Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-06

scription Of a bungalow on the spurs o. the
Himalayas. Then she heard cry from below
cry as of pain or terror; and again the male
voice was audible, mingled with that Of the
widow. raised as in expostulation, protest OF
entreaty. At times the voices were loud, snd
then suddenly drowned.
Mrs. Sidebottom laid the book open on
the table, turned down to keep her place.
'eThe doctor. suppose" she thought; 'and
he has pronounced unfavorably of baby. Can't
they accept his verdict and let him 20, They
cannot do good BY talk. Inever saw anything
80 disagreeable as mothers, except, grand
mothers. What fuss they are making below
about that baby"
Presently she took up the book again and tried
to read but found herself listening to the voices
below, and only rarely could she catch the
tones OF Salome. All the talking was done BY
her mother and the mantle doctor.
Then Mrs. Sidebottom heard the door Of the
widows apartment open, and Immediately
after tread on the stairs Salome was no
doubt ascending to the nursery, but not hur.
riedly-indeed. the tread was like that of Sa-
lone. Mrs Sidebottom put the novel down
once more at the description of q serpent
charmer, and went outside her door, moved by
inquisitiveness.
"Is that the doctor belowf' she asked, as she
saw that Salome was mounting the stairs.
What opinion does he give of little Phil?"
Their she noticed that great change had
come over her hostess. Salome was ascending
painfully, with hand on the bannisters, draw
ing one foot up after the other as though she
were suffering from partial paralysis Her face
was white as chalk, and her eyes dazed as those
of a dreamer suddenly reused from sleep.
What is it?" asked Mrs Sidebottom again.
"Is baby worsef'
Salome turned her face to her. but did not
answer. All life seemed to have fed from her,
and she did not apparently hear the question
put to her. But she halted on the landing, her
hand still on the bannisters that ratified under
the pressure, showing how she was trembling.
"You positively must tell me-" said Mrs.
Sidebottom. What has the doctor said?'
But Salome. gathering up her energy. made
a rush past her. ran up two or three steps, then
relaxed her pace, and continued to mount, as
cending the last portion of the stair as one
climbing the final stretch of an Alpine peak,
tagged, faint, doubtful whether his strength
will hold out till he reach the apex.
Mrs. Sidebottom was offended.
This is rude," she muttered. 'But what is
to he expected of a bagman's daughter?" She
Reseating herself, she resumed her novel, but
found no further interest in it.
why" she exclaimed suddenly, ''the doctor
has not been upstairs; he has not seen the baby.
This is quaint"
Mrs. ellsworth did not appear at dinner.
Salome told Mrs. Sidebotrom that her mother
was very very i'll, and prayed that she might be
excused.
"OhF said Mrs. Sidebottom, II suppose the
doctor called to see your mother, and not the
baby. You are not chiefly anxious about the
latter?"
"Baby is unwell. but mamma is seriously II, ("
answered salome. looking down at her plate.
"Her illness does not seem to have affected
her conversational powers" said Mrs. Sidebot-
tom. II heard her talking great deal to the
doctor; but perhaps that is one of the signs Of
fever-is she delirlousT'
Salome made no reply. She maintained her
place at table, deadly pale; and though, during
dinner, she endeavored to talk, it was clear
that her mind was otherwise engaged.
Mrs. Sidebottom was thankful when dinner
was over. Mrs. Philip will never make a
hostess" she said to herself. "She is heavy
and dull. You can't make lace out of stocking
yarn"
When Salome rose, Mrs. Sidebottom said:
do not let me detain you from your mother;
and. by the way, l don't know if you have fam
lily prayers. 1 like them-they are good for the
servants and are token of respectability-bu
you will excuse me if I do not attend. am
awfully interested in my novel, and tired after
my journey-I shall go to bed"
Mrs. Sidebottom did not, however, 90 to bed;
she remained by the fire in the study, trying to
read, and specializing on Philips chances of
recovering part, If not all, of her lost money
chances which she admitted to herself were re-
mote.