Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-10-13

into his face.
What's the matter?"
"lle-hc's goin'ter die, maybe" she
faltcred, ritcously.
"No, hope not"
'Joe's sick" she repeated In a whis-
per, shaking her head.
who's Gomez" asked voice from
the bed In corner Of the room.
Nellie, girl, who are ye talkin' within"
at Is DIR Ford, whom you sent for,
said the physician, approaching the
bed
Ono candle lighted dimly the untidy,
comfortless place, showing n stove and
man with tumbled hair aud rough
beard lying among the pillows Of his
bed.
"Oh, the doctor" said he, with fever
ish eyes staring from under the shaggy
brows
"Ilow long have you been ilip" asked
DR. Ford, sitting down on q rickoty
chair
ITS week since gave up, but I've
been feeling bad for long time"
The doctor placed his little thermom-
ctcr under tho patients tongue and
waited silently
Joc's sick" moaned the girl. peer
ing out OF the shadows.
Tho sufferer seemed 10 be irritated
by the repetition OF these words and
made an impatient gesture, but ~ ne
lid 80 glanced pitifully NJ the SLOUGH.
ing figure.
What you most need Is good nurs-
ing" said tho doctor, after examining
the patient
The mans face darlSened. The wom-
an lowered aimlcssly over the stove.
shes my wife" said the sick man,
hoarscly. 81 know she amt quite like
other folks But she's peaceable and
good, not bold and noisy like other
women. piticd her flrst Oft, then !
got kind o fond Of her. Aud sho" -
The girl had crept to the bedside and
stood there with her vacant, troubled
face, fumbling with the pillows.
Joe" she said, much as n mother
might speak her baby's name.
"Shc can't do nothing moro for me
nor for herself" whispered tho man,
as he clnspcd one Of the nutterinQ
hands in his
Poor thingl" murmured the doctor.
II can earn good wages when I'm
WE'LL" went on the invalid, and ! did
the cooking and kept the house tidy
then. Now everything's going wrong.
she spells all the victuals, but she don't
mean to-"
AT this nome mt something on the
stove boiled over with n loud hiss and
filled the room with the odor Of scorch.
ing milk. The girl started, then moved
toward the ruined mess.
"Oh, dear mew said the sick man, un
der his breath, Don't burn yourself
Nellie" lie called, as II 10 child.
ITS scorchcd, joe" she said, tb,
tears OVERLOOKING at last
Never mind, my girl, throw II away
We can ret plenty more. You see, doc
tor" lie said, In his hoarse voice, "I
can't speak rough TO her. She's my
wife"
The doctor sat with bent head, speech
less.
I'm send you n nurse, my man." he
said, after n pause. what you need
IL good care. will come again to
morrow" And with low bow 10 mar
md wife, now clinging together. hand
in hand, the doctor said good night, and
went ON his way.
"Thnnk you, sir" called out the sicli
man, much moved.
The girl only stared and wiped tho
last tear from her lashes
Two hours later u capable, kind
hearted woman was installed as nurse
In the little homo by the river. She
brought with her food in abundance
and comforts Of all kinds.
DIR. Ford drove slowly homeward
Though IL was late IA bright light shone
from the parlor window as he stopped
The glow Of a wood fire illuminated
the room ns no entered But no one
came to meet him. His wife snt In her
rocker fast asleep Tho lamp threw a
radiance over her bronze brown hair
aud one delicate cheek as she slept with
her head against tho crimson back OF
the chair Her face wore n sweet,
childlike expression, with touch OF
pathos about the lips, and her hands
lay closely clasped In tho lap Of her
gown OF soft dove color.
Near the fire stood q white draped
table holding tempting little repast,
carefully arranged. From a slender
glass Ia the midst hung one red rose.
The doctor knew she had cut II for him
from her fnvorite plant On u pretty
plate reposed the nakiest and most
delectable Of mince pies,
DR. Ford stopped and kissed his wiies
fair cheek reverently. She stirred,
then opened her large eyes slowly.
"Oh, you have come. ! am Rorry ]
was not awake to meet you. But here's
a mince pie. J sent over 70 your mother
for one"
Hang the piel" cried John Ford.
"Elinor, am brutel'
"Oh, no, dear-only a man, instead OF
an archangel, as once believed you 10
be. But never mind. How do you
like my dress2'
at is divine and you are an angel,
Elinor. But, dearest, come and sit by
me. have just been TO see gentle
man. want to tell you all about it,
"A.