'That man ran away with my wife, and I've hunted
them over sea and land. This is the first sight I've had of him.'
"'Then,' I said, 'if you mean to harm him, I'm afraid I can't bring you to
him.'
"'Him!' said the ragged man, disdainfully. 'I don't want to hurt him. I
only want to find out where she is. I swear I wouldn't harm either of
them.'
"I accompanied him to the city physician, with whom he had a long talk.
That official finally promised to take him to the lazaretto. The doctor led
the man to the side of the iron bed where the smallpox patient lay. The
latter started like a frightened child at sight of his pursuer.
"'Remember,' said the doctor to the sick man, 'you have scarcely a chance
for life. You would do well to tell the truth.'
"'Only tell me where she is,' pleaded the husband, 'and I'll forgive you
all.'
"The sick man gasped:
"'I left her in Philadelphia--at the station. She had smallpox. It was from
her I got it. I was a coward--a cur. I left her to save myself. The money I
had brought from home was nearly all gone. Ask her to forgive me.'
"He was dead that evening.
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