The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-27

every nerve every minute gland OF cor
noreai tissues had been like electrical wires
AID cells surcharged with ethereal agony
At last there had come a benumbed feeing
that thrilled like the vibration Of harp
strings suddenly stilIed. l could hear the
hmm Of voices like the faT-0ff drone OF bees,
and the sound seemed soothing me into
strange peace. / was aware that somebody
passed a light before my. eyes. and after
repeating the action several times, replaced
the nigh. lamp on the stand without the
shade I knew also that somebody stepped
10 the window aud threw it wide open,
while a voice. seemingly borne beyond the
confines Of space, and gathering force as 1t
approached the boundaries Of aurcular
demonstration, until II doomed like the
deem bass Of The sea, uttered these words:
''IHe poor fellow is going fast; give his
spirfta chance TO free itself"
DO YOU believe in that old woman rot?"
asked another. and from the region or en-
changed drowsiness where 1 seemed 10
finger I caught myself listening for the
third voice s. bich l seemed to know would
sneak next And I didn't listen in vain,
for even while l struggled with the unfor-
seen forces that were hurrylng me away
Roman's voice. clear and strong and sweet
as the notes Of the bell that was forever
ringing in my ears. said:
Eve believe in Gods mercy and we be-
lieve that this pool paln-raeked body IS
arout TO throw open the door by which the
shirt goes free. If closed window hinder
,. its going we viii thIow every window in
The old hospital az wide as the sky.
land give the rest Of the poor devils in
the ward a chance to catch a mortal chill"
resuonded the second voice. " on are as
consistent as the rest of your sex. Miss
Brady"
While yet the echo of the head dec
te:'s voice beat the air in circles Of receding
sound | suddenly ceased TO think, TO hear,
10 fee. to be. And yet l was. l knew
By some newy developed sense that lay
mute and white up0n the cot which had
supported my body so long and that the
fragrance CT prayer hoated through the
awful stiffness Of the room. 1t had no
form nor sound, and yet something within
ne perceived il as the ianguid senses per-
ceive the fragrance Of new-mOwD hay upon
a serene June morning.
continuous pageant of the most ser
nphic vision unturled IN endless progress
sion before me. ! saw the green hills Of
my chiidboOd's home lift themselves
like emerald bubbles in q haze OF enchanted
air, I saw the sapphire OF tie sea set in
rim Of violet dawns and daffOdil Moons. l
saw the stretch OF desert sands like drifts of
Snow within the compass Of a lonely land.
And i'm the midst OF their beyllGeTlng
vision ! suddenly saw cleaning slab with
a window less room, where something long
and white and still was lying. Drops OF
ice were forming on the edges Of the slab.
and death c0ld stream wRs pouring
across It's shining surface Something that
was not a voice, and which made itself
manifest 70 NE through other channels than
the ear, spoke lightly Of tie grave wherein
| soon should lie.
I'VE will bury him tonight" it seemed
60 say; there will be no friends TO inter-
: IL. 2r~e.-
few days past 10 keep 'stIhs' over hall
day"
''But the law grants even stiff Its
rights" responded the womanly voice had
learned to know; 1--WE have no right to bury
him With such indecent haste"
Right or no right, law or no law, he'll
have to get cut OF this tonight" replied the
first voice.
The contention had no effect upon the
sonnet hing within my ice-bound frame which
still held its mysterious connection with
sentiert life. That fament, fine as the
gOssamer shred by which the spider binds
together Tie ether and the rose, seemed an
electric wire charged with messages from
an unseen world. | could hear the rise and
fall Of angelic cborEses, like the dip of
sOngful seas. and clear. and sweet. and dis
tInct, adoye them all. / heard the woman's
voice | learned from out the cold embrace
81 death to note.
''1Ie shall not be buried tonight, nor yet
Tomorrow, If that flush continues on his
face
What flush are you talking about?"
responded the doctor, bringing the light he
carried nearer the face that lay upon the
marble slab, where the Ice drops were
forming. 'cTystal by crystal, like the beads
one threads upon a growing strand.
why the flush we have both noticed
since we stood here; | knew by the intent
gaze you bestowed Upon what generally de-
h.tf rrfa hat liz
covered it when / did. and I demand that
the BODY be removed TO the ward until we
investigate the case"
That flush is only the reflection Of your
red dress" laughed the doctor.
: "Y GU are wasting time" said the nurse:
SCI shall call a stretcher to carry this living
man out of the morgue; afterward we may
resume our conversation"
you shall do nothing OF the sort" re-
piled the doctor, placing his hand as be
spoke upon the outstretched arm of the
nurse. with compelling force, lyon have
made fool of yourself over this fellow
from the first; not q tanger-on in the ward
tut what noticed youf interest in his hand
some face. You are bound to me by ties
you cannot break. and rather than see you
under the eDchantment of this fellow again
/ simply will smother the feeble pulse of
life that fingers in his veins. and make
surety Of his DEATH"
ssYou may be a villain, but you are not
a coward, DR.. Ware" replied the woman
whose hand he still held. ITO refuse to
give this man the chance TO live would be
the most despicable act of your life, and, so
help me God, will denounce you as a MUIR
derer before the first justice can find. if
you do not instantly summon assistance and
remove this body from this place."
mot so fast, my dear. Every moments
delay extlnguishes more and more the
chance for life, and If the attendants we
q m IN la g al
who will believe your historical story In the
face Of my statement that no sign of life
existed? Women nurses are not In favor
just al present with the board; they are too
sensational. too emotional, too indisereet.
Your bravado will eventuate only in your
own disgrace"
With the bound OF a cat, the nurse, while
be was yet speaking. broke from the GOO
tors OBTAINING hold and reached the door.
Quick as thought she opened it and few
down the long corridor.
Shall the future eternities hold for ME an
other moment fraught with such pain as
thrilled my tortured limbs when the doctors
malignant face bent above my sealed eyes,
and, although conscious OF vast reserve
power, | felt myself unable to move the
Iightest member or lift. By single hairs
weight. the closed lids? / felt his fingers
press the delicate anatomy of my throat,
and knew that he was seeking to throttle
The little life left in my body. Every drop
of blood became a spear of fame TO thrust
nv ouIyering flesh, and the effort MADE 20
groan started what seemed to me TO De
showers of bot blood from every pore.
The sound Of hUrrying feet and clamo riDg
voices stayed the doctors hand before us
null purpose was accomplished. and raising
himself from his sitting posture he greeted
the new corners with brisk, Hurry up.
boysl / thought Miss Brady had fallen
asleep on the way. Lift this fellow up
quickly and carry him to the ward; he Is
good for long lease of life yet"
I never knew how the doctor and MISS
di..atad their auaIrel. Rutl re-