The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-25
DAYS OF SUSPENSE.
BY FRANK H. SWEET.

At l4 Pierre was already dreaming 6 ana planning for his future. He would De physician and surgeon, like his Iathef, and he would own cotton and sugar plantations and be good to ev- eryDoay, just as his father had been. only he did not. say much of this to ms Grandmother. One day when he mad mentioned it, she had caught him 10 her with wild passionate Now. now. my Pierrei My little one! Do not forget your father! You are all that have left, little Pierre, my baby! YOU must never leave me. Surely the good God cannot ask more!"
 Since then. Pierre had kept his ann pition to himself. He helped provide the necessities for the house. and bought little luxuries for his grand mother. and even after these expendi- lures, was able to save occasional pen- mes. only. as his hoard increased, he would discover that his grandmother's clothing was getting shabby, or that there was some expensive food or cor dial in the market that would please her; and then his money would melt away. But 1t did not matter, he would tell himself, consolingly, la grand mere was getting old and needed these things; there was plenty of time.
 So he saved more money. and spent it for the grandmother; and boarded again. and again lavished it on the grandmother. But all the time he was working and studying and thinking. He bought books when he could, and borrowed books and pamphlets from the free library, and from an old physician who was becoming interested in him. And this same ola physician took him to the hospital and explained cases; and occasionally even allowed him to assist in the work. At IS Pierre had a general knowledge of hospital practice, and his untrained course of reading had been shaped and made useful by the advice and companioship of the old physician. But there was much yet for him to learn, and more and more he realized the necessity of spending a few years in a good medical college.
 lie was earning steady wages now as clerk in drug store. but the grand mother was getting more feeble, and every day there were household ex- penses. and new things to be purchased for her comfort. The college was a long way off. but it would come, he told himself confidently. Some day the grandmother would see the future as he did. and then her strong, true self would be the first to bid him go. For the present he was young and could wait. he would not urge matters the grandmother had suffered, sh! low she had suffered! Few women were called upon to sacrifice husband, sons and brother in one short week. No, no, he would not urge matters. Every year there were rumors of yellow fever in the city, but only once or twice in a lifetime did 1t become the tidal wave of death which had desolated the erra 1vNasN In tEA l- E.x~ only a child then, but each year it was brought home to him by the mute ter TOT which the rumors brought into the dear old eyes. At such times he wouli draw her close to him and promise never to leave without her consent.
 The old physician had been a class mate of his fathers and had always treated the grandmother with tender deference and sympathy. Ono day he met Pierre on the street and told him that he must not go to the hospital any more: there were cases of fever just brought In, and it might not ee safe. So Pierre waited. and 8 few days multiplied the cases to twenty; pnd then few more days, and the city was hushed in the apprehension of a great terror. Business ceased. and those who were able fled to the hills, to tho north out to sea. anywhere to get away from the plague. The hospital was soon full, and there were not enough physi- Wednesday, "A GHOST OF THE P