The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-12-31

eheerfully, as he drank his coffee There's
man in camp dying for want of physi-
cian-indeed, for want of good care, [
fancy | am going over after breakfast" "
"Take keer ye don't finish him alto
gether,' laughed the conductor, who, on
the young lady's entrance, had retired re-
spectfully into the background.
Doctor whispered Hazel, as thatgen-
tleman got into his great-coat, ''if there is
anything can do, send for me, please. [
am used to nursing | have taken care of
my mother for years. | should be glad of
something to divert my mind, and wo-
mans help may be useful. viii you do
so ?"
Dr. Barstow looked into the pale, troub
led face, and answered promptly:
"Indeed, I WILL Good-by."
Then he was gone, and Hazel felt more
alone than ever One of the other men, a
Mr. Stone,-a clergyman. somebody volun-
teered the nformation--accompani him,
while some of the passengers starred out
in spite of the storm, to explore, th6dgh
their obliging host warned them not to go
too far.
Hazel sat at the window gazing out upon
the eddying flakes which the whirling
winds drove against the pane. She could
see little else. The other inmates of the
room laughed or joked, or srumbied as
their tastes inclined, restrained somewhat,
in both amusements, by the presence of
the slender figure in the plain dark cloth
dress There was fire downstairs, and
Hazel did not need hat or ulster there.
More than an hour wore away, when the
door opened, and Mr.. Stone appeared.
Miss Dean, the doctor wants you" he
said, and the girl rose at the summons with
a positive sense of relief.
81 am so glad, she exclaimed, speaking
almost uuconsciously, aloud.
The messenger smiled quietly. He had
heard the young lady's story, and knew
that the DOCTOR divining the anxiety on
that young heart, had sent for his nurse as
much out of charity to her as to the pa
tient
1t was only short distance to the miser-
able shanty which the sick man called
home, and Hazel was not sorry therefor.
Through the binding storm progress was
very difficult, but they reached their des-
tination at last.
A man of about fifty, looking, in spite
of his wretched surroundings and unkempt
appearance, like one who at least had been
gentleman, lay on straw, quite uneon-
scious of any ones presence.
The doctor glanced up, with smile,
when Hazel entered. he perceived almost
Immediately that his new assistant belonged
to the helpful order among her sex, and
felt that he had found valuable ally.
81 sent away the miner who was taking
care of him-a rough fellow, but good-na-
tured. 1t seems young man in the
camp-'a rale gintleman,' the Irishman
described him-had been living with the
sick man, whom they call Carlton, before
his illness. He took care of him until day
before yesterday, when he got frightened
and went for the doctor who lives at -.
They tried here to persuade him not to go,
but he would do it. Still think we shall
be able to pull our patient through, Miss
Dean"
Il hope so, was the cheerful answer.
With work to do all the girls native
courage came to the rescue.
''The young man can't get back for
day or two now" continued the doctor.
sit was good thing l turned up. The
sick man needed physician, and nurse"
he added with a smile
The day went by quickly enough to
Hazel and Dr. Barstow, for they had
plenty to do Mr.. Stone brought them
their dinner, and while he was gone the
doctor told her that the young clergyman
was crossing the Rockies to meet his in
tended bride in Portland
"Poor fellow, the narrator concluded,
'.he's dreadfully anxious-his time is grow
ing short
Night gathered about the little shanty
1t was New Years eve. Hazel thought
of her mother anxiously awaiting her
then she thought of the girl expecting her
bridegroom. Never mind 1t was all for
the best now-she was helping some one.
If only her mother grew no worse. The
fear choked her But no that could not
happen. God could not be so cruel
at will be the first New Year my mother
and |, have ever spent apart" she said,
speaking her thoughts aloud. "And it
may be her last one, she whispered, but
could say no more. DR.. BarstOw looked
the sympathy which he had no words to
express, but just then the sick mans eyes
caught Hazel's keen glance. "See, doctor"
she exclaimed. "He is conscious
They watched all night together, Hazel
on the straw once occupied by the absent
man, her companions on the floor. At
last the girls tired eyes closed in sleep;
when she opened them she met the doc
tors smiling brightly at her.
"a happy New Year !" he whispered
"Our patient is better-he is asleep
What a strange New Year Hazel can
never forget it, she can never have another
like it.
The storm had ceased, and the sun shone