The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-08

The next day her aunt complained o. Sc
we're headache and feverish pains in her
Dsck. Kate, if trifle beadstrong was really
, good sort OF girl, as you will see. She az
once insisted that Mrs. Sbafto should lie in
bed, while che did the work. This was Dot
the Fl rat time she had done Homework, for
she had often shared with her mother the
work of their cosy little home. But here II
y as very different she found. There were 90
few utensils. and no one TO give any direc-
tons. So when she sat down by her aunts
bedside, late in the afternoon, she Was very
tired.
Even her ignorant eyes saw that Mrs.
Shafto was no better. In few minutes Mr..
Shsfto came in. looking so tired and worried
that bis wife Razed at him snxiously. de
sat down heavily in the wooden chair near
the bed room door, and leand his head on
bis hands.
David, what is itr asked Mrs. shafto,
feebly.
The revolvin' apparatus is broke" be
said, in such q leaden way that Kate gazsd
at him in surprise.
She knew partially what his words meant,
bat did not comprehend why thsy should
cause the sick woman to start up in bed, and
then sink back with groan.
And the steamer gone yesterday" she
cried out. "What shall you do2"
THE worst of it is" the man said, unless
it flashes, the craft will think it's the station
airy light on the west side, and I'm sure
there'll be terrible loss of life"
Mrs. Sbatto now sat upright in bed, in
spite of her severe headache.
And there's no way by which to send
word to the Marine Department." she said.
despairingly.
Her husband shook his head. "There
amt no way, as ye know. / can't let 'em
know till the next steamer comes, and then
40 h. 1ox kaf hen oh
with the machinery. But how be ye now?"
getting up and approaching the bed.
81 only want a little rest." she replied.
hastily; and added, 20, David what shall
you do bout the light? i can't sleep ii the
sailors are goin' to be decoyed by it. Think
of their vessels crashing on the rocks because
of that light!"
Kate, sensitive and weary, shuddered as
she heard her words.
Now, Cstbarine," said MI Shafto, don't
you go and worry. / shall stay up there. /
think can turn the light by hand Bat it's
goin' to be q tedious business You needn' {
think shall let the ships be deceived. You
get good sleep. That's all you've got to
do" Then, turning to Kate, he said, when
you can leave your aunt, come up into the
tower and see the light"
soon Mrs. Shafto was sleeping uneasily
Benny had come in, and was eating bread
and molasses with audible gusto at the kitch-
en- table.
"If your mother wants anything, you
wait upon her," she said, as she passed
through the room on her way to the light.
B, my nodded and Kate entered the cool,
gloomy and narrow stairway that wound Up
through the tower. As she emerged into the
small room where the great lamps were, she
vas greatly startled by seeiog her uncle on
his knees, with his arms out on the single
chair the place contained. and by hearing
MIN say. in q low, strained voice.
% Lord, help mel"
Kate hurried up the remaining steps, her
face pale with excitement, and fear of she
knew not what.
Uncle Dsvidl" she exclaimed; "what is
the NATTER Surely you and l can manage
to turn the light I'm strong and we'll, and
I've been brought up TO work. can do al
most anything il you'll teach me-"
There was courage and conviction in the
clear, pleasant voice, and the man was q
trifie cheered. He rose to his feet and turned
toward her. His face was haggard and his
eyes looked dull and heavy.
"Taint furnin' fer night it's for weeks"
he said, solemnlv. And the question is
can we hold outP We are responsible for
mems lives. i wanted to see ye and tell
ys how to do 1t, because my head has such
q feeling in Ii, and my back. that think /
may be taken down. While my mind is
clear want to make sure, you know. Some
how, you have look as IL We could be
trusted. Benny's too young, I'm afraid.
Nov you jest watch. I'm soln' through
the whole operation Of film and trimmin',
and then turnin'."
Kate did not answer. 1t was not necessary.
The man saw she was as eager as he could
desire. When he had poured the oil,
trimmed the wicks and polished the retiec
tors, he took out his watch and sat down.
Kate bent over him.
1T must fash every minute and half"
he 81 i'd, land this is the way. 1t amt very
easy. nor very hard, jest for time or two.
Set down here and lay the watch there"
Kate did as he babe her.
Nov turn
She bent forward, turned the wheels an
had the satisfaction of seeing the set of lights
slowly revolve.
There, We see they stop now" he said.
"Do it again."
He was satisfied.
and put 'em out at seven in the morning."
But can't you send for some one?" she
asked.
There amt anybody within milesj and
miles," was the answer; and when ye do
come to some body, he couldn't leave, for
he's q light kee per too. You don't know this
island. l must git down stairs now. Iwish
| could stiddy myself on your shoulder
Them are bad stairs for head like mine."
Kate went one step ahead of him down
the stairway, and he leaned his hand heav-
lily upon her. When they reached the liv-
ing-room, the man, whose force of will had
kept him up, sank in q faint upon the
floor.
Mrs. Shsfto was greatly alarmed, but she
was able to give directions to Kate; and in
halt an hour, with Benny's help, Kate had
brought down her own bed and bedstead
from the little chamber, and Mr. Shafto had
recovered consciousness enough to rise and
lie down upon it, where it was placed at one
side of the kitchen. As his head touched
the pillow he caught the girls hand and
,aid,-
Its my opinion we've both got typhoid.
Well see to ourselves. You tend to the light
-tend to the light" he repeated with pa
.hetic emphasis.
He did not speak coherent sentence after
that for many days.
You may trust me-" said Kate; but he
1id not hear her.
Now was . time to prove of what stuff
Kate was made. She passed the next hour
in making her two patients as comfortable
as she could, and then 1t was six O'Clock.
Then she made a basin of Cruel, and ate some
bread and molasses with Benny. After sup
per she took the boy out of doors.
Benny" she said, your father and moth
er may be Ill for many days. Can L depend
On your"
He leaned his back against the house,
ooked at her O moment aud then said with
DYes. sirr'
81 want you to wrap yourself in q com