The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-01-16

ENC DOTo bOfnc CnOlCS DCTTlcS pluCkeu III
Mrs. Rikor's garden by Mabol's own fin
gers. The last detail caused the professor
to refrain from eating the berries. He put
them away in n secret place, where they
were subsequently found, lot of hard
black pellets. How long this communica-
ton of spirits might have gone on it is
impossible to say, but 1t was interrupted
in n way which brought grave anxiety to
the professors heart. One evening Mary
was much paler than usual, and she com
planned of pain in her head.
you've been playing too hare" said
the professor, with his newly acquired air
of patcrnal 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 complaining
of the pain. He found her in feverish
state. The professor was a man of decision
in most things. He promptly dressed him
self, aroused the old woman, babe her sit
by the child and went for the doctor. That
| digniflcd person, on arriving looked wise
and said:
81 am afraid she is in for the measles
or the scaricr fever or else bilious fever
1t is really impossible to tell at this stage. "
He gave Splicit directions as to treat
ment and promised to call again in the
| forenoon. Wien he did so, he shook his
| head and 81 d:
prolcsso9, this child needs woman's
care"
IL suppose you are right, but what
shall l dor she will not allow my cook to
come near Ter"
Cot a OCCASIONAL nurse"
There j,c only two in town, and-they
are bo,h .dng-und-well, you know
1.-Two Lore alone"
Well, ar you must manage it some
how"
The doctor went away, leaving the pro
fcsscr much disturbed. A few minutes
later the old woman informed him that
Miss Rikcr was at the kitchen door in
! curing about Mary. The professor felt
that he ought to answer such an inquiry
| in person.
Il am much troubled, - he said, for
the doctor thinks Mary ought to have
woman's care, and she will not tolerate
| the cook.
Yes SO the cook told me- =" answered
Mabel. After minutes hesitation she
added, Il think Mary would let me take
care of her.
Il am sure she would" declared the
| professor warmly That u.s. of course, if
fit were-possible
Il think it might be DONE" said Mabel
softly.
do your Howl"
Let her come to our house."
But would your mother be willing?"
"Oh, yes; she suggested it'll She's very
fond Of Mary"
''Ah yes. 1t is extremely good of you
and your mother. Ill speak to the doctor
about it. ="
"Oh, thank youl" exclaimed Mabel.
How good-l ean-you-well-plea
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 consented to the removal.
Indeed he urged that the child be taken to
the Rikcr house at once, for he himself
was at a loss to cope with the disease
without woman's help 80 Mary was
very carefully wrapped in blankets, and
"Uncle Arthur carried her to the little
bed which had been prepared for her.
Il don't-I don't know how to express
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.
Il love Mary"
The professor took the proffered hand,
and they stood gazing silently at one an
other till Mabel seemed suddenly to re-
cover consciousness, drew her hand away
and went about her duties as nurse with
bright eyes. At night little Mary became
delirious. Sometimes she called for Mabel
and sometimes for Uncle Art ur." She
told Mabel over and over again that size
was the best girl in the world, because
Uncle Art ur" said she was, and she told
the professor that he was handsome, be-
cause Mabel had so decided And Thea
was much confusion in two anxious
minds. In the course of time, however,
the disease passed its climax, and youth
full nature tIiumphed The burning waves
of fever broke and rolled backward, leav-
ing the pale face paler than ever with its
startling contrast of black, shining eyes
and tangled, raven hair. After time
little Mary was convalescent. Then the
professor, bending gently over her, said:
Tomorrow my dear little girl shall 60
home again.
AN tate Mabel, too, - she said.
Ah-well-Mabel will come to 500
youl'
"Won' do less Mabel does too"
"Well--ah--Mabel's mamma wants hen
to stay here.
Den l stay here too"
And must Uncle Arthur go home
without his dear little girly"
No; Uncle Art'ur stay here wild Mary
an Mabel"
"Oh-ah-I'm afraid can t do that"
Mary looked first at Mabel and then at
the professor, her piercing eyes showing
all her wonder ut the unreasonable obsta-
cles in the way of her happiness.
Mary, dear d." said Mabel softly, you
must go home with your uncle, and I'll
come and see you every day"
won do away from you. Won do
away from Uncle Art'ur. Bofe dot to stay
wild Mary, or she Diet sick adam an die "
And the black eyes became moist, while
the lips quivered. The professor straight
ened up with sudden snap.
1T might be managed TO her satisfac-
lion, }" he said.
How" asked Mabel softly.
You come home with me-for good
rs my-wife."
They were both bending over the child
now, looking into her eyes. AS the professor
ceased speaking Mabel's head bent lower
till her lips touched Mary's cheek, The