"What did you call the gentleman?" Miss McDonald asked, her voice

faltering and her cheek blanching a little.

"Mr. Thornton, from Cuylerville, a place far in the country," was the

girl's reply, and then, without waiting to hear more, Miss McDonald

darted away, and, going to the office, turned the leaves of the register

to the date of ten or eleven days ago, and read with a beating heart and

quick coming breath: "Guy Thornton, lady, two children, and servant. Nos. ---- and ----."

Yes, it was Guy; there could be no mistake, and in an instant her

resolution was taken. Calling to her maid, she sent for her shawl and

hat, and then bidding her follow, walked away in the moonlight. The

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previous summer when at Saratoga she had received medical treatment from

Dr. Schwartz, whom she knew well and to whose office she directed her

steps. He seemed surprised to see her at that hour, but greeted her

cordially and asked when she came to town and what he could do for her.

"Tell me if this is still a safeguard," she said, baring her beautiful

white arm and showing a large round scar. "Will this insure me against

disease?"

The doctor's face flushed, and he looked uneasily at her as he took her

arm in his hand, and, examining the scar closely, said: "The points are still distinct. I should say the vaccination was

thorough."

"But another will be safer. Have you fresh vaccine?" Daisy asked; and he

replied: "Yes, some just from a young, healthy heifer. I never use the

adulterated stuff which has been humanized. How do I know what humors

may be lurking in the blood? Why, some of the fairest, sweetest babies

are full of scrofula!"

He was going on further with his discussion, when Daisy, who knew his

peculiarities, interrupted him: "Never mind the lecture now. Vaccinate me quick and let me go."

It was soon done, the doctor saying as he put away his vial: "You were safe without it, I think, and with it you may have no fears

whatever."

He looked at her curiously again as if asking what she knew or feared,

and, observing the look, Daisy said to him: "Do you attend the lady at the hotel?"

He bowed affirmatively and glanced uneasily at Sarah, who was looking on

in surprise.

"Is she very sick?" was the next inquiry.

"Yes, very sick."

"And does no one care for her but her husband?"

"No one."

"Has she suffered for care--a woman's care, I mean?"

"Well, not exactly, and yet she might be more comfortable with a woman

about her. Women are naturally better nurses than men, and Mr. Thornton

is quite worn out, but it does not make much difference now; the lady--"




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