Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-03-21

the next day she carried with her q
very pretty box OF hon-bons for that
young woman and when she returned
she bore some choice berries plucked
in Mrs. Riker's garden by Mabels
own fingers.
The last detail caused the professor
to refrain from eating the berries.
He put them away in secret place,
where they were subsequently found,
q lot OF hard, black pellets.
How long this communication OF
spirits might have gone on 1t is i'm
possible to say, but 1t was interrupt
ed in q 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 early-to her
own bed. in which she had finally
consented to sleep.
But in the silence of the night she
came to his side. crying and COM
planning OF the pain. He found her
in feverish state.
The professor was man OF decision
in most things. He promptly dressed
himself. aroused the old woman, babe
her sit by the child and went for the
doctor. That dignified person on ar
irving looked wise and said:
II am afraid she is in for the
measles-or the scarlet fever-or else
bilious fever. 1t is really impos-
sible to tell at this stage"
He gave explicit directions as 20
treatment and promised to call again
in the forenoon. When he did so he
shook his head and said:
Professor, this child needs a
woman's care"
IL suppose you are right. But
what shall / do? 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 it
somehow"
The doctor went away, leaving the
professor much disturbed. A few
minutes later the old woman in
formed 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.
II am much troubled" he said,
"for the doctor thinks Mary ought
to have q woman's care and she will
not tolerate the cook"
Eyes, so the cook told me-" an
swered Mabel. After a minute S
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 irresponsible"
Il think it might be done,' said
Mabel, softly.
do you? How"
'Let her come to our house."
But would your mother be will
ing?
"Oh, yes; she suggested it. She's
very fond of Mary"
"Ah, yes; it is extremely good Of
you-and your mother. I'll speak
to the doctor about it,
ooh, thank you" exclaimed Mabel.
How good mean-you-well-
please let me know what the doctor
says"
And she departed in some haste
and in evident confusion.
As for the professor he would have
worshiped her more than ever had
that been possible.
The doctor came again and con-
sented to the removal. Indeed, he
urged that the child be taken
to the Riker house at once, for he
himself was at loss to cope with
the disease without woman's help.
So Mary was very carefully wrapped
in blankets and Uncle Arthur carried
her to the little bed which had been
prepared for her.
II DON'T 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 Z"
Don't speak of gratitude. pro-
fessor," said Mabel, frankly, extend
ing her hand; Il love Mary"
The professor took the proffered
hand and they stood gazing silently
at one another till Mabel seemed
suddenly to recover consciousness,
drew her hand away and went about
her duties as nurse with bright eyes.
At night little Mary became deliri-
Gus. Sometimes she called for Ma
bel and sometimes for Uncle Art'ur.
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 Mabel had
SO decided.
And there was much confusion in
two anxious minds.
In the course OF time, however, the
disease passed it's climax and youth
full nature triumphed. The burning
waves of fever broke and rolled back
ward, leaving the pale face paler
than ever, with it's startling contrast
of black, shining 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 60 home again."
AN tate Mabel, too" she said.