The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1894-04-25


ing in moment or two. Her face was
grave, and the deacon, tossing rest
lessly, noticed it immediately.
Where is he? why don't he come
IMP Tell him to hurry. Tell him
tell him"
His voice failed suddenly, and he
fell back upon the pillow Meg
fastened to soothc him. lie was
away" she said, but James left
word. He'll be here soon.
The deacon opened his eyes and
fixed them upon his niece. With an
effort he spoke, trying vainly to
steady his quivcring voice. 'Hc'll be
too late" he said. "IIe can't help
me now. I'm going, Marg'r ret, I'm
going fast. Death"
He broke off abruptly. He shut his
eyes and turned his head to the wall.
Meg, leaning over him, heard him
,,murmur, ooh, Lord, never thought
I'd go like this. Oh, Lord let me
live |"
Meg stole away from the bed, max
ing an imperative motion to Sarah.
Both left the room, and after hur-
ricd conference in the kitchen, Meg
returned to her unclc's bedside.
lie was still groaning and tossing
,restlessly from side to side. Meg bent
over him. She touched her lips to
his forehead. ''Do you feel much
pain, dear uncle2" she asked.
ooh yes, yes! Oh yes, yes, Oh,
I'm going fast, Marg ret, I'm u"
Again before the dread word he fall
tered, and Meg, seeing it. stopped
and third time kissed him. "You
will be we'll tomorrow, she said.
Sarah says SO, and she is almost a
doctor"
The deacon caught at this faint ray
OF hope with pitiful eagcrncss. Docs
she say so2 What does she say, Why
don't she do something for me! Tell
her.
Sarah's voice interrupted him.
There was a checry ring to it which
invigOratcd him. She came up and
stood beside him, looking at him with
smile. II thought I'd make II
mustard plaster for your chest, Dca-
con Albany, but don't find anything
in the pantry but the canned peas
and blueberries ] brought from home
yesterday, SO why, what is the
mattcr?'
There was n twinkle in her eye and
n laugh in her voice, but the deacon
noticed them not. He sat up, waving
his hand toward the door. Coo" he
cried. eco downstairs. both OF you. !"
'Why, uncIel"
Cop he repeated. "I-I amt
sick no longer. Pm we'll. I'm II
well man, thank God! Leave me"
His voice trcmblcd with his emotion,
but II second later it took Il softer
tone. GO" he said; "leave me.
Let me thank my Lord for His tender
mercy and His loving Kindness. Go,
my 1onra -
! Sarah and Meg went slowly down
the stairs Neither spoke. Both
had heard something in his voice
which kept them silent. They sat
down upon the porch step and waited,
still in silence.
The stars came out family, and
presently a faint rim OF gold bctok-
encd the rising Of the moon. And
still they sat in silence. But after u
long time as il seemed to them, they
'iN"iu viz bt'l'oll SloW lpDlSlfpS
coming down the stairs. He passed
through the hail and into the kitchen,
and soon they saw him crossing the
wood yard to the barn, whose big
doors were still wide open to the warm.
fragrant evening air. Sarah found
voice then. ~ might have put an
end to il sooner" she said, regret
fully, her eyes following his slow
movements, "but | thought father
would surely come, and"
Sarah Cooke, do you mcan--"
eyes" interrupted Sarah, GIVE
rather II turn for experiments, and
I've heard great deal about the
power OF imagination, and-and--wcll,
confess, Meg, | really wanted to
note the effect Of fright upon your
mnclc."
II think it was cruel!" blazcd Meg,
] call 1t downright cruel! And IL that
is the way doctors"
Doctors must make experiments.
And, coaxingly, you know, I want
TO be famous; | want to cure all the
silly, nervous women of our day.
Even your uncle would subscribe to
sake Of making hundreds OF homes
happier homes"
Meg put her hand on hers. She
touched it lovingly. Forgive me, "
she said, but next time, dear,
practice your enthusiasm on me.
Spare my poor uncle, beseech
you"
The deacon's prayer was short ;hat
night. His careful avoidance OF many
ofhis,customary well-rounded phrases
struck both his listeners forcibly
Both heard in his voice a tone they
had never before heard. Both knew
its meaning, and tears filled their
eyes at his closing appeal: 'Hclp
Thou me, O Lord, to smooth the
pillow OF the dying sinner. Help
Thou mo to help him. = Yankee
Blade.
A River at the Bottor, OF His Well.