Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-03-13


new to him. and innocent Clara
blushed with pleasure. aud never
wondered whether the other lips
were sometimes requisitioned to re-
mind him Of her kisses also.
Meanwhile Claras heath was
rapidly giving way Her cough grew
more troublesome than ever, and ex-
nsperated Jack. who was a light
sleeper, so much that he had his bed
made in the spare room on the floor
above Clara said nothing to this ar
rangement as she always studied her
husbands comfort, but she often
wept silently to herself during the
lonely, wakeful nights
She now saw very little Of Jack,
as he was not only away during busi-
ness hours, but spent most Of his
spare time at Oxfords' 1t interested
bim he said, to watch the develop
ment of nature that should by all
physiological appearances be akin TO
her own, and he persuaded her that
the growing intimacy between Mabel
Che now called Miss Oxford by her
Christian name) and himself was
kind of beautiful refiection-on strict
~ platonie lines-of their own love.
And the poor little woman swallow
ed IT ALL and even felt n sense of
gratitude for this double manifesto
tion of her husbands devotion.
One day the doctor broke the news
to Mrs Alston that the condition of
her health gave cause for great anx-
iety, and he advised her to consult a
specialist on diseases of the lungs
without delay. Jack. on talking IL
over afterward, said that all physi-
clans were fools, and the biggest
fool charged the biggest price to
make up for other deficiencies. How
ever, although he was inclined to
pooh-poob the whole affair, he con-
sented to his wife seeing a special
ist, and consultation was accord
ingly arranged.
Clara, who was nervous and terri
bly, afraid of stethoscopes and tap
ping. would have liked Jack to ac-
company her to the eminent physi-
sian's house. But on the morning Of
the appointment he came downstairs
with a ready-paelSed travelling bag
and announced that if a certain letter
were waiting for him at the office he
would be obliged to undertake a
/ journey on business and would not
return before the following day.
If it had not been on account Of
urgent business Clara would have
+bopobt her husbands absence Mt
This critieo1 innct,ire very unl,ind
For tbe snecialist would pronounce
on her. that afternoon. sentence of
life or death But tbe Journey. If
undertaken was clearly unavoidable.
and She could only reproach fate for
having chosen that dav OF ali others
10 separate them.
st1 il would have been kinder.
Clara thought. If lack had asked her
to telegraph the result of her in
terview To him. but he went off in a
hurry after the briefest of fareweIs
and She was Obliged to console her.
self with the reflection that pressure
of time had furried him into FORGET.
fnlness
aHe win tbip1, Of II ne soon as he
has r,o,nept,s leisure " she reneat.
cd to herself over and over again
"and then he will feel miserable
about II moor fellow and send me =
telegram asking TO have the verdict
,,,;red 10 HE oeicop -
The nbysiclan sbool, his head as he
examined her chest tanned each rib
and listened to the labored breath
inc. II was not his custom TO con
oeol tbe trntI, from, his nstients but
he regarded clara,s male anvious fac,
and frail form with intense pit,
when II was All over
The moor crea ture read her fate If
the Glance of svmnotbv
uAiy ease is boneIees is n not .,
she asked in a low tremulous voice.
"I fear sou renlied the docto,
gently
"Sbau live 1ono9n
she awaited his answer in painfu
suepense
zone lung Is zone" said the orea-
man IavinS kindly hand on he,
arm and The other is-going III,
.5 - a. ,1;-o,.-a an ,lt.,,,,5 -
Gnu u ."e u'9e"90 VIZ Ne nue.
upon climatic CONDITIONS. rear
unless Won can manage to go soutl
at onre-n
,,sri -. -, .,..
th"t may h"V last thio"Bh UNI
cold weather" put in Clara, to hell
him out.
ua ,od5ad ,,,i4l, e .or;o,,. ,f,. an,
lew mnutes later the unhappy pa
tient, her doom ringing in her ears
was sDeedino home
a4l.4a y ra.1-s.. t.u...,....f43.... /.
W ii'''i i'i"s i"'
upon the nan taoie' II had been de