Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-04-02

"Possibly-possibly. I cannot tel
yet. If l can see you every day,
presume I can help you"
A few questions followed, whicl
Bertha answered lamely. Her hear
beat wildly, and her brain was con
fused. There was piteous look il
her tender blue eyes. 1t seemed t.
arouse the doctor to something akil
to sympathy, for he said:
"You must not allow this to WORRY
you nnduly. 1t is hard thing to tel
a patient what have told you; but
consider the truth to be best unde
all circumstances. There is chanc,
that L may be able to cure you,
chance-only that; but a chance il
sometimes worth much in this world.
He left some medicine, and rose tt
go.
Bertha drew her purse from under
her pillow.
"How much?"
''Ten dollars" carelessly.
The face on the pillow grew winter
With trembling fingers the girl handed
out one of the two bills the purse con
tanned. The doctor glanced at it, ani
tucked it into his vest pocket.
Tomorrow I will see you, "he be-
gan.
NO" she interrupted, "I-cannot
afford-I shall not be able to pay
YOU"
"Ah, well, as you please" said the
doctor, somewhat stiffiy. "But tell
you this much; if you have home
You better get to it as quick as you
cant" He bowed himself out, shut.
ting the door with noiseless precision.
The sick girl stared at the wall. II
was covered with paper showing i'm.
possible blue and brown flowers in i'm
possible garlands. One wreath had al.
ways seemed to represent a winged
cherub in smart bonnet. Now, as
Bertha looked at it. the face of the
cherub appeared to be that of demon
leering at her despair. When Miss
Winslow came she found her with the
blanket over her head, to shut out the
evil face.
The little dressmaker was shocked
at the news.
'I'm dreadful sorry" she said, her
eyes full of tears; "but perhaps it
isn't so bad as the doctor thinks.
Though folks do say he's awful smart.
A man mus. be, to tell things by just
looking at you. I've heard that about
him before. Isn't he handsome,
though? But now, don't you go to
worrying! My aunt had heart disease
fifteen years before it killed her: SO
you are not going to die yet."
For four days Bertha Wayne lay in
her stutfy little room, exhausted and
dospairing, with only Miss Winslow's 3
visits to break the long, monotonous
nightmare. eff am no better" she
had said, 81 shall have to go to the
hospital" But Miss Winslow's an
swer had been emphatic:
'Indeed, you shall not! It is more
genteel to stay here, and 1 will take
care of you. As long as You lie abed
you don't need much but toast and
tea, and that's easy enough got. Moth
ing would tempt me inside hospital,
and you are not goingf"
But Bertha did not improve on the
toast and tea diet and DR.. Halberta' $
medicine. Every day brought in
creased suffering. On the fifth morn
ing she became desperate, and al
tempted to dress; but she was seized
with an overpowering weakness, and
was forced to lie down again. Her
heart acted strangely, now beating
violently, now seeming to stop. Per-
spiration stood on her face; breathing
was difficult. 1t seemed to her that
her last hour had come. An awful
numbness was creeping over her. She
tried to frame prayer.
A light knock sounded at the door.
1t aroused the sick girl, and she sum-
moned all her strength for the needed
word.
The door opened.
'Is this where 4 physician is
needed?"
1t was "that ugly little doctor?"
Bertha was too near unconsci iOus-
ness to answer; but the young man
did not wait. In q moment he was
holding stimulant to her lips. His
fingers were on her pulse
''There, you feel better?" he said.
She smiled family. 81 thought 1
was dying"
"Were You frightened? I think
there was no need" The doctor put
his ear to her heart.
1t was slower now, and Bertha lay
very still, breathing easily.
''It is all right" he said, "a little
weak, that's ALL"
The girl stared. Suddenly she found
her voice.
''Do you mean I haven't any heart
diseased" Joy and incredulity were
in the tone.
Certainly" he smiled. Then tax
ing stethoscope from his bag, he
made thorough examination. "There
is not the least organic trouble. Did
you think there WASP"
In few minutes the story was told.
An odd smile played about the physi-
clans mouth, but he said only:
II am glad you sent for me, il I
have relieved your fears.
''I didn't send for you"
The two looked wonderingly at each
other.
"Aren't you Mrs. Tsylor?"
"Why, no! Mrs. Taylor has the
room over this"
The young man laughed. 81 think
I'll go up and see her." he said. II
beg your pardon. I supposed I was
attending the right patient"
"I'm so glad you came," said
Bertha. "No one knows what I have
suffered for the last four days. Please