Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-04-26

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"I'm dreadful sick man." he
mo'ned; I'm on my dying bed,
Marg'ret."
Margaret smoothed back his tum-
bled hair.
''Oh, no." she said, 1.-The doctorll
cure you. I'll 60 out and send for
him now"
Tell James to hurry; tell him
His lips refused to utter the dread
ful word. He gasped and looked with
mute entreaty at his neice.
Meg's calmness treasured him
somewhat, but her parting word again
set his heart fiuttering.
'Oh, the doctor won't let you die, "
she said, leaving the room.
She returned presently, bearing a
bowl of thorougwort tea. Sarah fol-
lowed, q spoon and napkin in her
hand. She came up and looked at
the deacon with q close attention
which greatly enhanced his alarm.
She placed her fingers on his pulse
and counted the hurried throbs.
"I'm studying with father" she
explained. II mean to be doctor,
you know, Deacon Albany"
The deacon made feeble motion
with his lips. Sarah stopped to lis
ten. Save me, Sairy," he whispered,
"do'nt let me-die."
Il will do what / 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 a sick-bed, he had striven
with the impenitent sinner. Life
and DEATH" he had said, ''and you
poor sinful creature, you've got death
to face now. The Lord has summoned
We in the midst of your sins, and We
can't get away from DEATH"
His eyes filled with sudden smart
ing tears. He felt 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 the wall. He could
not bear the 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 II amt ready
yet, Lord. Oh, Lord, let me live !!
let me live 7"
In short time Meg returned. IT
thought I'd have some hot water
ready" she said. 1.-THE doctor may
want it. He seems feverish, don't
you think?"
"They always do in such cases."
returned Sarah, oracularly. ut is in
evitable.
Low as was her voice the deacon
caught the words. Again he uttered
a deep groan. Both Sarah and Meg
stopped over him. ''What is it?"
they asked. where is the pain?"
More loudly still the deacon
groaned. He could not speak. His
mind was occupied with those fate
full words-"in such cases." She
knew it then! She, the daughter of
a doctor, almost doctor herself, she
knew the symptoms Of poisoning.
Groan after groan escaped from be-
tween his set lips; he extended his
limbs and lay in an almost rigid po-
sition. He closed his eyes and
breathed heavily in the intervals be-
tween the groans.
Meg stood beside him and smoothed
his hair, passing her cool hand over
his damp forehead from time to time.
Her nearness, the sense of sympathy
it impaired, gave him comfort, but
it did not ease the load upon his heart.
He moved his head restlessly, fixing
his heavy eyes upon Sarah, who stood
at the foot of the bed.
Father, III be here directly" she
said, reassuringly.
He can't help me, no one 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 well,
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"
Il know you are not sick enough
to de-"
Don't tempt me, Sairey," he
moaned, it is death that has come
for me. I can feel it. ! can feel his
clay touch. Oh Lord, oh Lord I"
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 was
grave, and the deacon, tossing rest
lessly, noticed it Immediately.
Where is hef Why don't he come
in? Tell 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 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 quivering voice. Hell be
too late" he said. HE can't help
me now. I'm going, Marg'ret, I'm
going fast. Death"
n