No. ii (wildly).-Ths is too terrible. II is
| more than can bear. Oh, mother, have pity
| have mercy!
Woman.-It is by your own act that you
are punished. Think of the months of decep-
/ tion in which you have lived, sleeping aud
! waking. by my side. Think of the atmosphere
of faisehood that you have woven round you.
and of the shameful comedy you have played J.;
! think Of the mockery of your pretended love
| for me, hiding this internal secret from me-
and then ask mo to forgive you! l should bc
| faithlcss TO the Lord if | did. To pardon you
| would be to want pardon for myself.
! No. H.-Has God no mercyY has heaven no
| forgiveness? Mother. will you be harsher
| than the Lord?
Woman.--On one condition only will for.
| give you. Tell me the name. Who is he?
| No. IA Gliding her face).-No. cannot; ]
will not add treachery to my infamy.
Woman (risingj.-1ou will not? Then all
| is over between us. My heart is turned to
stone against you. You. the daughter of SO
| splendid man as your father, to have kept his
name SO badly-and now to shield your be-
| trayer-his dishonor! For the first time and
| for the last i glad that God took his noble
| life before he knew the burning shame that
| has ruined mine.
no. ID (feebiy)-If it could do good, yes
| But it cannot. 1t would be only one sin the
| more
woman.-No, it would be iustice-!;ustice
| and retrbution. He should be shot like the
dog he is.
| No. III have lost all-mOthcr, child, name
| myself. Gods mercy, too-but / will not betray
| thisi
Woman.-Then farewell. Gods mercy may
| be given you. poor wretched sinner-He
| knows best-but mine cannot
No. A.-Kiss me, mother. Ny head is all on
! fire Kiss me as you used when / was a little
| child. 1t will heal me.
Woman kisses her
No. l4.-Your lips are cold as marble, mother
| 1t is like kissing death.
| Woman.--It is as / feel. Death is in my
! heart, too.
No. l4.-My punishment is greater than
can bear. Surely now God will let me die!
| Doctor enters
Doctor Madam, must end this interview.
1t is too much for my patient. 1t is, indeed. as
much as her life is worth TO agitate her SO fear
1 fully.
Wonan.-I am willing to go. leave her in
your hands.