The Argosy — page 173: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

156 ISABEL CLIFFORD, M.D. I, | in one of the loveliest valleys of the Bernese Oberland—the lovely valley of Rosenwald—is a nook where nestles a small hotel or Jarge pension, much frequented by artists of every nationality. It was looking its loveliest one night when an August moon filled it with a light far more beautiful than the day. So thought one of the visitors who sat, wrapped in her dressing-gown, studying the weird effects of deep shadow on the still, pine-clad slopes before her window. She had sat there for nearly an hour, drinking in with quiet delight the beauty of the scene, when a hurried knock at her door startled her. “Is it you, Auntie? Is anything the matter?” she said, in a low tone, as she slipped back the bolt and opened the door. ‘““Tsabel, that baby in the room next mine has got croup. I’m sure of it. Won't you go and see it?” The old lady’s tone was one of pleading, and she looked doubtfully at her niece as she spoke. “Won't you go, Auntie? Id so much rather not i ‘Oh, I’m too nervous. Of course they have no doctor, and I don’t believe that poor young mother knows what to do.” ‘Do you think so? Perhaps ‘4 ‘Don’t delay, dear. They will be glad énough to have your advice when they know.” Miss Clifford obeyed without further hesitation. She went to the room whence issued the distressing sounds which every mother knows and dreads. Her knock was not heard; so she entered and went to the bedside before the child’s mother was aware of her presence. “Will you let me look at your child?” said Isabel, gently. “I am a doctor.” ‘““T don’t know what ails her; she is very ill,” was all the mother answered ; but she stood aside and held the candle so that Isabel might see the little patient. ‘You must ring for some boiling water,” commanded the doctor, after a quick glance round the room. Mrs. Lawrence obeyed with an encouraging sense of trust in the stranger, who had so unexpectedly appeared in her utmost need. She knew very little about children, for this was her first; and she had never in her life before felt.so helpless as when she knelt by her darling’s side, afraid to leave her even to ask advice and aid. In avery few minutes, Miss Clifford dipped a sponge into hot water, and, opening the little nightgown, she laid it on the child’s throat. Some moments went by in silence ; presently the harsh, ringing sound grew less distressing, and the pulse in the tiny wrist became slower. The two women did not speak Gomilcbooks. co m