The Winslow mail., 1898-03-19

ISABEL? Well, it is She You know how
she has shaved among the poor devils in
this horrible hole. You can never know
the devotion of this gentle maiden to her
self-sacrifcial duties. Evidently a woman
of culture and refinement, she has slaved
for the poor blacks as earnestly as for
those of higher caste. Now she is i'll
sick unto death. l have tried to learn
who and what sheis, but without success.
Tonight as she fell into delirium she
muttered the word George a couple OF
times. My God, man, what is the mat
ter with you? l have feared it, you
have the fever"
mo, doctor. No fever but that of ter.
ror. Feel my pulse, take my temperature
and you will see the plague has exempted
me so far. But you say she muttered
my name?"
Certainly, your name. But-God in
heaven, can it be possible? Quick, man,
| come with me-"
Out into the night rushed the two men,
one torn by thousand conflicting emo
tions. He knew the resolute temper of
his sweetheart and fearing she had seen
| his downfall and had returned in spite of
all, he felt a fear tugging at his heart
which stifed him. Yet he ran blindly af-
ter the doctor until they reached small
| house where a dim light could be seen
near the open window. Here DR.. Wright
halted and cautioned the excited man to
| exercise care.
| Care! Who should be more tender
than l? If it is my love 1 will nurse her
back into life" hoarsely said the young
Northerner. LET me in. Don't you see
this suspense is killing me? God, it is
she!' and he fell on his knees beside the
pallet on which the form of young won-
an in the gray garb of the sisters lay ex-
tended. His voice reused the sick girl
from her stupor. She glanced around the
room with frightened eyes and then sud
denly started up.
George" she said feebly, "you herei
Oh, go away. You will take the fever
and die. Don't stay. Take him away,
doctor, for my sake"
mo. Here l stay. Tell me how Won
came here and what does this dress
mean?'
'"This dress?" replied Mamie. "Oh. this
belonged to young nun who lost her life
out in the camp. | was thrown from the
train, dear, and when 1 came back home
my father" and here the poor, ema-
ciated form writhed in agony.
''Yes, yes"
'It was the law, George. He could not
| help it. But he turned me back. l saw
you fall. l went to this camp then
| fearful place of contagion and terror.
| slipped in during the night, when the
| guard did not see me, and begged for
| food. The nun had died during the night.
| | prevailed on DR.. Stefano, who had just
| come, to permit me to assume the garb.
thought you were dead. l did not care
what became of me. They told me you
never regained consciousness. l was
driven from home by the plague and fore
ed to wander an outcast by my only par
ent. l wore the garb out there. Then
| the good doctor came here. Again / sue
ceeded in prevailing on him to take me
with him. He said had helped him out
there, why should l not do so in here?
Besides, it was home, and longed for it.
l came and worked until this morning.
Then l fell i'll. Now I'm dying. Yes,
dearest. I'm dying. No skill can save me-
l have worn the infected clothing too
long and was too much broken down
when l put them on for any hope Of life
to remain. We must part now. Oh, the
pain of the parting! But, when l am
gone, tell my father l forgive him. Yes,
it is rest now. Meet me above the stars"
Fainter and fainter the struggling
breath came and went. AS the day dawn
ed, another day of horror, with its mer-
ciless sun to bake and scorch the doomed
pOpulace, the gentle spirit took fight
Conscious to the last, in the arms of her
despairing lover she sank to her eternal
rest with a peaceful smile on her wasted
features.-Chicago Chronicle