The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-02


And the surgeon lifted the arm of the
PROSTATE man and looked at it admir-.
ingly.
Then what is it You dread?"
The doctor gave her a sharp glance
There was no fear of shocking the Saliva
zionist. They were too well used to every
variety of vice.
Its the fever that will supervene, the
d. t. you know! The mans been drinking
like mad for weeks, should say, and now
his blood is little better than alcohol.
WHO'S to see him through with it, won
der? It'll be tough fight. She's not
much use, poor little wretch!" he ended,
with glance toward the tireside.
Captain Kitty followed the direction OF
that glance. and started
The figure of a girl-untidy. disheveled,
ragged-was sitting there with her head
buried In her hands, sobbing IN soft, sub
dued sort of fashion.
The Salvationist turned pale to the lips,
but she set these same lips in firm line.
Il will see him through it" she SAID,
with quick decision.
The surgeon looked at her doubtfuily.
but perhaps you don't know what 1t IS
that You are undertaking? Ii is no Joke
when the fits come on, | can tell you
Il have some idea. spent four months I,
once IN the accident ward of hospital.
That's all right, thenl You know what
you have to expect when he comes round:
You will have TO keep giving him doses OF
thls-bromide and potassium IL is-to
quiet him, or Inflammation VIII set IN.
and if he should become violent he will
require to be strapped down. Are you
afraid ?"
Not in the least! Look at my arm, 1
am as strong as man"
1t was indeed powerfully and splendidly
nodded. The doctor ran his eyes over
her and confessed to himself that he had
never seen grander specimen OF woman
hood. From the glorious masses OF ruddy
brown hair to the firm, shapely feet, there
was not. to all appearance, weak spot
about her. Nevertheless, the quick pro-
fessional gaze detected something amiss.
Are you quite sure of your strength ?"
he asked, with some hesitation. If she
did not know it would be worse than foil
Ish to warn her.
But her eyes met his in significant re-
spouse to the question underlying his
spoken one.
81 know she said, quietly; 'you need
not fear shocking mel have known it
for long. But am going to nurse him all
the same, and | shall not break down."
HAS he any claim on your he per-
sisted
Yes. 1t is partly my fault that he is
what he is Had been brave enough
might have saved him-once"
''Ahl" was the long drawn monosyllable
that came from the doctors lips. ltmeant
a great deal. He had seen sufficient of life
during the course of his hard working
years in the East End to guess at the facts
OF the story pretty correctly.
A man who had been a gentleman, dy-
ing of drink and dissipation; woman,
still young and very beautiful, bound to-
gether by some past, unforgotten and I'M
regretted-it was easy TO piece together
such a romance as this.
But the doctor came across so many
queer stories during his days work that
he had no time to speculate concerning
them. All he now wanted was to do the
best he could for his patient, and to see
that he was left in capable hands. And
those of the woman before him seemed
thoroughly capable, even though she had
heart disease and would not last long un-
der the stress and excitement of the life
she was leading.
1t was pity. because she was a fine
creature; but, after all, it was no business
of his! So he went on giving her direc-
tons, and told her that in case of neces-
sity she could send for the man who lived
on the opposite side of the landing-a big,
powerful coal HEAVIER, who was under OBJ
legations to him, and who would gladly
come to her assistance. Then he took up
his hat and left her there alone with the
sleeping man-and the fair haired girl by
the fire.
When he had gone she sank on her
knees by the bedside.
ooh, God, why did we not die-both of
us-on that dreary October day, long ago?
1t would have been bearable then. and we
could have passed out into the night and
the darkness--together. You were mine
then, darling, and | was yours! 1t
wouldn't have been so bad to face it hand
in hand But-now!" Here she stopped
for a moment, and the sound of low sob
bling fell on her ears. She trembled vio-
"Now | belong to God, and must do His
work." she said resolutely, setting her
teeth and frowning. And, as for you,
Julian, you are in all probability hers
What have got to do now is to save you
for her."
Mastering her feeling of repugnance she
crossed the room and put her hands on the
girls shoulder. You must stop that, !"
she said in a firm voice eff you want to
crying at once"
The girl gave queer sort of choking
sound, making an effort to obey. Then
she looked up wonderingly. She was a
rather pretty, fair haired creature, very
young, and apparently very much accus-
toned to being commanded. Her big,
blue eyes had frightened stare in them,
and every now and then when any one
spoke suddenly she would start and shrink,
as though dreading blow to follow.
''Who are you? What is your name,
mean ?" asked Captain Kitty.
Me? Lor, I'm only 'Meliar" she an
swered at once, beginning to rub her eyes
with her not too clean apron, preparatory
to entering upon an account OF herself;
then, with wistful gaze across the room,
He amt a-goin' TO die, is he? thought
as 'ow twas only the jimjams he'd got;
but the doctor e says it's bad job, an is
ribs is broke! But he'll get better, don't
you think2"
Eyes, think he will, if you and l do
our best for him. Now, 'Melia, l want
you to take note for me to headquarters as
soon az it's light, and then get me tele-
graph FORM Where is the nearest office ?'
'Meiia thought moment.
There's an orfis next door but one
round the corner-R. Green, grocer an
confecsh' ner, general post orfs, an tele-
graft! Will that do? 1t won't be open
afore 'ari-past seven, though.
Yes, that will do. Now you had better
wash your face and lie down for an hour
or two, and | will watch. Is there vacant
room near this ?"
'Melia nodded
"One mex door. People lei only the
day before yes'day. Got nothin' in It but
cap of shavin's. Never mind; I'll tyke
blanket, and lie on the shavin's till you
call me-if-if you're quite sure as he
won't miss me-"
Il will tell you if he asks for you" re-
piled Captain Kitty, colby.
The girl turned her big, vacant, blue eyes
on the other, as the tone struck her with
establishment; but the Salvationist waved
her away imperiously.
The next few hours were like years. as
the woman watched by the side OF her long
lost love.