The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-05-10
HIS FAIR PATIENT.

HIS FAIR PATIENT.
The gray dawn had begun to filter
through the closed blinds at the foot of
his bed and DR.. Banks had just set
tied himself for a final snooze when
his night-bell rung furiously. The
good doctor sprung up and put his
head out of the window.
"What is wanted?" he called.
as that DR.. Banksp"
The voice was clear treble, and he
could distinguish female form in the
street below.
EYES," he answered; "wliat do you
wantP"
"Oh, DOCTOR" said the voice, tremu-
lously, "please come with me at once.
My sister is dying. Ifear."
"Pll be right down." called the doc
tor, and, hurriedly dressing himself,
he descended and opened the door.
"Come in" he said; Il will be with
you Immediately"
AS his visitor stepped into the full
blaze of the haR light the doctor saw
that she was very beautiful. Her
features, 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
an 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 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 door and
entered an apartment. In moment
they stood beside a pallet on which
lay woman. The invalid stirred and,
turning her wan face to them, asked
feebly;
Have you brought the doctor,
Alice?"
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
istlessness she was aroused to the in
tensest excitement. A deep flush over
spread her face and her eyes sparkled
like Goals as she raissd herself upon
her elbow and gazed into his face.
"It is not he," she muttered; "yet-
yes there is 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:
Eyes, madam"
"And his name was Henry"
"Yes.n
@Where is he now?"
A dark shade passed over his face.
81 do not know" he said; have not
heard from him for three years. The
last word I had from him was letter
he wrote me from California, telling
of his engagement to a San Francisco
girl-a paragon of beauty and good
ness"
@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 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 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 sis
ter had met Henry Banks at recep-
ton. 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 poverty. He left nothing
but his debts. But the climax of their
trouble came when Henry Banks dis
appeared, leaving a letter for his
fiancee stating that he had decided tc
start anew elsewhere and she would
never see him again. The two women
had worked their way to New York,
hoping to meet friends of their father,
who once lived there, but only to find
them dead. They had then rented
their present apartments and eked out
scanty living by taking in sewing.
Under the severe strain Mary's health
gave way and she was prostrated. The
younger sister, on her way for ply
sieian, had been attracted by DR.
Rauk,s sion and had sou oht his aid
When she had finished her recital the
doctor was silent for time.
"Miss Carnold," he said at last, "thest
surroundings are not congenial to you
Now 1 have proposition to make
which I beg you will accept in thu
same spirit that it is offered. Th'
second floor of my house is vacant ant
I want you to occupy it. When you
sister is well enough to remove we will
take her there and you shall be NOR
comfortable"
| Alce's only answer was to burst in
to tears. The tender-hearted docto
sat down beside her and took he
hand.
"Won't you consider me your friend
/ Miss Carnold," he said earnestly, "an,
accept this offer?"
She raised her lovely, tear-staine'
face and their eyes met.
CDR. Banks" she exclaimed, "you
kindness quite oyerpowers me. Pei
haps ought to doubt you and spur
s. your proposal, but am going to &C
cept, for it seems to me that Prov
dence has sent you to me-"
81 trust that / shall prove tru
%