Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-12-19
A FEARFUL ADVENTURE.
nY EMERSON BENNETT.

L YVES a medical student in Paris al
the time the strange and startling adj
venture happened which am about te
record. Tired with my long lectures
and hard study, was out one evening
for wall in the fresh air. IL was a
pleasant night in mid-winter, and the
cold. bracing air, US it touched my fe-
yerish brow, caused q grateful sensa-
ton.
Passing through rather lonely
street near the river, l was surprised at
melting young and pretty girl (at
least she so appeared in the dim light
of rather distant street lamp, who
carriedin her hand three or four bou-
qnets, which she offered for sale.
will monsieur have a bouquet?"
she asked, in sweet, musical tone.
holding out to me well-arranged col
lection of beautiful flowers.
"They are very pretty" said l, talk
ing them in my hand; and then. some
how, could not help adding, as / fixed
my eyes upon hers, "and so, / think, is
their fair owner"
Monsieur will purchase and assist
Mo! SIG Shlu.
do you, then, really need assistance,
mademoiselle?
why else should I~be here at this
hour of the night, monsieur"
And why here at alp" quickly re-
turned /. "This street is little fire.
quented, and is about the last in the
world should have selected for tlispos-
ing of a luxury most suited to wealth
and fashion,"
She sighed. and reached out her
hand for the bouquet which I still re-
tanned.
What is your price?"
Five frances"
''A large sum-"
Monsieur will remember it is win
ter, and flowers are not plenty"
"To aid you 1 will purchase" re-
turned ], handing her the requisite sill
yer coin, "for though L love flowers, I
would otherwise hardly indulge in the
luxury tonight at such IN expense"
She thanked me, and seemed about
to pass on, but hesitated, looked up ut
me, and said:
Gould monsieur direct me to the
house of good physician. who would
turn out tonight to see patient for u
small recompense?"
ANY friend OF yours ill?"
my mother!" with deep sigh and
downcast look.
Where does she reside?"
"Only short distance from here"
What is the matter with hcr?"
She has high fever for one thing q
when was she taken?"
"She came down last night, aud has
not left her bed since"
"Why did you not send for docto,
at once?"
1--WE hoped she would get better
soon, and it is SO expensive for poo
people to employ physician"
Il am myself q medical student
with considerable experience among
the sick of the hospitals, and if you ar,
disposed to trust the case to me I an
at your service without CHARGE re
rejoined, already feeling deeply inter
ested in the fair girl.
ooh, how shall thank monsieur 2
she exclaimed, with clasped hands, ant
an upward, grateful look. Pray follow
me, Monsieur le Docteur."
She turned at once, and moved of
at rapid pace down the street, toward
the River Seine. in the direction L wa
walking when we met. In less thar
five minutes we had reached wretchet
quarter, among narrow streets, old tot
tering buildings. aud squalid- Iookin,
inhabitants, some Of whom seemed K
glare at us as We passed along.
"Only q step, monsieur. 1t is jus
here.
Almost Immediately she turned int,
covered passage, which led in bacl
among habitations that should neye
have voluntarily visited in the broad
Light of day. A distant lamp JUS
served to make the gloom visible, Til
she suddenly stopped and opened
door into total darkness.
Your hand. Monsieur lie Docteur.
she said, al the same time taking it ant
leading me forward.
/ was tempted to draw back and re
fuee to go any further, though / me
chanically followed her.
We now went through long, narrow
passage, in total darkness, and afte,
two or three short turns, began to de
scend flight Of creaking, rotten stairs
Us it possible you live in place
like this?" said /, secretly wishing my
self safely out of it.
In Paris beggars cannot be choos
ers,' replied the girl.
But even in Paris it is not necessary
for the living to take up their abodes il
sepulchres!' L rejoined, with the sam,
asperity, being vexed at myself for suf
fering my good nature to lead me int.
aden from which might never com,
ont alive.
To this my fair guide aeigned no re