The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-12-30

I
happiness, and the pale cheeks flushed
a delicate pink, rivalling the roses on
her beautiful gift. Pain and sorrow
were all forgotten in the delight of her
new possession.
She had evidently exercised all her
TASTE and skill in arranging her beloved
ribbon to the best advantage. in antici-
patton of the doctors visit 1t was
hOoped and bowed and festooned in a
most graceful manner about her head
and form, for, all unknown to herself,
Maggie had inherited ali the taste and
skill of the loving, gentle little French
mother who, deserted by the one who
should have been her protector, had
died broken-hearted at the birth of her
child.
IF she could but see how pretty she
looks!' the nurse said, softly.
the next day when, from the capa-
cious pockets of his overcoat, DR.. Jay
brought forth a small hand mirror, and
held il before the eyes of the delighted
child, her cup of happiness was over
flowing.
Every night the beloved gift was care
fuzzy smoolhed and folded in tissue
paper. With one bunch of roses turned
on the outside OF the package, and with
tender pressure of it against her cheek,
and a loving goodnight kiss, Maggie
would fall asleep, her hand resting lov-
in"iy upon its soft, lustrous folds. At
her first waking moments it was un-oll-
ell, aud the delight of manifold mani
pulatiOns recommended, with ever fresh
delight.
But there came day when even the
possession Cf her hearts treasure could
not overcome the terrible pain which
racked her Slight frame.
For davs she had been growing worse,
and the physicians saw no hope save in
an Operation-difiicult and dangerous,
one which if unsuccessful must result
fatally.
They had postponed it from week to
week, hoping tor = favorable result with
out it. But one morning DIR. Jay found
Maggie lying so white and exhausted
from pain and sleeplessness, he saw
clearly that there was no alternative.
She seemed unconscious of his pres
ence, even when he pressed the thin
white hand as he felt her pulse. The
pat!id, pain-marked face, the limp,
wasted little form, appealed most pathe-
ticaliv to his kind heart, and bending
over her, he pressed kiss of fatherly
tenderness on the white forehead. Her
large dark eyes suddenly unclosed, the
warm blood flushed the pale cheeks. and
smile of tender, loving delight flashed
over her face.
''lS the pain SO hard to bear, dear
chItd?" he asked, sympatheticallv
ut is better now" was her low reply.
All. how littl" DR.. Jay suspected, as
the dark eyes followed him with such
worshlpful tenderness, that his kiss was
the first caress the poor child had ever
known! Kicks and cuffs and drunken
oaths had been often showered upon
ner, but fathers kiss, mothers ten
der caress, poor Maggie-worse than
OrDhaned-had never known.
There must be an operation without
delay" was DR.. jays decision, after
briet consultation with the house physi-
clans. "To-morrow at eleven at the
very latest Sne cannot live over forty
eight hours in her present condition"
Then to the head nurse whom he had
summoned, You viii please tell her,
Ms Hatch, sufficient to have her un-
derstaud the necessity of the operation.
She seems unusually intelligent. and it
will save her from fright and nervous
ness, and she needs everything possible
in her favor. Do not tell her until an
hour before the operation; let her sleep
ght if she can under the opiate,
without knowing it"
SO nj ten o'clock next morning the
nurse, in the most tender manner DOS
Sbie. explained to the child. so far as
she thought necessary, the operation
she was about to undergo, concluding
with
1--WE hope to make you strong and
well again, dear"
"Will they hurt me very much?"
Maggie asked, her lip quivering not
withstanding her brave efforts at self
con rol.
Not very much, and you will know
nothing about it; they will give you
something to put you TO sleep until it is
all over.
..Who will do it?n
"Dr. JAY"
"Oh, it's all right thenr' with a glad
smile OF loving confidence; .he will save
me for sure. if anybody can, and know
ne won't hurt me-"
When the hour arrived. without
muraur OF dread or shrinking on her
part, the little frail. emaciated form was
LAID upon the operation table, her hand
tightly clasping the beloved ribbon even
in that dread hour.
She glanced from one to another of
the grave faces of nurses and physicians
who stood around. looking in vain for
DR. Jay, who, delayed by patients, had
but just arrived. she called his name
softly, and Fastening to her side, he
bent over her with kindly, reasSuring
smile. The thin. wasted little hands
Were eagerly ouistretched to him, and
the face lighted up with smile of lov-
ing tenderness as she said, softly
I'm not afraid if YOU do it-vou'll
save me if you can, know-bpt if l
should die'-she hesitated, stopped,
looked up appealingly into the kind face
above her.
What is it, dear?" he asked reassur-
ingly.
Would you mind-would you care
if-I'-her voice sank lower and lower,
as she hestated. her eyes still wearing
that appealing look-'.would you-let
me kiss you-just once-before | 90 to
sleep? l mightn't wake mp, you know.
and you've been so good to me" Still
lower. almost a whisper. NO one ever
kissed me before you didI'
Did DR.. Jay think of his cwn petted
darling at home-his only child-to
whom life had been one long careSs?
and did he feel the contrast between her
and tins poor homeless little waif. to
! whom careSses were unknown luxuries?
! Perhaps so. There certainly were
tears in his kind eyes as he tenderly
raised the frall little form in his arms
and pressed her to his breast.
! The slender. childish arms were clasp
ed about his neck, and her lips met his
with tender. clinging kiss. For mo-
! ment her cheeks nestled fondly against
his. then touching her lips lightly to his
forehead, she sank softly back upon her
pillow