The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-09-16
He vowed he would never again sit
In the presence of that unnatural young

Two nights later he called at tho ,
Bennett home, and was met at the door
bv Matilda. He had walked on air thus
far. his mind full of the pleasantest an
ticipations, his face the picture OF good
humored happiness The sardonic and
the human met, and the human was
yanouished; the smile was swept away.
Not a word from her; with disdaln-
full toss of her head she motioned him
to scat in a side room There he sat
for a full half hour in darkness. He
wa, nonplussed. Surely Sarah must be
absent. he thought, and while he looked
into space and racked his brains the
door opened softly and the motherly
voice of Mrs. Bennett broke the still
ness.
"Sarah is very sick. The doctor il
with her." was all she said.
Frank trembled with an indefinable
dread. The perspiration sprang in |
great beads to his forehead and he felt |
weak.
Cannot be of some assistance?' ne
asked, in voice husky with emotion.
mot now. In q few moments we
will know what it is. But can see
from the DOCTORS manner 1t is serious.
And she left him in mire OF doubt
| and despair.
Soon he heard voices in low CONVEX
sation in the adjoining room. lie crept
| to the door and listened. A masculine
voice was speaking now. 1t was the
| doctors.
TT is diphtheria. There is hope, but
she il delirious, and the case Is grave
one," he said.
With a dread cry he burst from tho
room and ran toward the sick-oeo, ou''
quick as he was, there was one quicker.
ISLAND bacls!'' she commanded. ana
Frank. more the inferior now than
| over unconsciously covered before that
;mperious will. He knew it was use
less to oppose her, and his very hesi-
fancy brought him. to a realization OF
his wild foolishness
He slept in the Bennett house tna'
night. In the morning nc was as,
founded to learn that Matilda had
sncnt the night at the side OF her sick
sister. The doctor had warned her OF
danger. but she smiled and said sne
lnrw not fear. When she left the
room il was only to perform some err
rand OF mercy. and she returned lmme-
diately. The physician saw hers was
! no ordinary mind. and, calling her
aside he gave minute, explicit dlrec'
t;ons for the use of the medicine, the
, General care of the patient and Tor
l Emergency. For q week she continued
thus-faithful as the Angel OF Mercy,
, ;nteil;gent as the physician himself
! She was sleepless, apparently, f''
: night and day, whether her eyes were
|. closed or open, she missed not tns
slightest move of the patient :.
a All save the physician were subordi
nate To her. These two now thorough
: " understood each other, and tnef
combined efforts saved the LIE OF Tn
I sufferer. In week the crisis na'
= passed and Dr. Thurston for the mrs
: time smiled. Matilda must take a res
4 now. ordinary care, months OF it, woui'
n finish the task so nobly begun ana sus
tanned.
= Matilda did take q rest She siep'
nobody remembers how long ana wne
she awoke it was in the midst OF
:. raging fever The doctor smile iaoee
He waited. noted the symptoms and a.
n tually wept. so strong was the impre'
g sion She had made upon him, ss ne pr
- nounced it a repetition of the first cas-
There was no delirium, but the q,
!. ease seemed to have q stronger no'
- this time. The many days and nign,
r spent in the vitistcd air OF the sicl
:. room had made deep inroads on the sy
!" tenn weakened by loss of sleep and
:, food. and the sick girl grow wors
:. One ilav the doctor came from the roof
y and the family knew the worst was
n be expected.
.Matilda cannot live beyond tome
.n row." was the information tnat y
= like a thunderclap on the ears
"a father. mother and Frank Johnston
- They had never known her befol
now they were ready to worship NJ
"a and they fell on their knees ana Pfss
to God to spare her life.
AZ The night passed and the day oroi
~ = heavy day it was-slxy leadcn,
.r rain dashing and beating against !
IN uanes-a day for the edict OF 1udgme
az n come. The watchers sat still, 9
~ not a word. The food, untoucheds
~ on the table. Nothing but the dish
vas wall of wind and ceasclcss patter OF n
-. broke the silence.
~. At four o'clock the doctor walked
rect from the sick room.
..She is dying" he said, "and wal
ing to see you. Step only to the door;
ing enter is death again" Strong q
but that he was, he broke down at this,
AZ throwing himself upon the sofa he CT
SCI like child.
on Bowed in deepest grief the tn
HISS silently moved toward the door.
isc. saw them. and faint smile OF recoa
lost ton PASSED her face. She moved
yer in great agony. A convnlsive uphes
nee Of her entire body came--thcn anotl
ark' Her eyes were lusterless, but they
'cer with a heavenly joy, and these ws
1Ai, came forth:
ked .T-,have-donc - my = duty
ON the spirit left its earthly home 5or
of everlasting glory.
VEN Frank and Sarah are married
ank and chubby little Matilda 70
en- around their knees and lisps:
snce aMamma, pleath tell me all about
s. sister" detroit Free Press
49, Not Fitted for II.
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