The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-27

4u'o ireo VI lnpatlence. Awomnn opened
the door for him-a lean, miserable crea-
ture, with pale eyes void Of expression.
Her thin hair hung over her neck, her cali.
CO dress fell Imply from her sharp Shout.
ders. She stared ut the doctor as he EN-
tered. and he could see there were teurs i'm
her childlike eyes.
"Joe's SICK" she said slowly, gazing into
his face.
WHATS the matter2n
"He--he's goin to die maybe,o she fall.
tered piteously.
mo, hope not.
"Joe's SICK" she repeated in a whisper,
Shaking her head.
WHO'S Gomez" asked voice from the
bed in corner of the room. Nellie, girl,
who are you talkin WITH"
ut is DIR. Ford, whom you sent for" said
the physician, approaching the bed
One candle lighted dimly the untidy,
comfortless place, showing stove and a
man with tumbled hair and rough beard
lying among the pillows of his bed
"Oh, the DOCTOR" said he, with feverish
eyes staring from under shaggy brows.
How long have you been ill?" asked Dr..
Ford. sitting down on n rickety chair
It's u week since l give up, but Pvc
been feeling bad for long time"
The doctor placed his little thermomete.
lently.
'Joe's SICK" moaned the girl, peering
out of the shadows.
The sufferer seemed to be irritated by
the repetition of these words and made an
impatient gesture, but rs he did SO glanced
pitifully at the slouching figure
What you need most is good nursing,"
said the doctor after examining the pa.
tient.
The mans face darkcned. The woman
lowered aimlessly over the stove
"She's my wife," said the sick man
hoarsely. II know she amt quite like
other folks. But she's peaccable and good;
not bold and noisy like other women. i
pitied her first off; then got kind O. fon,
of her. And she"--
The girl had crept to the bedside and
stood there with her vacant, troubled face.
fumbling with the pillows
joe" she said, much as mother might
speak her baby's name.
She can't do nothing moro for me nor
for herself" whispered the man rs he
clasped one of the tluttcring hands in his
Poor thing" murmured the doctor
II can earn good wages when am well :"
went on the invalid, land l did the cook
ing and kept the house tidy then. Now
everything's going wrong. She spoils all
AT this moment something on the stove
boiled over with n loud hiss and filled the
room with the odor of scorching milk. The
girl started, then moved toward the ruined
mess.
"Oh, dear mc!' said the sick man under
his breath. Don't burn yourself, Nellie. ~
he called as if to child
ITS scorched, joe" she said, the tears
overlooking mt last. i
Never mind, my girl, throw It away.
we can get plenty more. You see, DOCTOR"
he said in his hoarse voice. II can't speak
rough to her She's my wife"
The doctor sat with bent head. speech-
less.
"Pll send you nurse, my man." he said
after pause. "What you need is good
care Will come again tomorrow" And
with low bow to man and wife, now
clinging together hand in hand, the doctor
said good night and went on his way.
THANK you, SIR" called out the sick
man, much moved.
The girl started and wiped the last tear
from her lnshes
Two hours later n capable, kind hearted
woman was installed us nurse in the little
nome by the river. She brought with her
ioou Ill abundance and comforts of all
kinds.
DR.. Ford drove slowly homewnrl
Though it was late bright light shon.
from the parlor window as he STONED
The glow OF n wood fire illuminated the
room as he entered. But no one came to
meet him. His wife sat in her rocker fast
asleep. The lamp threw radiance over
her bronze brown hair and one delicate
cheek as she slept with head against the
crimson back of the chair. Her face wore
sweet, childlike expression, with touch
OF pathos about the lips, and her hands Inv
closely clasped in the lap of her gown or
soft dove color.
Near the fire stood n white draned toble
holding Il tempting little repast, carefully
arranged. From slender glass in the
midst hung one red rose. The doctor knew
She had cut it for him from her favorite
plant. On pretty plate reposed the flaki-
est and most delectable of mince pies
DR.. Ford stopped and kissed his wife's
fair cheek reverently. She stirred, then
opened her large eyes slowly.
"Oh, you have come. / am sorry T was
not awake to meet you. But here's q
mincc pie. | sent over to your mother for
one."
Hang the pie" cried John Ford. "EIin.
or, am IL bruter' t
"Oh, no. dear-only man instead of an
archangcl, as l once believed you to be.
But never mind. How do you like nv
dress?"
1T is divine and you are an angel, Elm
or. But, dearest, come and sit by me. I
nave Just been to see Il gentleman. Iwant
to tell you all about it."-Bufralo News.
The Lightninglike Loon.
MI.