The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-03-06
rick was afraid to let Mr.. Bingham leave

And he walked beside her, looking so
grim, that Mollie, who had intended to
bring about better understanding, lost
heart and walked in silence also. So they
reached the old house, where the rest of the
party were waiting for them-a ruinous old
building, with q general air of sullen
wretchedness brooding over it. The man
of whom Mollie had spoken lay within in a
sitting den, destitute even of window;
matted, begrimed, raving and horrible to
look at, as dimly seen in the dark bedroom.
Tom made brief examination and came
out to the expectant party, carefully shut
ting the door after him. -.
'Well, what is itr" said everybody TO-
gether.
malignant smallpox answered Tom.
'Good heavens
It was Bingham who exclaimed, shrink
ing back, as he spoke, from Toms near
neighborhood: "Why, we have been here
long enough to contract the disease. Aunt
Miss Mollie pray let me persuade you to
THANK YOU" returned the younger lady,
without stirring, and still looking at Tom.
But what are yo~ going to do, MI Du
CPurln
"Stay here,n said Tom.
'sIn this dreadful dent"
Toms face lighted up.
ssIn this dreadful den man Is dying for
want of the commonest care; and know
the people Of this country. Neither man
nor woman could be hired to act as his
nurse or argued out of their fears. have
no such fears, and it is my duty as physi-
cian."
Mollie cast an appealing look at Mrs. Slap
Derrick.
sBut how can you live, Mr. Du Cnuri"
"He can not livel Tom, will not allow
It'll" exclaimed his aunt.
81 think you would not wish me to leave
any human being to dogs death, an
swered Tom, resolutely. Sand for living,
you and Miss Mollie will send me a basket
Orwell, the delicacies of the season and
such medicines as / shall order every day,
and Dayton will 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.
sYou are a hero" she said. IA real hero
and truly brave man! l never respected
a man in my life as do you, Mr.. Du Cour,
and whatever can do to help you shall be
DONE"
The next moment she was shocked and
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
Bingham's luck paled before it. He was
not only Mollie's hero, but everybody's
event Of the day. In vain be protested that
it was not a basket for garrison or hospi-
tai The ladies had a theory that the more of
good thing the better, and sent him every
thing on which they could get their unscru-
pulous little fingers Mollies contribution
leaves and q bouquet attached, or what
Tom valued more, note, reading some
thing like this:
mr.. Du C0ur:
DEAR SIR: How is your gorilla? and are
aunt n Mrs. Star Slap Derrick, wishes You would
write. Mr.. Dayton 10 so unsatisfactory. He
never will say anything but that you are
Jolly: or living like bricks or something
And though this may not be model note
in style, and certainly was written in a
schoolgirl hand, M. Miller'' herself, not
| the least exacting of persons, would have
been satisfied with the reception that Tom
| gave 1t, though he never answered for fear
Of sending them smallpox in an envelope
| during his whole six weeks Of trial.
But the weeks themselves were done at
last. Toms gorilla 'restored-no great
benefit to society in that. He was but a
poor, drunken creature at his best; and
Tom came back gaunt and pale. Moliie,
| 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 a
hero, never written him any notes Tom
| grew desperate and spoke out:
II wish that l was back again with the
| gorilla"
sWhyl" asked Mollie, with a little start.
because then you were kind to me.
| Now you seem to hate me-"
Il 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-"
MALTA 1nnHo1 OF n,,sn nA
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 a rap
| ture.
"What!" cried high voice, that made
| you are not ashamed of yourself
Mrs. Miller had come upon them un-
| awares. Mollie uttered faint shrek. Tom
| put his arm quietly about her waist and
explained that he wished to marry her
| daughter.
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 beggarlyf' inquired another
shrill voice, Mrs. Slap Derrick coming in in
| great wrath. 'Let me tell you, madam,
that Tom Du CGur will succeed to three
fourths OF the Slap Derrick estate; and Mys.
Tom Du Ceur will wear the Slap Derrick
diamonds"
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!r said Dayton, much vexed.
In the morning Tom was i'll. By night
he was worse.
"Cold 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 DIR. Wiseacre's hens and
haws may be said to have saved Toms life.
Fate must always drive him into 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.
II