for this lady to have a female with her than men. It'll make her feel
more natural and easy, won't it ma'm?"

"O, thank you a thousand times, sir," replied Agnes, most deeply
affected by the considerate gallantry of the kind-hearted, manly
fellow, who was hugging the baby up to him just like a father, and
keeping it quiet by all sorts of baby talk.

In about half an hour the other man returned with a Sister of Mercy,
who at once recognized Agnes. She was one of those with whom Agnes had
come on the cars into Shreveport.

The injured girl whispered in her ear how she was hurt, and Sister
Mary dispatched the man who had brought her hither, for additional
help, which in a short time arrived.

As soon as the doctor came and examined the injury Agnes had
sustained, he found that, independent of the fracture of the spine,
she was much hurt internally. He had no hopes of her recovery, and he
commenced, in a roundabout way to break the opinion to her; but she
saw it already in his face, and interrupted him:

"Ah, Doctor, I know all. Do not hesitate to tell me exactly how long I
have to live. I have no fear of death, I am prepared for it."

The physician thereupon informed her that she might possibly survive
forty-eight hours.

"Forty-eight hours!" she rejoined, "that is much longer than will be
needed for what I wish to do."