The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-04-21
HER poURLE GIFT.

| up III oOillO nuA piAoO.
''Show the lady in," he said, and rose
as slim young figure glided into the
room. Her face was covered with a veil;
her garments were black. She came for
ward quickly.
You are DIR. Hall?'' she said,
"Yes, am. May ask"--
81 will not keep you many minutes"
she said her manner was agitated, her
voice almost trembled "You have pa
tient in your care-Mr. Devereux."
i A little distantly DIR. Hall said again:
eyes"
The girl-she was plainly no more
suddenly threw back her veil, revealing
a pale, lovely face with delicate features.
"You want to know who L am" she
said, land by what right l ask these
questions. have no right, but / beg of
your mercy that you will answer me. 1
heard of his illness-that you almost give
him up. Is it true2'
Eyes, it is" said the doctor gently.
"My name is Dorothy Clifford,' said
the girl. A flush swept over her cheek
as the doctor gave little start. you
know my nameP" she faltered.
"From my patient" said DR.. Hall;
"nothing he has told me-simply the
name he has repeated unconsctously."
"Then, perhaps, you guess" she said
in low voice. Il am that Dorothy he
speaks Of A year ago we were lovers
engaged. l thought had reason to ac-
cuse him of unfaithfnlness. We parted"
''Ah," said the doctor. DO you want
me to let you see him?"
"No-no! l want you to tell me if it
is true that there is but one chance for
him-if can give him that chance! 1t
was all my fault, doctor!-- He was
true; it was my madness that parted US.
You must let me atone-give my life for
his if need be; but he must not know
who saved him!'
'De you know what his one chance is?'
said the doctor, gravely. "A dangerous
operation rarely practised dangerous to
both the persons operated on-what we
call TRANSMISSION of blood"
81 will run the risk" said Dorothy,
with her eyes flashing 81 broke his
heart-I sent him into those hardships
that have shattered his health! l will
give him my bealth-my life! Esric need
not know"--
my poor child" said the physician,
in deep pity; "he will know nothlng-he
is almost entirely unconsciOus-but l
have doubts about this -
The doctor slightly shook his head
he did not think his patient was 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.
The girl pleaded frantcally, with tears
and sobs, and at last DR.. Hall consented.
The patient himself knew nothing
about it; he Ivy in the lethargy that pre-
cedes death, and was only family con-
scous at intervals. There was very lit
tie chance that he would be aware of
Dorothy's presencein his room. Indeed,
when she entered it, she stood by his
side for few minutes before his stirring.
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 in
justice, yet never culver came over her
beautiful face.
She went through the painful operation
without a murmur. Each drop of her
blood transfused into the veins of the dy-
ing man was so much towards atone
ment. IL
'Stll living" was the doctors report
to Dorothy the next day, and he went
back to DevereuX, at whose side he al |
most lived The woman, healthy, vigor.
GUS, rapidly recovered; the man, who,
besides anguish of soul, had endured
enough famine and cold to shatter less |
fine constitution. struggled painfully
with death, though he did not care for
life
Then.life conquered.
''But, after all, she has done him a
cruel Kindness" thought the physician
"What has life to give him?'
$50 we are not going to lose you yet"
he said cheerfully, coming to the young
mans bedside one morning.
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 doc
tor, huskily.
Devereux silently turned his eyes
away. They wandered over the room as
if they sought something. An odd feel
ing 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, and one
day began to ask questions; what he had
talked about when he was deliriousP
Who had been with him-only the doc
tor and nurse?
mo one else, and we don't notice sick
peoples chatter" said DIR. Hall, smiling.
81 thought there was someone else,"
said Devereux, with sigh; perhaps it
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