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

A few questions followed, which
Bertha answered lamely. Her heart
i,eat wildly, and her brain was con
fused. There was q piteous look il
her tender blue eyes. It seemed tc
arouse the doctor to something akir
to sympathy, for he said:
"Yon must not allow this to worry
you unduly. It is hard thing to tel
patient what I have told you; but
consider the truth to be best under
all circumstances. There is chance
that 1 may be able to cure you-s
chance-only that; but chance i:
sometimes worth much in this world.
Hc left some medicine, and rose tc
go.
Bertha drew her purse from under
her pillow.
"How much?"
''Tea dollars" carelcssly.
The face on the pillow grew winter
With trembling fingers the girl handed
out one Of tho two bills the purse con,
tanned. The doctor glanced at it, and
tucked it into his vest pocket.
Tomorrow I will see you, 'he be-
gan.
NO." she interrupted, "I-cannoi
afiord-I shall not be able to pay
you.
CAB, we'll, rs you please" said the
doctor, somewhat stifhy. ''But tell
You this much; if you have q home
you better get to it as quick as you
CAM Hc bowed himself ont, shut
ting the door with noiselcss ecision.
The sick girl stared at the wall. Il
was covered with paper showing i'm,
possible blue and brown flowers in in
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 ethat of a 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 dressmakcr 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 must 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 SO to
woryyingl by 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 stuG,y little room, exhausted ard
dcspairiDg, with only Miss Winslow's S
visits to break the long, monotonons
nightmare. "If 1 ain no better, she
had said, "I shall have to so TO the
hospital" But Miss Wiaslow's an
swer had been emphatic:
"Indesd, You shall not! IS more
genteel TO stay here, aud L 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 woald tempt me- inside hospital,
and you arc not going:"
But Bertha did not improve on the
toast and tea Diet and DR.. Halberta's S
medicine. Every day brought in
creased suffering On the fifth morn
ing she became desperate, and al
tcmpted to dress; bat she was seized
with az oyerpowering weakness, and
was forced to lie down again. Her
heart acted strangely, now beating
violently, now seeming to stop. Per-
spiration stood en- her face; breathing
was difficult. 1t seemed to her that
her last hour had come. An awful
numbncss was creeping over her. She
tried to frame prayer.
4 light knock sounded Mt the door.
1t aroused the sick girl, and she sum
moned all her strength 10. the needed
word.
The door opened.
"Is this where q physician is
needed?"
1t was "that ugly little doctor?"
Bertha was too near unconscious
ness to answer; but the young man
did not wait. In moment he was
holding stimulant to her lips. His
fingers were OH her pulse.
"There, you feel bctter?" he said.
She smiled family. 81 thought ]
was dying"
"Wcre you frightened? I think
there was no need" The doctor put
his eur 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 a 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:
''I am glad you sent for me, If !
have relieved your fears.
''I didn't send for you"
The two looked wonderingly at each
other.1
AREN'T you Mrs. Taylor?"
"Why, no! Mrs. Taylor has the
room over this.
The young man laughed. ST think
Til go up and see her." he said. 81
beg your pardon. I supposed | was
attending the right patient,
Sim SO glad you came,' said
Bertha. ono one knowa what 7 haye
al {Farad far tha laet four dsys, Plessl