The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-27

Cooney Cwho was not too particular her
selD insisted on a half-yearly turning out
and sweeping, which nearly suffocated the
tenants of two landings, Madames out
cries were as loud and as tragic as if she
were some magpie whose nest was in pro-
cess of being robbed
Madame had lived TWENTY-FIVE wears at
Number rs, and the two girls her neigh
pors % months ere they spoke though
'hey frequently met upon the stairs; once
or twice the Doraus had seen the old lady
uahclng and swapping her fingers on the
laholng, IN response to the lively strains of
the hddler in the attic. and not unnatur-
any concluded that he was intoxicated and
that Madame was mad!
IL was a Kettle of hot water that first
introduced them! The old lady had an
dIdrIhIhg attack of bronchitis one night,
ana peremptorily knocked UP her neigh
o0Is. On what a spectacle she present.
co. as she sat erect in the frowsv four
poster wearing ragged camisole. her
poor old face all contorted in her strTg-
sizes LOT breath! Mabel lit the kitchen fire
poileu water improvsed steam respira-
tor ana other remedies, and remained tn
ay-DIeaK with tbe sufferer. The sufferer
Wheh conValescent, was most gracious and
SIa'eIuI 10 her kind nurse, and pressed
her hahd with her hard skeleton fingers
as she said: i'''s D
Mabei. they call you, know; but call
you Marie, ina cherie" after grand
udhie' ana angel l once knew: YOU have
ler eyes-ner proud gray eyes-and her
Madame went further than mere words
~ ~ nushy Whispers and much secrecy,
she administered to Mabel occasional cuns
OF most excellent coffee. and endowed
her with such little gifts as a hoy Of
matches, a reel of cotton, and once ST.
muitaheously, with a broken china doc
ana a string of blue beads-but then II
was MabePs birthday
II was autumn now, and Dolly had a
Det SoIu-lne eHects of thin old shoes and
wet Ieet-and was confined entirely IN the
mouse. She looked extremely frah ana
ldhsulu, ana her loud, harsh cough re-
sounded sadly up and down the great bare
stone staircase. Madame freolIertlv
brought IN her 'chaufferete and sat with
her curing her sisters absence. She was
dIuhs' 100 and inclined to be irritable
1,,'to,s ei1.s 70 Dolly were not absolutely
uhseInsh; she was weary of her own So
clety' weary of her novels. of her thoughts
ana even OF sitting over her fire. humming
ancient songs and admiring her still
pretty feet; the back room was 6uIl
whist Dolly 8 apartment was COMPARE
livery say-sometimes two cars and a
eau would pass within an hour! And
and beggars. 0'eA POli0e
The old lady was visibly falling. and moor
Mapel had now two invalids on her hands
instead of one. She herself had lost ber
bright smile, her light step; if Doliv's
cough Kept her awake hour after hour
ner SISTER anxieties performed the same
grim Office for her Both pretended new
ertheless, that they slept soundIv ana rest
ed well anu ies'-
AT last Madame succumbed and took
70 hef ped Mrs. Cooney thought it only
right and proper to call i'm a doctor-s
pusy' clever young man, who paid his
VISITS aroot and had many cases among
the poor. -'''i'e
You can't do much for me-" was Mad
anne aceost as he entered the room; the
machine is DID, the works are worn out
n est ce pas mon ami?' "
lie Ielt her feeble pulse, and made no
reply, save silence. How wise is silencai
but next door there is a girl of %
pauNre entant.' She has cough-'ces est
aHreuse; but l think perhaps she may be
saved. Knock, and say I've sent Won .,
and she pressed sovereign into his m
accustomed palm.
Inc doctor found the sisters sitting in
shaWls-they had no fire-the room was
damp and cold, but neat, and even in a
way elegant There were armchafrs cov-
cred and very infirm, cushions made out
~ CNN9 anu tAlNlSi a scrap screen few
PICTURES and miniatures, remnants of an
other home. lie talked very warilv 10
Dolly-asked some casual questions.
sounded her lungs, and with one long loolt
IN her race, withdrew, followed by her
trembling-yes, trembling sister. What
was to be his verdict: Life or death?
Weir she said at last. Tell me the
truth, please"
She is delicate. One lung is undoubt-
edly touched. She is greatly run down.
that cold. raw room is fatal and she re-
qulres nourishing food-chicken fish eggs
milk, port wine and oysters, if possible -
He hesitated and looked interrogativelv
at Mabel and then continued: Take her
away with a gesture of his hand, take
her out of this damp place to a warm
climate. It's her only chance. If YOU can
get her over the winter, you may save
ner. Take her to the Canaries, to Algiers
to the south of France"
why not tell me to take her to Heaven
at once?' cried his listener, passionateIy.
as she steadied her clammy hands on the
balustrade
Have you no friends?" he INQUIRED.
NO, none that would give us more than
long letter of advice. and postofnce
order Tor 10 shillings," was the bitter re-
ply.
Then God help you; 1 am afraid It's a
| BAD business he responded with a sigh
Alas, alas, how many of the sa me "sad
cases" came into his daily round; where
money can give warm, soft air. luxury
sunshine life, and haggard poverty on a
hard Kitchen chair ln a damp lack room
must dc. Yet people assure us that II
will be all the same 100 years hence.
You mean then that my sister is doom.
ed?' said Mabel Doran speaking SLOWLY
and with great effort; that 1 must mart
with her gradually take leave of her dan
by day, and see her die by inches before
my eyes?"
whilst there is life there Is hope" 70.
Joined the doctor. with ill-assumed cherri
ness I'm iooA in again and bring her 4
cough mixture. the old French woman j
pointing 20 madame's ROOM had better
/ settle her affairs at once; send for her
/ relatives" And he ran quickly down.
stairs for his time was valuable. though
not IN the way OF fees
! Poor Mabel stood listening to his rand
| steps she felt choking, her heart was
! breaking, she dared not face Dolly. %,
even madame, she must cry, and or,
alone
The two nttlcs were empty: she stoi,
| up 90 the landing and sat there on I'M
| top step with her head In her Ian ans
| there in the words Of scripture. "she M.
| cd mp her voice and wept sore"
That night Mabel Doran wrote and