The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-11-25
a gale, and the boats, which had
been lowered, having become sepa-

gale, aud the boats, which had
been lowered, having become sepa-
rated.
"How are the women getting on ?"
inquired the mate, an hour after the
party had been picked up, and the
| ladies, with their trunk, which had
been saved, were in a comfortable
cabin next to that of the stewards
wife.
The person the mate addressed
was the ships doctor, Henry We'll
don, Jolly, rosy-faced man of mid
die age, with whom he was playing
cards.
Very we'll, sir" was the answer.
"The rescue may be termed a doub-
ly fortunate one; for it seems that
mother and daughter, after having
for years lived on the scant profits
of needle work, have reason to ex.
pect something better. Mrs. Harri-
son, the elder lady, is a widow,
whose husband, while he lived, was
unwell and subject to catalepsy, or
trance. rendering him unfit for bus
mess, SO that he left her very poor
when he died. When wrecked, she
and her daughter were on their way
to New Orleans, where the girl is to
receive two thousand pounds left
there for her by an uncle, who has
gone off to India"
why, bless my eyes you don't
say SOP
"Ho, ho!" cried the doctor. "loGf
speaking of your eyes reminds me
that Mrs. Harrison has so injured
hers by fine sewing that she scarcely
can see. | think she is incurable,
but am going to allow my assist
ant, Walter Barker, to take the case
in hand. Here he is now," added
the speaker, as an intellectual-look
ing young man of about twenty-five
entered.
There was great difference in the
character of these two men. Both
were graduates of a good medical
college, but Weldon had no special
liking for Lis profession, whereas
Barker really loved his calling; and
while the elder doctor was playing
cards, or otherwise amusing himself,
his assistant, true to his work, by a
course of steady and careful reading,
was constantly discovering not only
the truths set before him, but even
some which were never dreamed of
by the authors he studied.
Deyoting himself heart and soul
to the case which Weldon had pro-
nounced incurabie, the young man
fiually restored Mrs. Harrison's
sight, to the unbounded joy aud
gratitude of the old lady, now able
to look upon her lovely. blooming
daughter, Eve, whom, owing to her
impaired vision, she could say she
had not really seen for years.
The attachment Of these two be-
ings to each other was beautiful to
witness. They were almost con-
stantly together. and the care with
which Eva watched over her moth
er's comfort was enjoyed and appre-
ciated by the toughest sailor aboard
the ship.
But at length an anxious look
came to the mothers face, for she
perceived that the color was leaving
the girls cheeks-that she was grow
ing pale and thin. Day by day, in
fact, her step became slower, until
at last, in answer to her mothers in
quiries, she confessed that ste did
not feel we'll. She only knew that
her strength seemed to be failing
strangely that a faintness OCCASION
ally came over her. DR.. Weldon at
tended her, but the case puzzled him
and his medicines were useless.
Don't grieve for me so much"
said Eva to her mother. II may get
well, but it is best TO be prepared
for the worst. The letter from my
uncle, telling me OF my good for
tune, is in my little blue pocketbook
that you made me present of, ma
ma. Don't forget that, for the mon
ey will do you ever so much good,
and that is a great comfort to me. If
go, don't cry too much. as that will
only hurt your eyes again.
The old lady laid both trembling
hands an the speakers arm, and en-
deavored to look composed. but her
heart felt as if it would break.
Next morning there was a sad
look on the sailors faces. They
went about on tip-toe, and when
rope was dropped it fell carefully
almost without a noise-for the
news had reached them that Eva
was dead
There she lay, cold and still, in
the cabin, her arms carefully folded
over her breast by the stewards wife,
her face looking as calm as if she
slept, but white as the long gown in
which she was robed.
She had died, it was said, with
her hand in that of her old mother;
and the latter, now gazing in sort
of dazed, expectant way at The still
form, seemed unable to realize that
her child was really gone from her.
DR.. Weldon and his assistant en-
tered. The former gave one brief
glance at the rigid features and with
drew, but the young man remained.
Lower and lower he knelt, until his
clear eyes were within half foot of
the face, when he steadily watched
the closed lids, as if counting every
lash. Then he sought Weldon, and
the two were in their room for some
time, conversing in low tones.
Next morning the colors were at
the maintopsail hauled
back, the ship lying nearly motion
less, as theoe was hardly breeze.
The body of Eva, with a few weights
under the feet. as usual in prepara-
lion for sea- burials, was being sewed |
in canvas. to be ready to be launch !