The Opelousas courier., 1890-10-11
STARTLING ADVENTURE.

; I was a medical student in Paris at
the time the strange and startling ad-
venture happened which / am about to
record. Tired with long lectures and
hard study, / was out one evening for a
| walk in the fresh air: It was a pleasant
night in mid-winter, and the cold, brac-
ing air, as Untouched my feverish brow,
| caused a grateful sensation.
Passing through a rather lonely street
near the river. I was surprised at meeting
q young and pretty girl-at least she SO
| appeared in the dim light of a rather
distant street lamp-who carried in her
hand some three or four bouquets, which
she offered for sale.
evil monsieur have a bouquetm she
asked, in a sweet, musical tone. holding
out to me a well-arrauged collection of
beautiful flowers.
"They are very pretty" said I, taking
them in my hand; and then, somehow, /
could not help adding, as I fixed my
| eyes upon hers, "And SO, l think, is
their fair owner"
"Monsieur will purchase and assist
| me9' she said.
"Do you, then, really need assistance,
| mademoiselIe?
"Why else should I be here at this
hour of the night, monsieur7"
"And why here at ala" quickly re-
turned l. "This street is little frequent
ed, and is about the last in the world !
should have selected for disposing of a
LUXURY most suited to wealth and fash
ion."
She sighed and reached out her hand
for the bouquet. which l still retained.
"What is your price?" said |.
GIVE francs2"
IA large sum-"
'Monsieur will remember it is winter,
and flowers are not plentiful"
ITO aid you / will purchase, " returned
I, handing her the requisite silver coin;
'sfor, though / love flowers, / would
otherwise hardly indulge in the luxury
tonight at such an expense"
She thanked me, and seemed about to
pass on, but hesitated, looked up at me
and said:
could monsieur direct me to the
house of a good physician, who would
turn out tonight and see q patient for a
small recompense?'
ssAny friend of yours I'LL"
my mothert" with a deep sigh and
downcast look.
aWhere does she resided"
stOnly a short distance from here"
"What is the matter with herr"
ssShe has a high fever, for one thing
when was she taken?n
s.She came down last night, and has
not left her bed since"
aWhy did you not send for a doctor
once3n
I'VE hoped she would get better soon,
and 1t is SO expensive for poor people to
employ a physician.
81 am myself a medical student, with
considerable experience among the sick
Of the hospitals, and if you are disposed
to trust the case to me, / am at your SER
vice without charge" / rejoined, already
feeling deeply interested in the fair girl.
ooh, how shall ] thank monsieur2n
she exclaimed, with clasped hands, and
IN upward, grateful look. stPray, fol-
low me, Monsieur lie Docteur."
She turned at once and moved off at a
rapid pace down the street toward the
River Seine in the direction / was walk
ing when We met.
In less than five minutes we had en-
tered q wretchcd quarter, among narrow
streets, old, tottering buildings, and
squalid looking inhabitants, some Of
whom seemed to glare at US as VT passed
along.
lis it much further?n inquired ], be-
ginning TO feel uneasy.
tsOnly q step, monsieur. It 10 just
here"
Almost Immediately she turned into a
covered passage, which led in back
among habitations that / should never
have voluntarily visited in the broad
| light OF day. A distant lamp just served
to make the gloom visible, till she sud
denly stopped and opened a door into
total darkness.
HYour hand, Monsieur le Docteur, /"
she said, at the same time taking It and
leading me forward.
/ was tempted to draw back and re-
fuse to goany further, though mechani-
cally followed her.
We now went through a long, narrow
passage, IN total darkness, and, after two
on three short turns, began to descend q
flight OF creaking stairs.
lis il possible you live IN q place Like
this2'' said /, secretly wishing myself
safely out Of it.
"In Paris beggars cannot be choosers, 4
replied the girl.
ssBut even In PARIS It is not necessary
for the living 10 take up their abodes in
sepulchers,n / rejeined with some as
perlsy, being vexed at myself for suffer
ing my good nature to lead me into q den
from which ] might never come out
alive.
TO this my fair guide deigned no reply.
On reaching the foot of the stairs she
pushed open ! door, into d small dimly
lighted room, and I followed her into it
with some secret m~isgivings. There was
4 bed ID one corner, and on it appeared
10 be d human form, lying very still.
ST have brought d doctor, mother, I
said the girl as she closed the door behind
me.
A. there was no reply TO this she
fuFnn9 In me saving.