Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-04-02


tired l shall be better in the morn /
ing"
But she was not better IN the morn
irg On attempting 20 arise, she
barely escaped another faint: and Miss
Winslow insisted on summoning a
physician.
DR.. Halberta was OF splendid pro-
portions. tall. erect, broad shout
dered. As he stood in the doorway. his
s;rikingly handsome features lighted
by a smile, his patient was swept 10y d
thrill Of admiration. But a. his
words her face whitened.
ooh. you have heart disease"
She looked az him appealingly.
How do yoa-know?" she falter-
ell.
The doctor had abandoned his
smile. and stood considering her
/ graveiy.
"A very easy matter" he replied
nonchalantly. II could tell the mo-
ment 1 saw you. But there Is no use
in being alarmed; that only heightens
the danger and retards recovery.
"Do YOU think ] can get well, then?''
she asked eagerly.
"Possibly-possibly. I cannot tell
yet. II I can see you every day,
presume can help you.
A few questions followed, which
I Bertha ans wered lamely. Her hear
? beat wildly, and her brain was con
fused. There was pi.eous look II
her tender blue eyes. II seemed C
arouse the doctor 20 something akin
{ to sympathy, for be said:
''You must not allow this 20 WORT,
, YOU unduly. It is q hard thing TO tel
a patient what I have told YOU; but
{ consider the truth TO be best under
| all circumstances. There Is a chanc'
< that l may be able 70 cure YOU
D chance-only that; but a chance
o sometimes worth much in this world
He left some medicine, and rose {
, so.
{ Bertha drew her purse from unde
her pillow.
n CHOW much?"
!. "Ten dollars" carelessly.
4 The face on the pillow grew whittier
b With trembling fingers the girl handle
e ont one Of the two bills the purse cor
e tanned. The doctor glanced at II, an
Il tucked il into his vest pocket.
~ Tomorrow 1 will see you, he b,
st gan.
W No" she interrupted, "I-cann'
l. afford-I shall not be able to pa
a you.
al "Ah, well, as you please, said Il
In doctor, somewhat stiihy. But l L
y You this much; If you have hon
al you better get 70 il AS quick rs "
Is CAM He bowed himself out, shu
c. ting the door with noiseless precisio
a The sick girl stared az the wall.
ct was covered with paper showing Il
or possible blue and brown flowers IN Il
nd possible garlands. one wreath had
ne ways seemed 70 represent a wing
ht cherub IN smart bonnet. Now,
Z" Bertha looked at it. the face of
ne cherub appeared to be that OF dem
a. leering at her despair. When NJ
in. Winslow came she found her with
III blanket over her head, TO shut out
.or evil face.
The little dressmaker was shocl
an at the news.
De- I'm dreadful sorry" she said,
nd eyes full of tears; but perhaps
le- isn't so bad as the doctor thin
his Though folks do say he's awful sms
the \ man must be, to tell things by j
az. ! looking at you. I've heard that alb,
tha him before. Isn't he handsOI
sgo though? But now, don't you 81
ow worryingl My aunt had heart disc
) a fifteen years before 1t killed her
gly you are not going TO die yet"
irl. For four days Bertha Wayne lay
her stuffy little room, exhausted
but dtspairing, with only Miss Winslo
the visits 20 break the long, monoton
lild nightmare. ''If am no better,
is had said, II shall have TO go TO
hospital" But Miss Winslow's
ted swer had been emphatic:
md Indeed, you shall mott 1t is n
avs genteel to stay here, and will
by care of you. As long as you lie a
.ure you don't need much but toast
the tea, and that's easy enough got. y
the ing would tempt me inside hosp
ong and you are not goings"
the But Bertha did not improve on
the toast and tea diet and DIR. Halbel
TALL, medicine. Every day brought
creased suffering. On the fifth n