The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-04-06

give him my health-my life! l have
none to gainsay me, whatever happens.
am accountable only to myself. Esric
need not know"
my poor child" said the physician,
in deep pity, "he will know nothing
he is almost entirely unconscious--but
/ have doubts about this"
You must have noner' cried the
girl, passionately. Don't you see it
| is all / can do? Can / ask him to for
give-to take me back-I who have so
cruelty wronged him? Could things
ever be the same between us if l did?
But let him live, and one day he may
be happy again"
The doctor slightly shook his head
he did not think his patient was a man
| likely to mend a broken life in that
| easy fashion. But he heard all the
girl had to urge, and questioned her in
his turn. Certainly this was the only
possible way TO sustain Esric Deve-
reux's sinking life-but it might fail;
ten chances to one it would; and in
this operation of TRANSMISSION of blood,
now scarcely ever practised, there are
hidden dangers The girl pleaded fran
tically with sobs and tears, and ut last
DIR. Hall consented.
The patient himself knew nothing
about it; he lay in the lethargy that
precedes death; and was only family
conscious at intervals There was
very little chance that he would be
aware of Dorothy's presence in his
room. Indeed, when she entered it she
stood by his side for full minute
without his stirring. She was calm;
not even the keen-eyed doctor was able
to do more than guess at what was in
her heart The girl herself seemed
scarcely to feel at all. Before her,
senseless, dying, lay the man she had
loved passionately through all her
angry mistrust and injustice, as truly
struck down by her hand as if she had
used an actual weapon; yet never a
culver came over her beautiful face,
and she turned away with dry eyes.
She went through the painful opera
ton without a murmur-nay, with an
eXultant smile. Each drop of her blood
transfused into the veins Of the dying
man was so much towards atom ement.
Yet DR.. Hall doubted if the truest
atonement would not have been a
frank confession of wrong only there
was no accounting for the intrusion of
that woman's shame.
81 don't think we would misunder-
stand her. though" said the doctor,
when it was all over, and Dorothy had
of,,ll
was watching his patient, for whom
incessant care was more then ever nee
essary; and his eyes rested tenderly on
the face whose beauty mortal sickness
had not marred, but etherealized. 81
must see the child tomorrow. | have
promised to tell her myself how he
goes on"
Still living" was his report to
Dorothy the next day; and he went
back to DevereuX, at whose side he
almost lived. The woman, healthy,
vigorous, recovered rapidly; the man,
who, besides anguish of soul, had en-
dured enough cold and famine to shat
ter a less fine constitution, struggled
painfully with death though he did
not care for life. For two days, hour
by hour, the fight went on; and Dor
othy passed those terrible hours in
frantic prayers.
Then life conquered. but after all
she has done him cruel kindness"
thought the physician. What has
life to give him? If l had not passed
her my sacred word l would tell him
that she has saved him."
$50 we are not going to lose you
yet" he said, cheerfully, coming to the
young mans bedside one morning:
though you have not had as good
night as hoped"
DevereuX's only answer to this
promise of life was to look up in the
kind face with eyes full of pain.
Don't you care to live?" said the
doctor, huskily, You are young
you have friends-position-
Devereux silently turned his eyes
away. They wandered over the room
as if they sought something. An odd
feeling crept into the doctors heart.
What is it you want-or is it that
You miss something's" he said.
Nothing" Devereux murmured; but
constantly the doctor detected that
searching, wistful glance. He began
to understand The young man grew
stronger in spite of his apathy-the
physical need of life triumphed; and
one day he began to ask questions:
What had he talked about when he
was delirious? Who had been with
him-only the doctor and the nurse?
mo one else, and we don't notice
sick peoples chatter" said Dr. Hall,
smiling.
II thought there was some one else"
said Devereux, with sigh; perhaps
it was dreams"
II dare say Who did you dream off"
Il don't know when it was-rve got
so confused about time. didn't see
her-l thought she was in the room.
Did you let her come? She might if |
were dying"
The doctor, startled, did not immedi-
ately answer, and Devereux went on
softly to himself:
''She was nere-I felt her. ! don't
think it was a dream. Doctor" lifting
himself and looking eager, you don't
answer me-did she Gomez"
Hush" said the doctor, soothinClv.
Eyes, she was here-Dorothy Clifford"
-