Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-01-24

smile. He pointed 10 MS throuV "n~
made An effort to speak, but vainly.
Then he crouched down in the grass ana
writped in tortue like q hunted animal
wounded TO death. l left him and walked
on rapidly; reaching the harbour, where
the heat was sulphurous and intense,
found few scared-l0oking men stand
ing aimlessly about, TO whom i eX-
nlained the boys case, and appealed Tor
assistance. They all hung backbone
of them would accompany me, not even
for the gold / offered. Cursing their
cowardice, l hurried on In search OF o
musician, and found one ut last--a sal
low Frenchman, who listened with OBJ
vious reluctance TO my account OF the
condition I'm which / had left the little
fruit seller, and at the end SHOOK MS
head decisively and refused to move.
HE is as good rs dead" he observed
with cold brevity. ''Better call at the
house OF the Misericordia; the brethren
will fetch his body" ..
.'What!' cried; ''you will not try II
Won can save him?"
The Frenchman bowed with satirical
suavity.
.sMonsicur must pardon me! My own
health would be seriously endan-
gered by touching o cholera corpse:
Allow me to wish monsieur the good
day."
And he disappeared, shutting his door
in nv face. was thoroughly exasper-
ated. and though the heat and the f9tid
odour of the sun-baked streets made me
feel faint and sick, forgot all danger
for myself as / stood in the plague
stricken city, wondering what should
do next to obtain succour. A grave KIM
voice saluted my ear.
"You seek aid, my son?"
| I looked up. A tall monk, whose
cowi partly concealed his pale but reso-
Int features, stood at my side-one OF
those heroes who, for the love Of Christ,
came forth at that terrible time and
faced the pestilence fearlessly where the
blatant boosters OF no religion scurried
away. like frightened hares from the
very scent of danger. / greeted him
with an obeisance, and explained my err
rand.
II will 90 at once" he said, with an
accent of pity In his voice. ''But fear
the worst. have remedies with me; l
may not be too late"
81 will accompany you," ] said eager
". zone would not let dog die un-
aided; much less the poor lad who seems
friendless."
The monk looked at me attentively as
we walked on together.
0You are not residing in Naples?" he
asked.
gave him my name, which he knew
by repute, and described the position Oi
my villa.
''Up on that height we enjoy perfect
the manic that prevails in the city. The
plague is fostered by such cowardice."
'.Of counsel" he answered calmly.
"But what will you? The people here
love pleasure Their hearts are sci
solely on this life. When death, com
mon to all, enters their midst, they are
like babes scared by dark shadow, Re-
hgion itself"-here he sighed deeply
'has no hold upon them"
"But you, my father" began, AND
stopped abruptly, conscious OF o sharl
throbbing pain in my temples.
81" he answered gravely, lam the
servant Of Christ. As such, the plague
has no terrors for me. Unworthy rs
am, for my Master sake am ready
Inay, -willing-to face all death"
He spoke firmly, yet without AFRO
lgance. looked at him In certain I'D
miration, and was about to speak, when
In curious dizziness Overcame me, and
lcaught ut his arm to save myself from
failing. The street rocked like ship at
sea, and the skies whirled round me In
circles OF blue fire. The feeling slowly
passed-and heard the monks voice,
as though 1t were long way of. asking
me anxiOusly what was the matter,
forced smile.
at is the heat. think" said. In
feeble tones like those of very aged
man. ~ am faint-glddy. You had
best leave me here--see TO the boy. Oh.
my GOd'
This last exclamation was wrung out
Of me by sheer anguish. My limbs re-
fused to support me, and a pang, colo
and bitter as though naked steel had
been thrust through my body, caused
me to sink down upon the pavement In
q kind of convulsion. The tall and
sinewy monk, without u mOmeft's hes
itation, dragged me up ana naII carrleu'
half led me into a kind Of auberge. or
restaurant for the poorer classes. Here
he placed me in q recumbcnt position on
one OF the wooden benches, and called
up the proprietor of the place, q man to
whom he seemed TO be well known.
Though suffering acutely was con-
sciOus, and could hear and see every
thing that passed.
ATTEND to him well, PletrO-lt is the
rich Count FabiO Romani. Thou wilt
not lose by thy pains. l will return
within an hour"
1.-THE Count Romani! Santissima Ma
donna! He has caught the plague"
Thou fool!" exclaimed the monk.
fiercelv. "How canst thou tell? A
stroke OF the sun is not the plague, thou
coward! See TO him, or by st. Peter and
the keys there shall be no place for thee