The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-27

woman's heart, then. with that peculiar
ly soft touch doctors have. felt the
head, covered with soft golden curls,
the nurse anxiously watching him with
glass of diluted brandy ready in her
hand.
what I thought" said the doctor,
now gently raising the pretty head on
his left arm. There is life still, thank
God. Conclusion of the brain, but no
other injuries, think. Give me tea
spoonful of that
He took it and carefully put it be-
tween the bloodless lips at the same
time speaking to her in short distinct
way:
Swallow this, there's good girl"
A very few drops passed, but some
did, for there was the slightest possible
movement of the throat muscles. The
conclusion might be severe but there
was certainly life, and therefore hope.
The doctor repeated his efforts till as
much as he wished had been admins
tered.
1t was now nearly ten o'clock.
Hastings looked at his watch and
babe the nurse 60 to the kitchen and
get cup of beef tea warmed. adding
message to the matron relative to
another patient; it would be eight or
ten minutes before the nurse could be
back-as the doctor intended.
Directly he was alone his face
changed, hardened to that kind of des-
perate sternness which is a mans only
refuge when he dare not yield one
hairs breadth to emotion lest he break
quite down. He bent down, sought for
the pocket Of the well-made and we'll
worn dress Of the insensible sufferer,
and took out all that was in it-a few
/ pence, small key, handkerchief, and
small much-worn purse. The two
first he at once replaced, then the hand
kerchief after he had made sure it had
no initials on it. The purse he opened;
it contained sovereign, some loose
silver. and card on which was printed
Mrs. Godfrey, Dressmaker, Bristol"
| The man set his teeth as he replaced
the purse, but kept the card that was
such clew, possibly, to its possesors
identity. Did he know 1t, and some
story? Or was he trying to read it that
he bent down now, with eyes that in a
passion of agony, between hope and
dread, seemed to search every feature
and line of the fair unconscious face, so
delicate, so soft. so full Of suffering?
''No-no!"-the mans white lips
breathed with On intense relief-and
something more than relief, surely-in
his eyes-"not one hard line, not one
trace of such utter shame and miseryl
She has worked-suffered, but-oh. if
the past could only be undone."
That saddest, most hopeless cry of
the soul, whether it be SHINING or
sinned against The word once spoken,
the deed once done may be repented OF,
atoned for, but they are beyond recall
by any power human or divine.
A moment later the nurse came back
to find the doctor quietly waiting for
her. She also brought a night-dress
from the matron-''in case it is needed,
SIR" nurse said, as the doctor was Civ
ing the patient some broth in the same
way he had the brandy.
Thanks" he said, "just what did
want, for it will be days at least before
this poor young creature can be moved.
There is nothing that can be done but
keep up strength and wait for some re-
turn to consciousness. You get her un.
dressed and into bed, whilst go to the
ward again. I'll send in another nurse
to help You"
Thank you, sir"
He went away then to the other suf-
ferers. Several days passed laden
with those responsible cares and anx-
iety which only doctors can know.
Friends of the patients were communi- |
Gated with, Of course Two poor crea-
lures died of their injuries, but the rest |
went on well, and within ten days were /
all able to leave or be removed to their /
several homes. Only the unknown pa
tient in DR.. Hastings own room still 1
lay unconscious, though the signs of life /
daily inproved-more pulse, the respir- !
alton stronger and more regular. with \
now an almost entire cessation OF those /
painful lorg-drawn breaths after sus- |
pension of respiration, which seemed /
like the last grin struggle OF life /
against death.
The nat-on's search of the patients I
clothes could End not a clew 10 her 1
name or friends. and no inquiries were /
made by anyone
Poor child.' the good lady said
pityingly TO Hastings Perhaps she /
is a widow, young though She looks; !
and she IS poor. evidently, and friend
less"
Yes, IL seems So" said the doctor.
"but We shall see when she RECEIVERS
consciousness
Isn't the room rather dark, doctor"
NO; drew down the biind"--ttls 4
triae shortly but in a low Euur1ur.
she IS gradually coming to-al to
day. and I'm anxious about her Cant
have TOO strong light when her eyes
open again
Re had been constantly Il ard ont,
and when at length the fsour came fo-
the night s.zE 10 replace The c3y
nurses. DR. Hastings. after iassa.!y
watching the patient for seTeral lnia-