The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-18

The professor was a man of decision
| in most things. He promptly dressed
himself, aroused the old woman, bade
her sit by the child and went for the
doctor. That dignifed person on ar
irving looked wise and said:
II am afraid she is in for the meales
OR the scarlet fever-or else a bilious
fever. It is really impossible to tell at
this stage" ,,
He gave explicit directions as to
treatment and promised to call again
in the afternoon. When he did so he
shook his head and said:
Professor, this child needs a wo-
mans care"
"I- I suppose you are right But
what shall I do9 She will not allow
my cook to come near her."
Get professional nurse"
'There are only two in town--and
they are both young-and-well,
you know-I-I live here alone" =.
well, sir, you must manage 1t
somehow.
The doctor went away, leaving the
professor much disturbed. A few
minutes later the old woman inform
ed him that Miss Riker was at the
kitchen door inquiring about Mary.
The Professor felt that he ought to
answer such an inquiry in person.
81 am much troubled" he said ''for
the doctor thinks Mary ought to have
a woman's care and she will not toler-
ate the cook"
Eyes, so the cook told me, 'answer-
ed Mabel. After minutes hesitation
she added: II think Mary would let
me take care of her."
II am sure she would" declared
the professor, warmly. ''That is. of
course, if-if-it were-possible."
IT think it might be donesaid Mabel
softly.
DO youa HOWE"
"Let her come to our house."
"But would your mother be will
ing2 :,
"Oh, yes; she suggested it. She's
very fond of Mary"
| All, yes; it is extremity good of you
land your mother. I'll speak to the
doctor about it."
"Oh, thank you," exclaimed Mabel
''How good-I mean-you-well-
please let me know what the doctor
says" s.,
And she departed in some haste and
in evident confusion.
| AS for the professor he would have
worshiped her more than ever had
| that possible.
| The doctor came again and consent:
ed to the removal. Indeed, he urged
that the child be taken to the Rike1
house at once, for he himself was at
loss to cope with the disease without
a woman's help.
| So Mary was very carefully wrap
ped in blankets and Uncle Arthur car.
ried her to the little bed which had
been prepared for her.
"I don't-I don't know how to ex.
press my gratitude to you, Miss Riker
| he said, with feeling. 'The child has
become very dear to me-"
Don't speak of gratitude, professor
said Mabel, frankly, extending her
hand; "I love Mary"
The professor took the profered
hand and they stood gazing silently al
one another till Mabel seemed sudden.
ly to recover consciousness, drew he1
hand away and went about duties as
nurse with bright eyes.
At night little Mary became deliri.
Gus. Sometimes she called for Mabel
and sometimes for Uncle Arthur.
She told Mabel over and over again
that she was the best girl in the world
because Uncle Art'ur said she was
and she told the professor that he was
handsome, because Mable had so deci-
ded.
| And there was much confusion in
two anxious minds.
In the course of time, However, the
disease passed its climax and youthful
nature triuwphed. The burning waves
of fever broke and rolled backward,
leaving the pale face paler than ever,
with its startling contrast of black
shing eyes and tangled raven hair.
After time little Mary was a con
valescent. Then the professor, bend
ing gently over her, said: .
Tomorrow my dear little girl shall
60 home again"
can tate Mabel, too," she said.
"Ha-well-Mabel will come to see
you"
"Won' do less Mabel does, too"
"Well-ah-Mabel's mamma wants
her to stay here"
''Den stay here too"
"And must Uncle Arthur 60 home
without his dear little girl ?"
''No. Uncle Ar'tur stay here with
Mary and Mabel"
| "Oh-ah-I'm afraid I can't dc
Mary looked first at Mabel and then
at the professor, her piercing eyes
showing all her wonder at the unrea
sonable obstacles in the way of he,
happiness -,
"Mary, DEAR" said Mabel, softly,
"you must 60 home with your uncle
and I'll come to see you every day."
| Wont do away from you. Wont
do away from Uncle Art'ur. Bofe
dot to stay wild Mary or she get sick
adam and die"
| And the black eyes became moist
while the lips quivered. The profes
sor Strengthened up with sudder
snap.
1T might be managed to her salts
faction, he said.
| "How?" asked Mabel, softly.
las my-wife."
| They were both bending over th'
child now, looking into her eyes.
"You come home with me-for goo(