The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-04-01

phoid. He may die In an nour or ne
may live until nightfall, but nothing
can save him. He will hardly recog-
nize you, / fear, and you can do no
good. 1t is most infectious, and you
are mourning a needless danger.
should strongly recommend you not
to CO."
"Why, you've just come down
from him yourself doctor" John Grid
lestone remarked.
"Ah, I'm there in the way of duty.
$50 am l." said the visitor decisive
ly, ana passing up the stone steps or
the entrance strode into the hall
There was large sitting-room upon
the ground floor, through the open
door Of which the visitor saw a lght
which arrested him for a moment.
Young girl was sitting in recess
near the window. with her little sup
ple figure bent forward, and her hands
clssped at the back of her head, while
the elbows rested upon a small table
in front of her. Her suberb brown
hair fell in thick wave on either side
over her white round arms, and the
graceful curve of her beautiful neck
might have furnished sculptor with
ss75,,y,stEdy for mourning Madonna.
The doctor had Just broken his sad
tidings to her, and she was still in
the first paroxysm of her grief-a
grief too acute, as was evident even
to the unsentimental mind of the mer-
chant to allow of any attempt at con-
ISOLATION. A greyhound appeared to
think differently, for he had placed
his forepaws upon his young mistress
lap, and was attempting to lick her
face in token of canine sympathy.
The merchant paused irresolutely for.
a moment, and then ascending the
broad staircase he pushed open the
door of Harston's room and entered.
The blinds were drawn down and
the chamber was very dark. A pung-
ent Whit Of disinfectants issued from
it, mingled with the dank heavy
smell of disease. The bed was in a
dlestone could hear the fast labored
breathing of the invalid. A trinity
| dressed nurse who had been sitting
| by the bedside rose, and, recognizing
the visitor, whispered few words to
him and left the room. He pulled
the cord Of the Venetian blind 80 as
to admit few rays of daylight. The
great chamber looked dreary and
bare, as carpet and hangings had been
removed to lessen the chance of fu-
ture infection. John Girdlestone step
ped softly across to the bedside, and
sat down by his dying friend.
The sufferer was lying on his back,
apparently unconscious of all around
him. His glazed eyes were turned
upwards towards the ceiling, and his
parched lips were parted, while the
breath came In quick. spasmodic
gasps. Even the unskilled eye of the
merchant could tell that the angel OF
death was lowering very near him.
With an ungainly attempt at tender
ness, which had something pathetic
in 1t, he moistened sponge and pass
ed it over the sick mans feverish
brow. The latter turned his restless
head round, and a CLEAN of recogni-
tion and gratitude came into his
eyes.
81 knew you would come" he said.
Eyes, l came the moment that /
got your message"
II am glad that you are here" the
lief. From the frightened express
sion upon his pinched face. it seemed
as If, even row IN the Jaws of death,
he leaned upon his old schoolfellow
and looked to him for assistance. He
put wasted hand above the counter
paue and laid it upon Glrdlestone's.
'T wish to speak to you, John" he
said. II am very weak. Can you hear
what l say2"
Yes, l hear you"
"Give me spoonful from that bot
tie. 1t clears my mind for a time.
l have been making my will, John"
"Yes," said the merchant, replacing
the medicine bottle.
1.-THE lawyer made 1t this morning.
Stoop your head and you will hear me
better. have less than atty thousand
collars. ! should have done better
had I retired years ago"
II cold you So" the other broke In
gruffly.
''You did-you did. But acted for
the best. Forty thousand leave 70
my dear daughter Kate"
A lock of interest came over Girdie-
stones face How about the bal
anee1" he asked.
"a leave that to be equally divided
among the various LonGon instit9'