Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-01-06
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CHAPTER XXI.


Louise thought it best to say nothing
to her parents of Harry Parsons pro-
posal. She very naturally concluded that
the matter was at an end, and knowing
the anxiety that weighed on her fathers
mind already, she was 10th to add
anything to it. John had not forgotten
Scraggs' words, but after watching
Pearson closely on the occasion of his
visits. saw nothing to warrant him in
adopting Scraggs' idea. His deport-
mcnt was always that of perfect gem
tieman. and there was absolutely moth
ing in it to indicate any intentions,
honorable or otherwise, relative to
Louise.
Two weeks passed quietly away after
Harry's proposal, and during the time
he made several visits to Green's, al
ways bringing with him some delica-
cics for the sick woman. He often ex-
pressed wish to render John more
substantial aid, and John had always
accepted the wish for the deed.
DIR. Bascom made regular daily visits
TO his patient, but as yet the improve
ment in her condition was scarcely per-
ceptible- The fever was losing its
power, it is true, but it had had a long
and she was weak and feeble.
''She is in a fair way to recover the
doctor announced; ''but she is so near
the verge of the grave that it would
require but little to place her in it. She
needs strength, and we must endeavor
to build up her constitution. Good food
Is the thing she stands most in need of
now-good, wholesome diet and plenty
of it."
Yes" said John. ''but that. / fear,
shall not be able to give her / have
raised the last dollar that can raise
mortgaged everything that can mort
gage, and now it is all gone, and there
is not morsel of food in the house /
don't know what in the name of God 1
am to do next. l cannot sit here and
see my wife die of hunger, and know
of no way to prevent it. What am to
do, doctor? What can do?"
Green" replied the doctor. If I
could I'd help You. But L can't. am
working for nothing, for my patients
have no money to pay me, and 1 have
scarcely enough TO live on. haven't
dollar. If had you should have part
of it. But I'll see if 1 can't manage
in some way to raise some money
for You. don't know what
success I'll have, and can't
encourage you to hope for anything. 1
can only try. 1t is not necessary for
me to come and see the patient again
for several days, but if l am so fortu-
nate as to do anything for you I'll come
at once
Thank you, Doctor said John fer
vently as he clasped the old doctors
hand ssNnr1 hara olr
under a world of obligations to YOU,
and if l am never able to repay you,
God will
''Oh, never mind that, Green.' the old
man said, never mind about that.
We're all human beings. and am no
more than human in doing what | do.
There's nothing in it but what ANYBODY
ought to do"
Perhaps not" said John, ''but it's
what few do nevertheless. Nv heart
Is full, doctor, and cannot express my
feelings. But this / can say: You have
done more for US than any other per-
son on earth, and my heart, my thanks
and my prayers are yours. You came
TO us a stranger, and you have been
source of light TO us. You have stood
by us like brother, and you have
sLFeu Ihe ire OF my dearest one. God
bless you, doctor, God bless you"
John could say no more, for his feel
ing overmastered him, and he broke
down completely. The old doctor was
seriously DISTURBED, and for awhile he
hdgeted about uervously. He was a
modest man, and whatever good deeds
he performed were performed solely
for the good there was in them, and
not for the sake of the praise they
might bring him. He had acted the
part of friend to John Green and his
wife simply because he felt it his duty.
Green" he said, laying his hand on
Johns shoulder, don't talk that way.
Let's not make any fuss over trifiing
matters like that. I'm glad my efforts
IN this case have not been unavailinp,
AID hope your wife will soon be recov-