The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-05-15

woman ana when she returned she bore
some choice berries piucked in Mrs.
Riker's garden by Mabel'sOwn fingers.
The last detail caused the professor
to refrain from eating the berries. He
put them away in a secret place, where
they were subsequently found a lot OF
hard, black pellets.
How long this communication Of
spirits might have gone on it was i'm
possible to say but it was interrupted
in way which brought grave anxiety
to The professors heart.
One evening Mary was much paler
than usual and she complained of pain
in her head.
"You've been playing too hard, - said
the professor, with his newly acquired
air of paternal wisdom.
SO he sent her to bed earIy-to her
own bed, in which she had finally con-
sented to sleep.
But in the silence of the night she /
come TO his side, crying and complain
ing of the pain. lie found her in /
feverish state.
The professor was a man of decision /
in most things. sIIe promptly dressed |
himself, aroused the old woman babe |
her sit by the child and went for the
doctor. That dignilied person on ar
riving looked wise and said:
''I am afraid she is in for the meas |
les-or the scarlet fever-Or else bill !
lious fever. 1t is really impossible to
tell at this stage"
He gave explicit directions as to |
treatment and promised 10 call again
in the forenoon. When he did 50 ne !
shook his head and said:
Professor this child needs woman's |
care"
T-I suppose you are right. But |
what shall do? She will not allow 1
my cook to come near her.
"Get professional nurse"
"There are only two in town--and- !
they are both young -and-weil, you
know-I-I live here alone"
"Weil, sir, you must manage ii some |
how"
The doctor went away, leaving the |
professor much disturbed. = few min
utcs later the old woman informed him /
that Miss Ril,cr was at the Kitchen 1
door inquiring about Mary. The pro-
ft.ssor felt that he ought to answer such
an inquiry in person.
al am much troubled, lie said, "for !
the doctor thinks Mary ought 70 have
womaG's care and she VIII not tolerate 1
the cook"
''Ycs, 50 the cook told me-" answer
ed Mabel. After minutes hesitation
she added: ~ think Mary would let I
me take care of her"
81 am sure she would" declared the /
professor, warmly. "That l., of course
if-if-it were possible"
az think It might be DONE said Ma
bel, softly.
"Do yoa: How p"
'I.et her come to our house,
"But would your mother be wiling (
"Oh, yes; she suggested It. Shes /
very fond Of Mary"
''Ah, yes it is extremely good YOU /
and your mother. I'll speak TO the /
doctor about it.
.'Oh, thank you," exclaimed Mabel. !
"How good-I mean you viii please let |
NE know what the doctor says"
And she departed in some haste and I!
in evident confusion.
~ for the professor he would have /
worshiped her more than ever hal that /
been possible.
The doctor came again and consent
ed 10 the removal. Indeed, he urged
that the child be taken to the Rikcr
house at once, for he himself was at u
loss 10 cope with the disease without .
womaR's help.
SO Mary was very carefully wrapped
in blankets and Uncle Arthur carried
her to the little bed which had bcen
prepared for her.
~ DON'T don't know how tOeX-
press my gratitude toyou, Miss Riker,"
he said, with feeling. THE child has
become very dear to me-"
Don't speak Of gratitude, profes-
sor," said Mabel, frankly, extending
her hand AZ love Mary"
The professor took the protIered
hand and they stood gazing silently N
one another till Mabel seemed sudden
ly to recover consciousness, drew her
hand away and went about her duties
as nurse and with bright eyes.
At night little Mary became delirouS.
Sometimes she called for Mabel and
sometimes for Uncl, Ar,'ur.
She told Mabel ever and over again
that She was the best girl in the world,
because Unclc's Art'ar said she was
and she told tie professor that he was
handsome, because Mabel had 50 de
cidcd.
And there was much confusion in
two anxious minds.
In the course Of time, however, the
disease passed its climax and youthful
nature triumphed. The burning waves
of fever broke and rolled backward,
leaving the pale face paler than ever,
with its startling contrast OF black,
shinging eyes-and tangled raven hair.
After time little Mary was con
valescent Then the professor bending
! gently over her said
Tomorrow my dear little girl shall
go home again"
"And tate Mable too she said.
"Ha, well, Mabel will come to see
YOU"
''Won't do less Mabel dose, too"
''Well ah, Mabers mamma wants her
to stay here"
''Dcn | stay here too
"And must Uncle Arthur go home
without his dear little girl?'
"No. Uncle Art'ur stay here with
Mary and Mabel"
"Oh-ah-Tm afraid / can't do that
Mary looked first at Mabel and then
at the professor, her piercing eyes
showing all her wonder at the unreas-
enable obstacles in the way of her hap
piness.
''Mary, dear" said Mabel, softly,
"you must 20 home with your uncle,