The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-11-05

Dearest, no harm Ml4t come 10 you, inc DIS
Der turned, touched an electric button, and Q
physician soon entered the room.
Il is simply TO toll you, Doctor, that the
fever increases and a wild attack OF delirium
teizes her occasionally, when she calls loudly
Tor her mother.
She is recovering now from the effects Of
the last Opiate; listen" she whispered, and
both physician and nurse bent over tbeir pa
Geut To catch her words.
Dear mamma, knew you would come. am
ryiHg, darling; only kiss me. am Raymond &
wife, aud soross the sweet young face came an
expression Of wild anxiety. She spranR from
the couch with that unnatural strength wit
messed so often In delirium, aud cried in an
Ruish oh, Raymond, our secret! our secret
could not keep il any longer"
Gently laying her patients burning head on
fresh pillow. the SISTER aided by all the med
iCal man could suggest endeavored 10 s0Othe
the young sufferer and to get her into an arti-
bclal siumber that might rest the poor racked
brain.
Even As she lay In the grasp Of dangerous
mRlady Eleanor RomRine's beauty and periec.
tiOn OF young womanhOod were apparent. in
her voice was the touch Of culture, in her
movements a sweet grace aud her features be-
tokened lineage Of high degree. At last she
slept
tnd Ar he walked down the main corridor to
bis Office he decided that the presence Of hUs-
band OF mother IN that sick room Was neces-
Bary 10 the recovery Of his patient
Two weeks before Rn elegant carriage had
stopped at the entrance Of this private hospital.
a llveried attendant left note. On the same
afternoon handsome but plainly dressed young
woman had been usheTed into the Doctors Office.
She seemed to be in state OF acute but silent
misery, and so she remained until the violence
OF disease revealed 60 physician and nurses
what tho intensity Of her soul anguish had
been.
After leaving the young patient DR. Melville
entered his dimly-lighted sSnctum. Every
thlng was arranged TO invite tired body aud
81 OVertaKed brain 10 the sweet indulgence OF
rest In the inner room was the dainty bed
with lis snowy linen turned down. The bath
room adjoining had been arranged many hours
before by an attendant. But the mind of this
busy man, burdened as il was with many per-
pleKities bad one ali-eugrOssng thought this
night He lighted a cigar, turned the embers
M the fireplace put a few logs over the andirons,
and settled himself IN an easy-chair. A few
moments passed and lac was pacing the floor
with hands deeply thrust iD pockets aud head
lowered on his breast. As he walked ia and
iro be clutChed the cigar with bis teeth, then
Hung IL impatcntly into the FIRE. He unlocked
a desk drawer, took from il q note, which he
read aud reread;
Enclosed please find check for services rem
0ered. lf you require money let me know.
Keep al knowledge Of this Maynard girl from
me, her widowed mother, whom she has dis
Rraced forever"
swell, madame, we win see about this"
end the note WAS returned 10 the drawer.
Maynard girl indeed Disgraced
mother Never, by this sweet girl. ] be-
lieye her % be the lawful wife Of an honorable
man, aud even If have 10 ask your presence
here j shall save her life"
Once more his weary feet sought the sick
FOOm. where death, or unbalanced reason,
seemed inevitable. Still HE patient slum-
bercd-a htful, FESTIVE, nervous sort OF sleep
yet IL encouraged him 20 find her oompsrs-
tvely quiet.
As be re-entered his Office the clock struck
the hour Of a. 10. Thank God, the hours
are creeping on. II ] can only get that proud
mother here in time al will be WE'LL"
With these words the Doctor entered his bed
room. having summoned his assistant 20 keep
watch. 80 that tired nature might recuperate 3
little iOr the ordeal Of the dawning day.
Mrs. Romaine louuged upon a sumptuous
eOuch in her boudOir. Exquisite taste had
been displayed in the arrangement Of this
caintv aud elaborate retreat Delicately
tiutcd Tays Of light porvaded the different cor
ners Of the room. Soft silken draperios sur
Of Guy de haupassauts novels as her maid
brushed the dark gray, luxuriant hair.
Marie what hour struck d moment sincef y
"Half-past one, madame"
And has Clarence not yet returned8n
No. madame not yet"
Dear boy, what a comfort he is. Marie, 20
~ hiF room, he may have come in."
The maid had scarcely left her mistress when
She latter covered her face with her hands aud
Ehuddered. No, no, have made no m stake
] mus. not be SO weak"
No. madame, Dir. Clarence II not IN Ia,
F00m." and Marie found her mistress appar.
Hutiy enjoying hor book with renewed In.
tcTest
Far into the early morning hours mistres,
gnd maid keptE vigil, broken at last bv The
sudden opening and closing Of outer and inDel
Vcstbulc do0n. Up the stairs aud into hi,
mothers boudOir the young man sauntored
with unsteady gait
JIG Toll heavily into large tufIetcd chair
with his eyes bl00dshot aud inanimHte hail
bnd clothing dis0rdered aud untidy, he was /
tght that might have pierced the heart OF !
fond mother with keencst anguish.
Say mother-we -s-rollickln'-
tme-al-Cards"
" Clarence, dear, your days OF froIie. u seem
% ne. arc longiAening out beyond reasonabl,
limits"
Aow-I-wiil-not-l n--to-a-scrmol
b--mo- thor"
81 course, boys must have their fun. but a
come nome sober, dear. You are nv onlv bIcg.
tnR now" aud the misguided woman sigbed
Clarence, SIC here" he languidly seate,
himself By her side, where she Indicated. an,
with an air OF bored attention gazed into he
beautiful but cold features with a stppid
heavy, unnatural look
Tie fumes Of liquor and cigars were 90 Of
fcnsIve that Nm. domaine said gently
Ciareuce, ! wanted 10 talk with you but 2
30 your room, child. aud rest"
No wonder the tainted atmosphere clunp 1,
INN, Tainted morally aud physically 3,
nights q dobaucheFy, be was fast becoming
NleeA' Inc mother unconsciOusiy, encourage
Ter soh % load life Of unpFincipled dissl
patton by layishing upon him an unlimited NJ
81 money Aristocracy demands a ful
purse"
on the morning following this bigbt q
yl2ils Mrs. R0maiue slipped her coffee IN be
boudor. James the butler, entered with IN
caro- tray As She lifted the card Mrs Roman
tala James you certainly know that / All
out 10 callers az this hour"
loia the gentleman no. Madame, but \
hala % was case Of life or death. and ne mus
eee YOU hor thin lips compressed. AS wit
sudden fear, she turned slightly pale.
James, ask his Grand" Returning lame
tAId; Tie gentleman win send no message
Madame Ho says hc must see you.U
Dr. Melville, you have presumed your prs,
ence here against my expressed wish = In frigi
ZONES greeted tue Doctor, as Mrs. Romano an
tered toe reception room. hauRhtily.
Your daughter, Madame"
refuse 70 hear auPht OF bert suppose
YOU called Tor another check. Good m0rninI