Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-26
THE DOCTORS CURSE.

huu ti1Cc IuOEc lOOhcu hDOul TOOLu,
which was respectfully appointed, while q
shade less glittering and tawdry than
similar lodgings in the capital. OF the
fashions of these southern towns he knew
as yet but little. Paris, London and Ger
man universities had sufffced for one
whose sole purpose In living was to reach
the highest science in his own profession;
and it was but day and an hour since he
had heard a strange voice calling, the
voice which had summoned him south
ward to the shore of that blue, vast sea
by which a ghastiy plague was stalking.
He brushed the haze from his sight and
tried to find things real. He was strongly
conscious Of some few trities; the white
window curtain fiuttcring family in the
failing breeze and the morning sun, which
grew pitilessly hot, the twisted draperies
of the bed, the silence of the stricken
outer world, his own image in the mirror
on the opposite wall. He regarded this
last with vague wonder. What pale,
dazed countenancei How strangely gaunt
the shaven facet How thin the dark locks
upon the temples!
Then he went again to look at the man
upon the bed, who still tossed in torme mt
and moaned necessarily for water"
Janeway had come prepared. He
opened his case and took out certain rem
edies. He held the spoon TO the lips OF
the sufferer; then he stood erect and spoke
one word:
Seymour"
The eyes Of the man unclosed. He
looked up half-deliriously and grasped as
II death itself lowered over him.
"HeayensI You hereyy
The doctor. still looking at him, an
swered calmly:
Yes, am here"
what have you come fori To kill me,
To take her from mei"
"Where is shet" the doctor asked
slowly, though no quiver was preceptible
OF voice or feature.
-She is safe-in waiting for me, "
the other answered in tone of misery.
-Waiting for me, and / am dying here
without her! 1t is your curse upon us
your cursel Water-give me drink
am burning up-your cursep
Hush" Janeway moistened his lips.
You are not the one, nor this the hour
10 speak of curses. Only one thing de-
mand TO know-for the rest be silent-if
you have cherished and been tender with
her. Swear to me the tr nth, as you may
meet your God this day"
The sick man cried out his answer with
agony.
Il swear, swear that l have always
loved herI" de broke again into bitter
at the pain that racked him in
body and limbs.
Janeway seated himself and chafed the
hands and ar ms of his patient, constantly,
only pausing at intervals to ad-
minister the remedies. There was in his
face a set look Of resolve.
The sufferer breathed more rapidly, his
voice grew huskier.
Il thought-that you had come to take
her back"
Take her backf" repeated Janeway.
"How can one take back what one never
hadt" Inever had her; she never was
mine except in name. II she had once
loved me, do you fancy she would have
forgotten it," A certain lofty pride
seemed for the moment to round his
speech. ~Oh, no; she never was mine!"
He said no more, but continued to chafe
the hands Of the foe whom he had found
20 strangely in a strange land.
Seyn lr grew quieter; he spoke in q
slow, husky whisper.
you are right; she never loved you.
blame me for loving her, even though
you, yourself, did not"
III not love Amy-not love-my wifel"
Janeway's wondering voice swelled with
; strange pathOs, when suddenly he
paused and seemed to recollect. "No
matter. But swear to me this
also. That you will never forsake her"
Il swear" the husky whisper came.
And presently Seymour dropped into a
ioze.
The day drifted by. The room was ST.
ent and the heat intense. The window
curtains scarcely stirred.
A sister Of charity came in
as he living stillf" she asked.
"He will live, / think" said Jsneway
quietly.
The sister took his place, and he went
,ut into the street He did not 60 far; he
walked slowly, looking about him with
grave and sunken eyes. He could see
Death striding through the city, masked
with the white and glaring sunshine. He
,ould hear the cries of those in NOR
al asony-Rnd the cry of his own heart.
Patience" he said to his heart. 40
morrow we will go to them-to-morrow,
when all is clear"
He hastened back to Seymour. who still
lozed, only arousing occasionally to beg
or water.
The sister went away, and evening
:rept on. The candles wasted slowly.
Janeway, leaning forward, his chin
owered, his eyes lifted, looked at the
wasting candles. Perhaps between him
md their flame some phantom Of the
past seemed floating; perhaps some
brightness Of Amy's hair-the azure
ler eyes-for suddenly he drew a hard
'reath and sprang to his feet
1T shall not bel" he cried between his
eeth.
The candles had burned out; another
ultry dawn was at the window. Jane
way, white with exhaustion, leaned back
n his chair. He had fought hard with
ieath.
The sun was rising, when voice came
rom the bed.
Am be tier, or must die'r
Then Seymour, stirring, looked upon
he watcher.
Phillip Janeway," he said pal lfully. al
houg ht it was dream"
The watcher turned his sunken eyes
upon him, but gave no answer.
Theman on the bed moved with a rest
less, fearful countenance.
@What do you mean to dor" he asked
"Did you follows usi"
! Follow youl" Janeway's voice seemed
o come from distance. "If had ever
houRht to do SO. it would have been