Year: 1874

VIM. II. Maher, in Hearth and Home.l


"You wished to see me, Doctor?''


81 did, Miss Dallas, and upon q
very serious matter. Pardon me il
/ appear to he meddling with your
secrets; do it only to save fellow
creatures life 4"


The young woman's face flushed
during the remarks, but paled when
he spoke so gravely. He contln-
ued:


"Three weeks ago ! was called to
the bedside of Harry Gilman, and
found him pros'rated with brain fe-
yer. Isaw at the outset that the case
was desperate one, but hoped that
skill and care might bring him
through. From that day until this |
have been almost constant in my at
tendance upon him; have battled
with the disease inch by inch; and
striven with what skill had at com
mand to save him


EARLY in my attendance | saw
there was some dreadful disappoint-
ment beneath his malady, if not the
cause of his prostration. la the
hours that his mind wandered, your
name WAS constantly on his tongue.
His sister told me, In answer TO my
questions, that Harry was deeply and
truly in love with you, but that an es-
arrangement has come between. you
lately; and think this blow has been
the one that brought him under my
care Tonight the crisis in his dis
ease will be reached, and TO- ight
will answer our questions as TO
whether he will live or die. Without
any help but such as can render
him he may be saved; but a mans
life is too great jewel to tritie with.
and we feel if you would but help US
we could surely save him. will you
consent to assist us?'


"What could l dor" she asked.


"The plan have market out in
my mind,' said he, sis simply this:
About midnight he will arouse from
his present stupor and in the next
ten minutes his fate will be decided.
The main point will be to have him
make an effort for his own life
Should he try to live, his changes
will be among the best; should he
make no such effort, we mil ght with
stimulants carry him beyond dsnger;
but if at that moment he recalls the
past, and despondently sinks under
it, no power under heaven but you
can cave him -


"And what would you have me
do?"


"Just this, Miss Dallas: If when
he awakens he is hopeful and remem-
bers nothing of his disappointment,
we will not need you at all But
should he begin to sink, the sight OF
you would save him."


But how?"


"We could pretend you had recalled
your decision of few weeks ago.


"Oh, that would be too horrible! |
could never do that "


mot to save a mans life3" he
asked, solemnly.


"He would not thank me for saving
his life by such a mockery," she
said. "Why, | might have to say
that 1 loved him. might l not?'


"Yes."


"Oh, l could not do itl''


"Not even to save his life?'


"You said that before" she said,
"hut not even for that could do this
thing. Harry and l have ever been
dear friends. I never fancied that
he could love me until he surprised
me by his avowal, and then told him
it could not be. How could | stand
at his bedside now and say that
loved him! No, no, it cannot be
Think of some other plan"


81 have thought of all ways, Miss
Dallas. l may not have to ask yor
to do this thing that you dislike sc
much, unless in the contingency
spoke of. I will not say to you wha
you ought to do, nv dear young lady