St. Landry democrat., 1893-01-21

breakfast! Don't you know thai the
food is surely infected2 The only thing
to do is to k p by ones self and drink
lots of brandy. Will you try ball!''
" Thank you, no. replied Joe simply.
" I never drink i'll the morning; it makes
me nervous. OF course | realize that the
situation is most critical. and know that
VIC agree as to how it must be met. Ig-
norance is the only salvation for all these
delicate, eXcitable people. The disease
can be confined to the Storage, I'm sure,
and no one will be the wiser except you
and me, and we can stand it, hey, Major'
Those poor devils, I wish / could help
them, but we must be selfish for Mary's
sake
g shall warn every one"
"Don't be coward, Major.'
Coward! If we were ashore I would
make you cat that word. Just wait ~
But Joe had turned on his heel and
FASTENED away. A great light had burst
over his MUD dispelling a boyish phan.
tasy. Thenceforward he respected him
self.
Unluckily, however, ON his departure.
other passengers entered the room, and
to these the Major detailed the omnibus
news. 1t scattered like sparks through
out the ship, and sobs and pale faces and
curses attested its havoc.
The captain, accompanied by Joe, in
terrupted the Majors wild harangue.
$780, began that officer ''you have
played a manly part, haven't you!
Directly heard Of your intention, sir, l
was going to lock you in your state
room
"Don't you attempt to bully me- re-
torted the Major. Il know my rights
and my duties. You shan't poison us
unawares while I'm on guard. Come.
boys, another round of that preventive.
Some If the company applauded, but
others turned away with disgust, and to
these the Captain and Joe presented the
course of cool, deliberate action 50
forcibly that under their CO. cooperation the
reign Of order was in a degree restored.
But the Major remained pot-valiant in
the smoking room, and if his absence
was remarked. one faithful heart at
least, amid bcwidering doubts, etrove to
find excuses.
The next morning, when Joe arrived
on deck, there was the Major cxhilaratcd
and beaming, laying down precepts to
An admiring coterie.
"Hullo, old sour cheeks" he shouted.
"You look like the personiication Of
our good guest. Come, don't be
man: brace up and show
some nerve. What if life be short, if it
shall only be jollyH
Il can't keep my thoughts from those
sufferers below" said Joe, gravely.
''Thinh of the horrors Of that black hole.
At best"
Here al understeward approached,
handed q note to the Major, and RETIRED
The Major glanced at its superscription
and smiled resiynedly. He opened it.
The smile vanished. The note tioated to
he deck.
ooh" he cried. Its infected.
Look out
The group scattered, but Joe picked
Up the offending missive.
''What is III" he asked.
Read it - said the Major from bis re.
reat hy the rail And Joe read as fol
ows;
"DARL1SG: Little Grace is very sick--
nd I fear She has played between
lecks, YOU know. [ shall stay by the
,oor child. of course. 7 Nc care of your
lear self. Your MARY"
"Wha, are you going TO ,lpI" Joe de |
handed! tlrlWluV near
"Keep that hing away from ne. I'm
Ding to wash ny hands with vinegar as
Don rs | can
II shall 90 to her
"Dont COM" back IT, ny rtunl."
"Don'l trenblc: wor'." |
Joe raped on the door Of Mary's state
Dom. eyes, Herbert. came The ansu or,
nj through the crack appeared the girls
right, rapturous face.
ooh, it's only YOU" she exclaimed.
nd anxiety returned.
II came 10 offer MY help" said Joe.
And-and the Maior sends hi> dearest
ovc."
"Why didu't lie come liims"if.'
"What 5 this young man, what are YOU
DING here?' rasrcd grutf voice. and
oe, turning, confronted the ships
octo-.
u wanted to be Of some use" he
yes, and YOU VI only made b I
natter worse. | was about TO se0r.st,,,ts
lese two young people. and now I've
OF you on my hands. too. It's enough
} drive a man wild. There's no system.
D discipline; | have no nurses, no ap-
Ilances. The disease is spreading, and
ere you blunder--'
ooh, but you, can depend on me. be
eve me. Let me carry the little girl.
ne was ALWAYS fond of me-
Through tn" saloon. which was very
ear before them, fastened the three.
e stricken child close to Joe's heart,
II tiny arms clasped about his neck. s
oor simple Joe How the Major would q
I've laughed had he known his delight
ON that confding embrace. When
ey reached the remote room Joe laid
3 charge on the couch, and saying.
II forage for comforts" hurried away.
on to return heavily laden. And Mary r
!tched him with eyes heavy with regret n
knowledge. a
Come, my fine fellow, what shall I do r:
tn you?" asked the doctor, Without +,
= suspicion of a rasp. I,
ooh, you can't discharge mt, replied
e, lightly. I'm going witt you into
; steerage.' Il
But expostulated Mary II
There are no butts, my dear. After Sc
what difference can it make?' Of
What difference, indeed to poor Joe, s,
% welcomed this cataclysm as refuge q,
m despair; yet, ali! what difference II
the writhing wretches below, who
md hope in those fierce black eyes and g..
lrage from the light of that long ~ ~
tie face, and who welcomed that I'M ~
II 81