St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-09-13

The sick woman seemed to have
been anxiously awaiting his coming
for her great, earnest eyes fastened
themselves upon him, as he entered
the room, and as he bent over her
he heard distinctly the low whisper
ed words: Doctor. my child !" anC
in the same low whisper DR.. Brown
replied: Il will see that your will IS
executed"
Then he raised his head and en-
counted a look from those eyes
which spoke world of gratitude
and this was the last conscious look
which lighted them, for as Mr.. Nor
ley softly approached, she looked
wanderinglv at him, and then her
eyelids closed, her muscles relaxed,
and with a gentle sigh her heart
ceased to beat.
"All is over" said the doctor, as
he stepped back to give place to the
mourning husband, who threw him
self down beside his wife.
When he arose and turned toward
the doctor, a tear glittered on his
lashes. His voice was hoarse and
tremulous when he thanked the ply
taken during the long illness of his
wife, concluding with, 81 shall never
forget it.
DIR. Brown only shook his head.
He was thinking of the dead wo-
mans will, and answered evaslvelv {:
Il could not have helped your wife
much, since l never discovered the
real cause of her illness"
mo selfreproaches, doctor! You
did what you could, and whether
this disease can be exactly diagnosed
seems to me, from what know of it,
altogether doubtful.
Every disease" replied the doc
tor, must finally disclose its cause
to the patient and thorough investi-
gator but in this case there were so
many accompanying phenomena
that it was quite impossible to dis
cover the exact cause of the predom-
inant disorder, at least in the living
body"
The doctor, as he said this. looked
sharply at his companion, over
whose countenance a slight cloud
seemed to pass; yet there was scarce
ly any discernible change in his voice
as he replied: NO, no. doctor, we
won't do that The beloved body
was sufficiently tormented in life; in
death at least it shall be at rest'
Yes, but it was the wish Of the
dead; and isn't there any direction
to that effect in the will? '
mo yet perhaps don't know.
Anyway the will is to be read to-
morrow, and should any such direc-
ton be found there-well, l suppose
l shall have to carry it out. l will
send Immediately an announcement
of the death to our attorney, Mr..
Bait of London. You will be pre-
sent at the opening of the will, will
you not"
Most certainly"
The doctor during this converse
of death. He carefully scru tinized
the surroundings and, as if in an alb
sent-minded manner, picked up lit
tie box from the table which stood
beside the bed and carelessly pushed
back the cover. At sight Of the con-
tents he could hardly restrain an ex-
clamation for there, exactly as had
been described to him, were a baby's
cap, yellow with time, and lock of
hair, tied with a ribbon.
Probably some of your wife's
keepsakes ?" he remarked, turning
inquiringly to Morley.
Yes, and as such they must be
given into the hands of her daugh-
ter"
will you allow me the pleasure of
sending them to her by my sister
who is going to Switzerland to-mor-
row."
II suppose it would be more prop
er that she should receive them at
my hands; and yet, as l shall have
to remain here for some time yet,
a Journey home in her delicate state
of health would be hard for the child,
l shall be very much obliged to you
if you will send them to her. Give |
her my blessing with them, and tell |
her that from this time forth 1 shall |
be more father to her than ever"
DR.. Brown thrust the little box
deep into his breast-pocket, and took |
his leave with the assurance that he |
would faithfully execute Mr.. Morley's |
Once at home under the light ofthe
lamp, he was not long in searching
for the further contents of the, box
and he was filled with both horror
and establishment as his search
brought to light, from beneath a
cunningly-contrived double floor, the
will as it had been described to him
"a clear, correct copy. After this
the doctor awaited with
nounced opening of the will.
At last it arrived, and Brown had
to acknowledge to himself that its
contents agreed exactly with copy
in his hands until it came to the