Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-10-27

"Hc--hc's goin'ter die, maybe" she
faltercd, piteously
mo, hope not"
"Joc's SICK" she repeated In a whia-
per, shaking her head.
"Who's Gomez" asked voice from
the bed In corner OF tho room.
Nellie, girl, who are ye tallsin' with2"
ut is DIR. Ford, whom you sont for"
said the physician, approaching the
bed
comfortless place, showing a 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.
slow long have you been illp" asked
Dr. Ford. sitting down on n riclsety
chair.
Its week since gave up, but I've
been feeling bad for long time"
The doctor placed his little thermom.
eter under tho patients tongue and
waited silently
"Joo's sicls," moancd tho girl, peer
ing out OF the shadows.
Tho sufferer seemed TO be- irritated
by the repetition OF these words and
made an impatient gesture, but as he
lid so glanced pitifully at the SLOUGH
ing figure.
"What you most need is good nurs-
ing" said tho doctor, after examining
the patient.
Tho mans face darlSoned. The wom-
an lowered aimlessly over the stove.
she's my wife," said tho sick man,
hoarscly. ~ know she amt quite like
other folks. But she's peaceable and
good, not bold and noisy like other
women. ! piticd her first Oft; then
got kind o. fond Of her. And she" -
The girl had crept to the bedside and
stood there with her vacant, troubled
face, fumbling with the pillows
Joe" she said, much us mother
might speak her baby's name.
| "She can't do nothing more for me
nor for herself" whispered the man,
as he claspcd one Of tho Tutoring
hands in his.
poor thingi" murmurcd the doctor.
~ can earn good wages when I'm
WELL" went on the invalid, land I did
the cooking and kept the house tidy
then. Now everything's going wrong
She spoils all the victuals, but she don't
mean to-"
At this nome mt something ON the
stove boiled over with loud hiss and
filled the room with the odor OF scorch.
ing milk The girl started. then moved
toward the ruined mess.
"Oh, dear mel" said the sick man, un-
der his breath. Don't burn yourself,
Nellie" lie called, ms II TO a child.
tits scorchcd, joe" she said, the
tears overlooking at last.
"Ncvcr mind, my girl. throw II away,
We can get plenty more. You see, doc
tor" he said, In his hoarse voice, al
can't speak rough to her She's my
wife"
The doctor sat with bent head, speech
less.
"Tll send you nurse, my man." he
said, after pause. "Whnt you need
Ii good caro-. will come again 10
morrow" And with low bow to mai
and wife, now clinging together, han,
in hand, the doctor said goodnight, an,
went ON his way.
THANK you, SIR" called out the sicl
! man, much moved
, The girl only stared and wiped tn,
last tear from her lnsheA
Two hours later capable, kind
hearted woman was installed as nurse
In the little home by tho river. Sh,
= brought with her food in abundance
and comforts Of all kinds.
| DR. Ford drove slowly homeward
Z | THOUGH II laia "a larinhN iiarht abnnl
from the parlor window as he stopped
. The glow OF wood FIRE illuminate,
: tho room as no entered. But no on
came 10 meet him. His wife sat In he
. ! rocker fast asleep. The lamp threw
radiance over her bronze-brown hal
10 aud one delicate cheek as she slept wit
her head against tho crimson buck O
the chair. Her face woro sweet
childlite expression, with touch q
p pathos about the lips, and her hand
lay closely clasped in the lap Of he
gown OF soft dove color
Near the fire stood white drape
table holding n tempting little repasi
. carefully arranged, From n slende
glass In the midst hung one red rose
. The doctor knew she had cut II for hin
from her favorite plant On u prett
!. plate reposed the falfiest and mos
10 delectable OF mince pies,
DIR. Ford stopped and kissed his wife
fair cheek reverently. She stirred
a then opened her large eyes slowly.
. "Oh. you have come am Sorry
] was not awake TO meet you. But here
a mince pie. | sont over 70 your mothe
4 for one"
i Hang the piel" cried John Ford
- "Elinor, am bruter'
"oh, no, denr-only a man, instead @
e an urchangel. as l once believed you
be- But never mind How do 20
like my dress7"
at is divine and you nre an ange
Elinor But, dearest, come and sit b
me. have just been TO see a gentle
man I tuant IN tall vnu all about IL -