Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-01-08
A FEARFUL ADVENTURE.
By EMERSON BENNETT.


Twas a medical student in Paris at
the time the strange and startling adj
venture happened which am about to
record. Tired with my long lectures
and hard study, was out one evening
for a walk in the fresh air. It was
pleasant night In mid-winter, and the
cold. bracing air, as it touched my te-
verish brow, caused grateful sensa-
tion.
Passing through a rather lonely
street near the river, I was surprised at
netting a young and pretty girl Cat
least she so appeared in the dim light
of a rather distant street lamp, who
carried in her hand three or four bou-
Duets. which she offered for sale.
evil monsieur have a bouquet"
she asked, in a sweet, musical tone,
holding out to me a well-arranged col
lection of beautiful flowers.
"They are very pretty" said 1, tax
ing them in my hand; and then, some
how, could not help adding, as I fixed
my eyes upon hers, ~and so, I think, is
their fair owner.
Monsieur will purchase and assist
me?" she said.
do you, then, really need assistance,
mademOiselle?
why else should I be here at this
hour of the night, monsieur"
"And why here at all?" quickly re-
turned I. "This street is little fire.
quented, and is about the last in the
world I should have selected for dispos-
ing of a luxury most suited to wealth
and fashion"
She sighed, and reached out her
hand for the bouquet, which still re-
tanned.
What is your pricef"
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 I, handing her the requisite sill
yer coin, "for though love flowers, I
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:
Gould monsieur direct me to the
house of a good physician, who would
turn out tonight to see a patient for a
small recompense?"
ANY friend of yours ill?"
Ny motherl" with deep sigh and
s1owncast look.
Where does she reside?"
NOnly q short distance from here"
What is the matter with her?"
"She has high fever for one thing?'
When was she taken?"
She came down last night, and has
not left her bed since"
"Why did you not send for a doctor
at once?"
ave hoped she would get better
people to employ physician"
Il 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 I am
at your service without CHARGE" I re-
reioined, already feeling deeply inter
ested in the fair girl.
"Oh, how shall 1 thank monsieur!"
she exclaimed, with clasped hands, and
an upward, grateful look. Pray follow
me, Monsieur lie Docteur."
She turned at once, and moved off
at rapid pace down the street, toward
the River Seine. in the direction I was
walking when we met. In less than
five minutes we had reached a wretched
quarter, among narrow streets, old tot
tering buildings, aud squalid-looking
inhabitants, some of whom seemed to
glare at US as we passed along.
~Only step, monsieur. 1t is just
here"
Almost Immediately she turned into
a covered passage, which led In back
among habitations that 1 should never
have voluntarily visited in the broad
light of day. A distant lamp Just
served to make the gloom visible, till
she suddenly stopped and opened a
door into total darkness.
your hand. Monsieur lie Docteur,D
;she said, at the same time taking it and
leading me forward
1 was tempted to draw back and re-
fuse to go any further, though I me-
chemically followed her.
We now went through long, narrow
passage, in total darkness, and after
two or three short turns, began to de-
scend a flight of creaking, rotten stairs.
as it possible you live in a place
like this ?" said 1, 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 in
.sepulchres!" I reioined, with the same
sasperity, being vexed at myself for sui
fering my good nature to lead me into
den from which 1 might never come
out alive.
To this my fair guide deigned no re-