Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-05-11

stay and tell me how T can get we'll" >"
DR.. Malcolm attended first to Mrs.
Taylor. Then he spent another
quarter-hour in the room below, ask
ing questions, arranging medicines,
and giving directions and advice.
Bertha did not refer to his fee.
Only thirty cents remained in her
purse. She half hoped, she half
feared, that he would not come again.
He told her that she had overworked,
that her nerves were exhausted, and
that she would probably be obliged to
keep still for several weeks. There
was no doubt of her being we'll in
time. He bade her eat beefsteak twice
day. He did not inquire into her
household arrangements. She was
grateful for the omission. When he
went out, he said, It'll see you again
Tomorrow" and shut the door.
Bertha's eyes fastened themselves
on the wall paper. The demon had
been transformed into cherub.
Miss Winslow brought her a slice OF
toast with poached egg for tea. She
had added the egg on her own account.
81 didn't know as toast was quite
nourishing enough by itself, even If
you are abed," she said.
Bertha was thankful for the luxury.
She did not mention the ordered
steak.
"I don't know but what this little
doctor is good enough, as far as he
goes, miss Wiuslow remarked, watch
ing Bertha eat her egg; "Dut he's
dreadful short and spindling. J. al
ways did like big man." She sat for
time in dreamy meditation, evident
Iy lost in her dead past.
Bertha gazed at her tenderly. When
she looked up, ''It was so kind OF you
TO bring me this egg" she said; Il
feel better for it already"
The little dressmaker came back to
herself, and resumed:
eyes, guess DR.. Malcolm's vel!
enough, and you do look brighter; but
it seems as if such big, splendid man
rs DR.. Halberta ought to k now more
about hearts and things than mite of
feller like him. Though don't say
but that I'm glad ii you haven't got
it-if you haven't" She shook her
head dubionsly.
Bertha smiled. ''l'd rather trust
DR.. Malcolm and his stcthoscope than
DR.. Halberta's eyes.
"Well, T. don't know! Hes awful
stylish, and he's got pretty convincing
evas! Miss De Peyster says he's
highly connected. But 7 donT know!'
DR.. Malcolm did not appear until
nearly noon. He was glad to ind that
his patient had slept well.
"What did ycu have for breakfast?'
he asked.
Bertha blushed. She had not an
ticipated such direct questioning. But
she was honest.
''Toast and coffee. :"
'.Don't you like Joefsteak?"
eyes"
"Why didn't you have it?"
She looked into his face. Il was
grave, bit kind.
Because [ could not afford it. DR..
Halber+a carried Off most Of my
none she added. smiling. 81 ex-
pect 1uore every day" (which was
strictly true), 'but it hasn't come"
Chow much did that man charge
you?'
She told him.
lie scow!ed, aud muttered some
thing about "quaclls" end Clancy
prices" Then he inquired into her
mode OF living.
"You must have nutritious food. 1t
is imperative. I think I'd better take
you over to the hospital this after
noon"
"But-how can I go?"
"ln my carriage. 1t is easy"
"I-havcn't enough to pay my
board"
"St. James Church has established
free bed there, and it is unoccupicd
Just now. The rector is friend of
mine, and I will arrange it. am sure
you will be better az the hospital, he
added, seeing her flushed hesitation.
iYou are very kind, doctor; but I
don't know whether I can ever pay
YOU" Her eyes filed.
'That's all right" The young man
tossed off the words with an impatient
motion OF the head. He looked at his
watch. 81 will come for you at three"
he said. ''There will he plenty of
time" musingly. He turned to his
patient. IT do not want You to get
up before one o'clock. You will keep
still till tEen?"
Certainly, if you wish" There
was the hint of a question in her
voice; but the doctor did not appear
to heed.
Half an hour later found Bertha
still pondering the physicians last or
der. She had begun to have sus-
picions concerning it. She heard
footsteps on the stairs, then fragmen-
tary talk near her door. A moment
more, and knock was followed by the
entrance of q young woman with a
basket.
cdr. Malcolm sent me with your
dinner" she announced, proceeding to
set tho dishes upon the table.
Did ever beef ten and steak taste SO
good! After she had eaten, the woman
made her rest little while while she
arranged her clothing and the few
articles which she would need to take.
doctor said I was to wait and help
you," she said, in answer to Bertha's
protestations, md she gave such eff
cient aid that when the sick girl was
fully equipped for her little journey,
she was not much the worse for the
slight cxertion.
"How good Dr.. Malcolm Isl"
yentured Bertha.
."Good!" echoed tho other, "why,
i !, apa