Wichita eagle., 1888-02-03

escape from the embarrassing situation into
which had so recklessly rushed.
"How lucky! You're wanted just as quick
as possible Drive to -"
eyes, yes" I interrupted. "You know
the way, don't yous"
eyes"
"Well, then, jump in with US and drive"
The boy did as requested, and we ratified
through the streets at lively gait. Thus
I had most fortunate circumstance come to
nv aid. in the form of an actual call for
physician, and we were now proceeding to
definite destination. John seemed to think
the proceedings little irregular, but l man.
aged to quiet his uneasiness by various de-
vices of prevarication.
We soon left the lighted portion of the
city, and plunged into dark and narrow
streets. Nothing could be distinguished in
the gloom but the towering shade trees on
either side, and an occasional night lamp
cleaning dimly from window.
"Here we are," exclaimed the boy, draw
ing the horse up SO suddenly that we all
pitched forward. We alighted, and the
urchin conducted us from the street into q
narrow alley, on each side Of which solid
brick walls doomed up. They were barely
discernible in the darkness, and had not the
remotest idea Of the quarter Of the city to
which we had come
Suddenly we turned, in obedience to our
small sized guide, and halted before low
arched door set in the brick wall. The boy
gave peculiar knock, which elected
whistle from within, this in turn being re-
piled to by another and slightly different
knock We were ushered within, and the door
was closed behind US.
Inky darkness was all about. A voice
commanded US to move forward, and we did
SO cautiously. The dark passage was not OF
great length. 1t led to another door, which,
on being opened, led to a dimly lighted apart
ment. Into this we proceeded, and peered
cautiously around, at first being unable
clearly to discern the contents of the room.
Becoming accustomed by degrees to the
semi darkness, we at length observed that
the place was one where poverty, il it did
not actually reign, at least had obtained
strong foothold. The furniture was scanty,
the walls were dingy and hung with cob
webs and a sickly flame from tallow candle
sent forth faint and uncertain rays Of light.
There's no money in this job" growled
John
Then came, in a sorrow laden voice, from
an obscure corner Of the room:
"Oh, my daughter"
The place had been profoundly quiet up to
this point was indignant at Johns heart
less remark. 1t was not at all like him.
also was somewhat disturbed in mind, for
there was something SO decidedly real about
our night adventure that began to fear it
would be impossible to pass it off as dream.
"Oh, my daughter!"
The words broke on the silence with start
ling distinctness. John advanced to the
quarter from which they proceeded, and l
followed him.
bring the light" he said.
The tallow candle was set In an old bottis,
and this l seized and carried with me- The
light disclosed an aged woman, on whose
face were the unmstable lines of struggle
and hardship. She was miserably clad. She
sat in a rocking chair by the side of cot.
On the cot, covered with an old shawl, lay a
girl whose age might have been 10 years.
Her face was in startling contrast to its sur
roundings, for it was fair and excessively
white. Her eyes were large, dark and bril-
liant and her hair was jet black. She took
no notice of our presence but seemed to stare
into vacancy.
SIS this your daughter" asked John.
eyes, sir; can you save herr" The sharp
ness of an intense anxiety was in the woman's
voice.
John, without replying, placed his hand
on the child's brow. He was always very
and for a moment his touch lin
gered while he studied the young face.
"She can make so much money for me if |
she lives" whined the old woman.
This surprising remark caused both John
and me to look at her inquiringly.
"She is my seventh daughter, and am my
mothers seventh daughter. She can look
into the future and tell all you want to |
knowm
"Yes," responded John gravely; II thought |
there was something peculiar about her"
"Ho, no! John Gorham," thought l, ''do |
you believe in any such nonsense as that
you, who are SO very practical and level |
headeds" But l kept my thoughts to myself.
TELL me, can you save herp repeated the
mother
''Ill try" replied John. "When did you
first observe her peculiar gifts"
There was no need to observe them. She's
the seventh daughter of seventh daughter,
md that's enough. Why don't you give her !
some medicine to bring down the fever'"
'sShe has very little fever Her trouble is
4 low state of vitality. l will not conceal
rom you that her condition is serious"
As John spoke he took the child'S hand in
MS own
upon my word" he exclaimed" she has
, surprising amount of nervous strength.
Her grip is as strong IS mans. l cannot
oosen it without hurting her."
At this juncture the child looked at him
lttentively and intelligently. | was still
tanding slightly in the rear, holding the
,andle over Johns shoulder.
Hush" exclaimed the old woman, in a
Warming whisper. "She is going to speak"
A faint voice from the bed now spoke these
words:
Beware of the man with the light Let
ne think. He does not seem TO be your
nemy, and Yet he is trying to deceive you.
SUIT he will not succeed"
was thrown into CONSERVATION by these
y ,ris OF course they meant me. How had
bis strange child penetrated my designs!
vas about to protest that she was delirious,
When she relinquished her grasp of Johns
land, turned her gaze fr--ul him, and re-
apsed into her former state. AS Tor John,
e favored me with single, swift and search
ne glance, which threw me into state of
utility confusion. But il he had any sus-
icions, lie gave no expression to them in
words. He opened his medicine chest, Sc
ected some remedies, and gave the old woman
irections for administering them.
There viii be no need Of my calling
GAIN he said. 'If the child is no better by
o-morrow, take her to the hospital See that
be has perfect quiet, and, above all things,
O not let her exert her peculiar powers until
be is fully restored to strength Sucn things
re a great strain on the nervous system,
"A tbe r,;rl r--,n,. Afford for tI,a ,,,-Sopt 70