The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1892-08-24
A TRICK OF TIME.

was leaving the room he beckoned[to the
anxious wife, who was also the sick
mans nurse and she stepped outside the
room door to hear what he had to say.
1t was all done in pantomine but the
monstrous distorting shadows made by
the turned down light revealed the mes
sage to the sick man as well as words
could have told it,
And preternatural acuteness of hear
ing made every word spoken on the out
side landing as distinct as if uttered in the
sick mans ear. He smiled-oh, such
wan and wearyEsmile,a he listened, with
out effort, to conversation about him
self
This was what they were saying:
"He cannot possibly last longer than
midnight. 1t will be necessary to have
your friends with YOU" the doctor said
gently, "but the passing will be pain
less am sure, as he is very weak"
but, doctor, he can not, must not die
SO soon! How can you be sure? | have
heard you yourself say that while there
is life there is hope" answered the wife,
her voice fearful and wayering.
II have not forbidden you to hope"
said the doctor grimly, and with this
obscure bltof philosophy he went his
way.
The wife of the sick man went back
to his bedside. She had cried and wiped
away her tears, so that he should not see
them.
TRY and sleep, rdear," she said, lay
ing her hand tenderly on the wide open
eyes, "the doctor wants you to sleep.
He says you will not be better until you
do"
What else did he say?'
His voice was quite strong. 1t gave
her courage to tell a necessary lie.
"He said you would be better to-mor-
row.
LENA, TIL sick man was speaking
with energy now-"I heard what he said
You need not d9cieve me, dear l shall
die at midnight"
ooh, David, that was cruel, and it is
not true, Why, you look almost well.
l will call father and mother to see you.
Perhaps they can make you believe"
"Wait, dear, until after midnight.
We two will keep watch together until
then. You see l am not afraid, nor
must you be, brave little wife"
1t was a watch of happy dreams for
one, of agonized suspense for the other.
Suddenly thought occurred to the
wife. She had heard of its being done
with the best effect. David was sweetly
sleeping, and she set the clock on, 50
when he awakened he would know that
the fatal hour was tided over
He could see the clock. When he
awakened it should be three-that would
be past midnight, and he would take
new courage and life.
She held the striking bell while she
turned the hands noiselessly, and he did
not awaken-not for half hour did he
stir
Then:
what time is it?" he asked family
sit is just striking 81 answered his
wife quickly.
He looked surprised Once, twice he
swept his hand across his face as if
something had )me between him and
the world about HIM, then he said in 4
low voice:
cit does not matter. 1 cannot see."
One-two-three!
"Do you hear that, David?'
eyes, [ hear.
"And you know, dearest, that you
will live?"
He family clasped her hand as it clasp
ed his. 1t was hard for him to articu-
late, but she leaned close to him and
eau Int these words:
"The-doctor-was-right Dear-little
perjurer good-bye?"
And just when the clock was striking
II his soul passed out on the midnight
wave, to the unknown country where
time is not Detroit Free Press.
-S-4sb-.-
A TENNESSEE girl educated in a fash
ionable female college at Nashville, com