The Penn's Grove record., 1894-09-14

NO tied himsel
for a final snooze, when his night-bel
rang furiously. The good doctor sprant
up and put his head out of the win
dow.
"What is wanted2" he called.
SIS that Doctor Banks?"
The voice was a clear treble, and h,
could distinguish a female form in thu
street below.
Eyes" he answered; "what do vol
want?"
"Ohi DOCTOR" said the voice trem
ulously; ''please come with me at once
Ny sister is dying, 1 fear"
IN be right down." called the doc
tor, and, hurriedly dressing himself
he descended and opened the door.
Come in," he said; 81 will be will
you immediately"
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, wer,
clear-cut and classic. Her voice wa.
low and well modulated, and, in spitt
of her apparent poverty, she had tn
1ir of a woman of refinement.
The doctor was soon ready, and to
gether they left the house. She lee
him by many turns, through marrow
streets, until she opened a door into
long, dark passage between two dwell
ings and passed in. The doctor fol
lowed her without hesitation. From
:ae passage they emerged into n court
on three sides of which faced a serie.
of dismal and dirty tenements. Int
one of these his conductress led hin
and up some rickety stairs. On the
fourth landing she opened a door ant
entered an apartment. In a moment
they stood beside a pallet on which lay
a woman. The invalid stirred, and
turning her wan face to them asked
feebly:
"Have you brought the doctor,
Alice?"
''Yes, dearest" and turning to him
"Dr. Banks, this is my sister, Miss
Carnold."
The change his name made on the
sick m was electric. From utter
listlessness she was aroused to the in
tensest excitement. A deep flush over.
spread her face, and her eyes sparklel
like Goals as she raised herself upon heI
elbow and gazed into his face.
SIT is not him." che muttered; eye,
-yes-there is a likeness!"
She paused, and abruptly addressing
the doctor said: Had you aver a
brother, DR.. Banks?"
Her voice was clear and resonant, il
marked contrast to her previous NUT
terings. The doctor answered slowly
and deliberately:
"Yes, madam"
"And his name was Henry?"
''Yes."
"Where is he now?"
A dark shade passed over his face.
81 do not know" he said; 81 have
not heard from him for three years.
The last word I had was n letter he
wrote me from California, telling OF
his engagement to a San Francisco 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. 'Mis
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 nv directions strictly, if you wish
10 get we'll"
The doctor found that hers was n,
organic trouble, but rather n general
exhaustion of natures powers, arising
from worry and insufficient food. He
gave her a quoting potion, and she
fell into a gentle slumber. He then
asked Miss Alice to give him an &C.
count of how the trouble with hi
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.. Car,
nold's death, and the fall from wealth
to poverty. He left nothing but hit
debts. But the climax of their trou.
bles came when Henry Banks disap,
peared, leaving 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 to New York, hop
ing 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 a
scanty living by taking in sewing.
Under the severe strain Mary's health
gave way, and she was Frustrated.
The younger sister, on her way for Q
physician. had been attracted by DR..
Banks sign and had sought his all
When she had finished her recital, the
doctor was silent for a time
"Miss Carnold," he said at last,
"these surroundings are not c~ougenial
to you. Now I have O proposition to
make which 1 beg you will accept in
the came spirit that it is offered. The
second floor of my hou"7 is vacant, and
I want you to occupy ii. When your
sister is well enough to remove wewiD
take her there, and you shall be more
comfortable"
Alice's only answer was to burst into
tears. The tender-hearted doctor sat
down beside her and took her hand.
"Won't you consider me your friend,
Miss Carnold," he said earnestly, ''anS
sJcept this ofer?"
She raised her lovely tear-stained
Ice and their eyes met.
: CDR. Banks" she exclaimed, ''you
kindness quite overpowers me. Perhaps
l ought to doubt you and spurn your
proposal, but 1 am going to accept, for
it seems to me that Providence has sent
you to u.s."
81 trust that 1 shall prove a tru.
'missary of Providence" he answered.
Two weeks passed. The invalid,
thanks to her improved circumstances
and the doctors care, was SO much i'm.
proved as to be able to sit up. The
doctor spent his evenings with the
ladies whom not professionally engaged,
and charming companions he found