Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1894-05-05

It away again, hastily. II was hot
and dry It startled him. Tears
sprang to his eyes.
"Pm a dreadful sick man," he
mo'ned; "1m on my dying bed,
Marg ret"
Margaret smoothcd back his tum.
bled hair.
"Oh, no." she said, "the doctorll
cure you. I'll 60 out and send for
him now"
"Tell James to hurry; tell him
I'm-"
His lips refused to utter the dread.
full word. He gasped and looked with
mute entreaty ut his neice.
Meg's calmness treasured him
somewhat, but her parting word again
set his heart huttcring.
"Oh, the doctor won't let you de-"
she said, leaving the room.
She returned presently, bearing q
bowl of thorougwort tea. Sarah fol-
lowed, a spoon and napkin in her
hand. She came up and looked ut
the deacon with close attention
which greatly enhanced his alarm.
She placed her fingers on his pulse
and counted the hurried throbs.
"1'm studying with father" she
explained. II mean to be q doctor,
you know, Deacon Albany"
The deacon made feeble motion
with his lips. Sarah stopped to lis
ten. Save me, sairy," he whispered,
don't let me-die."
II will do what I can, Deacon Al
bany, but life and death are In the
Lords hands"
The deacon groaned aloud. Her
gravity confirmed his fears, her words
sent an icy chill to his heart. How
often he had used them, when, stand.
ing by q sick.bed, he had striven
with tho impenitent sinner. Life
and DEATH" he had said, land you
poor sinful creature, you've got death
to face now. The Lord has summoned
ye in the midst Of your sins, and We
can't get away from DEATH"
His eyes filled with sudden smart
ing tears. He felt a sudden, fierce
pity for the dying sinners. He wished
he had been more gentle with them.
He turned upon his pillow and lay
with his face to tho wall. lie could
not bear tho sight of the fresh young
faces.
Meg stole quietly from the room.
Sarah heard her putting more wood In
the stove. But the deacon heard
nothing. From his troubled heart
rose the troubled cry: ~ amt ready
yet, Lord. Oh, Lord, let me live |!
lot me livc!"
In u short time Meg returned. ~
thought I'd hayo some hot water
ready" she said. "rhc doctor may
want 1t. He seems fevcrish, don't
you Think"
"They always do in such cases."
returned Sarah, oracularly. 1T Is in
ovitable.
Low as was her voice the deacon
caught the words. Again he uttered
u deep groan. Both Sarah and Meg
stopped over him. What Is it?"
they asked. "Where Is the pain?"
Moro loudly still the deacon
groaned. lie could not speak. His
mind was occupied with those fate.
full worls-"in such cases." She
knew II then! She, the daughter OF
a doctor, almost u doctor herself, she
knew the symptoms Of poisoning.
Groan after groan escaped from be-
tween his set lips; he extended his
limbs and lny In an almost rigid pO-
sition. He closed his eyes and
breathed heavily In the intervals be-
tween tho gronns.
Meg stood beside him and smoothcd
his hair, passing her cool hand over
his damp forehead from time to time.
Her nearncss, the sense OF sympathy
It impaired, gave him comfort, but
1t did not case the load upon his heart.
lie moved his head restlessly, fixing
his heavy eyes upon Sarah, who stood
ut the foot OF the bed.
Father, II be here directly" she
said, reassuringly.
He can't help me, no ono can
help me /" he cried out, suddenly.
"I'm dying-dying-dying!"
"Oh, no, Deacon Albany" replied
Sarah, "you will not face death this
time. 1t Is merely"
The deacon stretched out his hand
protestingly. "You mean we'll,
Sairey," he said, In voice that was
high and shrill with excitement,
"but you don't know. You're young,
an you don't know"
" ! know you are not sick enough
to die"
Don't tempt me, Sairey," he
moancd, sit Is death that has come
.. for me. I can feel 1t. ! can feel his
clay touch. Oh Lord, oh Lord!"
Meg stopped and kissed his fore
head. ~ hear Wheels" she said
, 1.-THE doctor will cure you, dear
uncle"
She went out Of the room, return
, ing In a moment or two. Her face wal
grave, and the deacon, tossing rest
lessly, noticed it Immediately
, "Whego . no? Why don't he come
in? Tel him to hurry. Tell him
tell him"
His voice failed suddenly, and he
fell back upon the pillow. Meg
fastened to soothe him. "He was
away" she said, "but James lef,
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 quivering voice. Hell BIZ
too late" he said. "He can't help
| me now. I'm going, Marg'ret, I'm
going fast. Death"
He broke of abruptly. He shut his