Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-11-29

So at ten o'clock next morning the
nurse, in the most tender manner pos
sible, explained to the child, so far as
she though 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 quiveriag not
withstanding her brave efforts at self
control.
mot very much, and you viii know
nothing about it; they will give you
something to put you to sleep until it is
all over"
"Who will do itP"
"Dr. Jay"
ooh, it's all right then!'' with a glad
smile of loving confidence; "he will save
me for sure, if anybody can, and / know
he won't hurt me. "
When the hour arrived, without
murmur 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
DIR. 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 outstretched to him, and
the face lighted up with smile of low
ing tenderness as she said, softly
'Pm not afraid if you do it-you'n
save me if you can, | know-but 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-T'-her voice sank lower and lower,
as she hesitated, her eyes still wearing
that appealing look-"would you-let
me kiss you-just once-before | 60 to
sleep? mightn't wake up, you know,
and you've been so good to me. " Still
lower, almost whisper, mo one ever
kissed me before you didr'
Did DR.. Jay think of his own petted
darling at home-his only child-to
whom life had been one long caressP
and did he feel the contrast between her
and this poor homeless little wait, to
whom caresses were unknown Injuries?
Perhaps so. There certainly were
tears in his kind eyes as he tenderly
raised the fraIl 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 a 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.
''Will you hold my hand, please,
while go to Sleep" she asked, plead
ingly.
DR.. Jay clasped the frail little hand
in his broad warm palm, and with her
beloved ribbon tightly held in the other
hand, Maggie fell asleep.
At the end of half an hour it was
over. and Maggie slowly Enclosed her
eyes.
AhoH SidHcIng uoWu its IL eeaIcnlnS
for something, the lips moved family.
What is it, dearP" DR.. Jay asked,
bending near her lips.
"My ribbon" came family to his ear.
Picking it up from the floor where it
had fallen, he laid it in her outstretched
hand. Feebly she raised it to her cheek,
her lips, then the hand fell, with a
slight tender pressure on that of DR.. Jay.
The eyes met his with world of tender,
loving devotion, then their light faded,
and little Maggie was safe from pain
and sorrow.-Jennie 2. Araold, in
Youths Companion