The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-10-10
HIS FAIR T
BY ROBERT h. LOCKWOOD.

MS DeO, and Doctor Banks had lust set
tied himself for a final snooze, when
his nlght-bell rang furiously. The good
doctor sprang up and put his head out
of the window.
What is wanted9" he called.
us that Doctor Banks?"
The voice was a clear treble, and he
could distinguish a female form in the
street below.
Yes" he answered; "what do you
want?"
"Oh! doctor, said the voice tremul
ously; please come with me at once.
Ny sister is dying, fear"
III be right down." called the doc
tor, and, hurriedly dressing himself, he
descended and opened the door.
Come in" he said; II will be with
you imm9 diately."
AS his visitor stepped into the full
blaze of the hall light, the doctor saw
that she was very beautiful. Her fea-
lures, although pinched and pale, were
~clear-cut and classic. Her voice was
low and well modulated, and, in spite
of her apparent poverty, she had the
air Of a woman Of refinement.
The doctor was soon ready, and to-
gether they left the house. She led
him by many turns, through narrow
streets, until she opened a door into a
long, dark passage between two dwell
ings and passed in. The doctor fol
lowed her without hesitation. From
the passage they emerged into a court
on three sides of which faced a series
of dismal and dirty tenements. Into
one of these his conductress led him
and up some rickety stairs. On the
fourth landing she opened a door and
entered an apartment. In a moment
they stood beside a pallet on whichlay
a woman. The invalid stirred, and
turning her van face to them asked
feebly:
"Have you brought the doctor,
Alice3"
Eyes, dearest, " and turning to him:
"Dr. Banks, this is my sister, Miss
Carnold."
The change his name made on the
sick woman was electric. From utter
listlessness was aroused to the intensest
excitement. A deep flush o~verspread
her face, and her eyes sparkled like
Goals as she raised herself upon her
elbow and gazed into his face.
cit is not him." she muttered; yet
~-yes-there is a likeness!"
She paused, and abruptly addressing
the doctor, said: Had you ever a
brother, DR.. Banks?"
Her voice was clear and resonant, in
marked contrast to her previous NUT
terings. The doctor answered slowly
and deliberately:
Yes, madam"
"And his name was Henry?"
Eyes"
where is he nOw?'
A dark shade passed over his face.
81 do not know" he said; Il have
not heard from him for three years.
The last word I had was a letter he
wrote me from California, telling of his
engagement to a San Fran cisco girl
a paragon of beauty and goodness"
"That paragon is before you-or,
rather, the wreck your faithless brother
has left Of her"
The doctor caught his breath. miss
Carnold," he said, this is a terrible
surprise to me! But, come now, your
sister shall tell me all. Meanwhile,
you must not excite yourself, but must
obey my directions strictly, if you wish
to get WE'LL"
The doctor found that hers was no
organic trouble, but rather a general
exhaustion of natures powers, arising
from worry and insufficient food. He
gave her a quieting potion, and she fell
into a gentle slumber. He then asked
Miss Alice to give him an account of
how the trouble with his brother had
happened.
In answer she related that her sister
had met Henry Banks at a reception.
He was young and handsome and had
won her heart. Her father gave his
consent to their marriage and the day
was set. Then followed Mr.. Carnold's
death, and the fall from wealth to DOW
erty. He left nothing out his debts.
But the climax of their troubles came
when Henry Banks disappeared, leav-
ing a letter for his fancee stating that
he had decided to start anew elsewhere
and she would never see him again.
The two women then worked their way