The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-17


nor woman could be hired to act as his
nurse or argued out Of their fears l have
no such fears, and it is my duty as physi-
clan"
Mollie cast an appealing look at Mrs Slap
| Derrick.
But how can you live, Mr. Du Coeursn
''He can not liveI Tom, will not allow
| it, exclaimed his aunt
II think you would not wish me to leave
| any human being to a dogs DEATH" an
swered Tom. resolutely. And for living,
| you and Miss Mollie viii send me basket
Of-well, the delicacies of the season and
such medicines as l shall order every day,
| and Dayton viii leave it outside the door"
Mollie came close to him with the look
| that she had worn when she had thanked
him for her life.
"You are hero" she said. ga real hero
and a truly brave man! / never respected
a man in my life as do you, Mr.. Du Coeur,
and whatever can do to help you shall be
DONE
The next moment she was shocked and
scandalized at herself and turned hastily
away; but she could not take back her
words. And Tom lived on them through
all the weary weeks that were to come.
His star was in the ascendant now, and
Bingharn's luck paled before IT, He was
not only Mollie's hero, but everybody's
hero. The packing of his basket was the
event of the day. In vain he protested that
it was not a basket for a garrison or hospi-
tai. The ladies had theory that the mora of
good thing the better. and sent aim every
thing on which they could get their unscru-
pulous little fingers. Mollie's contribution
was always by itself in a dish covered with
leaves and bouquet attached, or what
Tom valued more, note, reading some
thing like this:
"Mr. Du C4ur:
DEAR SIR: How is your gorilla? and are
you sure you are quite well: And your
Nr= Sl0Ta hnN. al- riGhn q
write. Mr.. Dayton is so unsatisfactory. He
never will say ANYTHING but that you are
Jolly. or living like bricKs.,o or sometsing
of that sort. NJ. MILLER
And though this may not be a model note
in style, and certainly was written in a
schoolgirl hand, M. Miller herself. not
the least exacting of persons, would have
Deen satisfied with the reception that Tom
gave it, though he never answered for fear
Of sending tl,em smallpox in an envelope
during his whole six weeks of trial.
But the weeks themselves were done at
last. Toms gorilla res0ored-no great
benefit to society in that. He was but
poor, drunken creature at MS best: and
Tom came back gaunt and pale. Mollie,
who had been most anxious for his coming.
when he did come, turned shy. She was
only brave on impulse; and now he was
close by her he looked formidable. She
wished that she had never called him 4
hero. never written him any notes. Tom
grew desperate and spoke out:
Il wish that l was back again with the
gorilla
Why" asked Mollie, with a. little start.
because then you were kind to me.
Now you seem TO hate me-"
i am sure do not hate you," answered
Mollie, raising her eyes to his, and the eyes
said so much that Tom grew holder.
But am not satisfied with that, Mollie.
want you to love me-"
Mollie looked up at him quickly, and
looked down as quickly, and tried to get
away the hand that he had taken, and
failing. dropped her head on his shoulder.
MY darling" murmured Tom, in rap
ture.
''Whatr' cried high voice, that made
them both start. Mary Miller! wonder
you are not ashamed of yourself
Mrs. Miller had come upon them I'M
awareS. Mollie uttered faint shrek. Tom
put his arm quietly about her waist, and
explained that he wished to marry her
Mrs. Miller, being in a towering rage at
the downfall of her design on the Slap
Derrick diamonds, retorted with something
about ''beggarly scape-graces."
And why beggarly.' inquired another
shrill voice, Mrs. Slap Derrick coming in in
great wrath. Let me tell you, madam,
that Tom Du COeur will succeed to three
fourths of the Slap Derrick estate; and Mrs.
Tom Du Coeur will wear the Slap Derrick
OF course in half an hour everybody in
the house knew just what Mrs. Miller had
said, and Mrs. Slap Derrick had said and |
Dayton came, beaming, to congratulate
Tom.
Tom smiled family.
PLUCK has done its work. 1t is time for |
my luck DAYTON"
Stuff said Dayton, much vexed
In the morning Tom was i'll. By night |
he was worse.
Gold and fatigue said the sanguine.
Smallpox" limited the foreboding. ''Ty- |
phOid," pronounced Dayton.
Typhoid it was. Doctors were brought, |
and doctors from the first shook their heads. !
Generally that is as good for the patient as |
if Death himself had nodded at him. But |
really think that DR.. Wiseacre's hens and |
hawS may be said to have saved Toms life. |
Fate must always drive him into a corner |
to make him stand at bay. He kindled. as |
he had done before. at the apparent deSpera- |
ton of his prospects, and vowed that he |
would get up.
Everybody set up shout of horror. Tom |
persisted.
4 am convinced said he that it is rot |
Woodworking more than cold, watching, |
and my luck making last attempt to trip !
me; and L am not going to be trpped by it; |
SO you need not look at me as if | was |
marked for Paradise per Deaths express. l |
shall not stay in bed. Aunt Slap Derrick,
and l will not be doctored Mrs Miller; and |
ladies', really beg your pardon, but l an
going now to make my toilet"
The last was irresistible, and Toms we'll
wishers retired. leaving him the field.
Everybody prophesied, by way of revenge, |
that he was dead man; but Tom only |
laughed at them and got well under their
very noses. After that he was set up as an
oracle as well as a hero, and ruled every
body, married Mollie. and is considered by |
that lady and Mrs. Slap Derrick, to this |
lay, as paragon OF men-all thanks to |
nluck ~ y Mn,lE