Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-08-29
Fortescue's Sore Throat.

u
spring; gentle wind caressed the ten.
der leaves which had burst forth in the
night; bird twittered now and again
with that peculiar clearness of sound
that only the first birds of the season
seem to possess, and the sun had sent
its heralds of the dawn far in advance
long lines ofyellow, purple and crimson,
with tender pink and blue still higher
i n the sky.
Mr.. Fortescue had risen early on pur-
pose to feast his eyes and mind on the
beauty of the landscape, and stood lost
in thought at his dressing-room window.
A plain business man, q thoroughbred
man, his neighbors called Ned Fortes-
cue; but he had an artists eye and q
keen poetic instinct.
But suddenly his face clouded- he
had heard q sound that he understood
only too we'll. A harmless noise you
would have thought it-merely sli ght
jar of iron against wood as Mrs. Fortes-
cue turned the bed-key.
"She's taking down our bed, as I'm
aliver' eoliloquized Mr.. Fortescue.
"That means housekeeping, and no
peace for a week at least. What can be
I'm sure every carpet in the house was
lifted last fall"
The husband stood looking out of the
window, but no longer needing the
sunrise-he was revolving plan. "I'll
risk it" ne said at last, and proceeded to
hunt up some strips of flannel.
Just as he was swathing his throat in
long strip of red flannel Mrs. Fortes-
cue came to the door.
"I've taken the bed down, Ned, and
shall set to work at once. Hear the
birds, it's high time we were through
house cleaning. But, my dear Ned,
what is the matter? Don't tell me
you've sore throatw
Mr.. Fortescue nodded, pointed to his
throat, and shook his head, as if solemn
ly to indicate that speech was an impos-
sibility.
Dear me! how very unfortunate. I
can't possibly clean house with yon
Mr.. Fortescue turned suddenly to the
window lest his delight should betray
him.
1--WE must send for DR.. Horton" con-
tinued his wife, "and you must not
leave these rooms. do not wish to
alarm you, my dear, but you know diph-
liberia is 80 catching, and the children"
For . moment more our hero wavered;
he had not any idea of being quaran-
tined. Besides. the doctor would see
through his deception. If only his wife
would have held her tongue for few
minutes he would have confessed his
wickednese, and thrown himself upon
her mercy; but she, foolish woman, did
not know when to keep still. "Ill tell
you, Ned, what I'll do" eff it's not clear
diphtheria, I'll just run off with the
children up to Aunt Msria's, and then,
if you are not better, I'll leave them
there and come back. To be sure, I
want to nurse you"
here was q respite! No house clean
ing, and q house all to himself at that
lovelieet time of the year. Annie was
such slave to her house and her child.
rem that he couldn't be blamed If she
seemed tiresome once in q while! So Mr..
Fortescue (speaking az hoarsely as he
could, and 90 over-acting that Annie be-
gan to fear pneumonia, and was thor
oughly frightened) agreed to take his
breakfast apart from his family and see
the doctor as soon as possible.
you'll be able to swallow soft-boiled
egg, dear, and q cup of coffee, won't
you?" said Mrs. Fortescue, and Ned, who
could have eaten three or four mutton
chops with relish, had to look i'll and
nod acquiescence.
DR.. Horton was sent for, and came
ound promptly, and as Mrs. Fortescue
was washing the breakfast china, she
sent him up to see her husband, intend
ing to follow soon.
Ipm in q pickle, and I must talk fast"
said the patient, in . remarkably clear,
smooth voice, "for my wife will be up in
To tell the truth, Horton, I've
slammed sick to get rid of the house
and you must help me out. |
Your bill would have come in Q month
later if had not, for Annie is always
sick after spring cleaning. Now, tell
her I've got diptheritic throat-noth- |
ing serious, but that it would be safer for
} e. to take the children to Aunt Ma.
II know your wife to well to imagine |
he'd leave you" said the doctor, for /