The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-03

the sky full of lurid clouds, the air
charged with electricity, and the big
drops beginning to patter on the
maple leaves, when there sounded a
knock at Miss Lydia's door-a most
mysterious tap, as she afterward de-
clared.
"Who's there7" said Miss Lydia,
opening it just sufficient to obtain a
glimpse of tall, pale man, with a
pocket handkerchief folded turban-
wise around his head.
Excuse me-" said this apparition,
.'but l believe have lost my way.
Might | ask shelter from the shower?
| am the young man from the hospi-
tall"
Certainly not" said Miss Lydia,
closing the door abruptly in his face,
with little shrek. "Good gracious!
have stood face to face with the
smallpox case9"
And then she rang for the servant
I ana the camphor bottle, and went in
to Mysteries,
Mrs. Printemps lived in the next
house-a picturesque cottage, over
hung with Virginia creepers, with
little plaster cast of Cupid in the
garden, and a great many bluebells
and carnations-a Young widow who
read all the newest books, and some
times wrote gushing poems. Mrs.
Printemps imagined herself like the
gifted and unfortunate Mary Queen
of Scots, and dressed up to the part,
as far as nineteenth century preju-
dices allowed her; and she was seated
by the easement, trying to lind a
rhyme to suit most unaccommodat-
ing line of poetry, when the tall, pale
stranger appeared under her window,
''for all the world" as Mrs. Printemps
subsequently expressed it, "like
troubadour or David Rizzio himself"
Excuse me, madam" he began,
''but 1 am from the hospital, and"
"My goodness mel" circulated
Mrs. Printemps, jumping to her feet
chow dare you come here and tell me
that to my facet Why don't they is
olate you?"
"Madam-" said the surprised
stranger.
"Go away." said Mrs. Printemps,
banging down her window and bolt
ing it noisily. "Betsey'-to her girl
run across the meadow to Mrs.
Underlay's, and tell her that the
smallpox case is rampaging all over
the country, trying to get people to
let him in, and she isn't to open the
door on any account. And stop at
DIR. Duer's and ask him what sort of
sanitary regulation he call this kind
of thing?"
81 am afraid to meet him, memp
said Betsey, getting behind the side
board, "and l amt been yaccinated
for seven years, and"
"Nonsense!" said Mrs. Printemps.
eff you go across the pasture field,
you'll get there fully five minutes
before he does. Make haste, now"
Kate Duer was standing in her
doorway watching the storm roll
grandly over the mountain tops, when
weary and bewildered traveller en-
tered the gate and came hesitatingly
in.
81 beg your pardon" said he,
meekly, "but I think there must be
something singular in my appear
ance. People seem to shut their
doors against me, and shun me as if
I had the pestilence. And l cannot
find the residence of Mr.. Dibble, the
clergyman. Would it be asking too
much if were to request permission
to rest in your porch until the storm
is Overt / came from the hospital,
and"
"Oh, l understand" said Kate,
quickly, "you are the smallpox patti
emit; but | have been vaccinated, and
am not afraid of the disease. There
is very comfortable chamber in the
second story of the barn, and you
shall be carefully nursed and taken
care of there if"
But you are mistaken" cried the
young man; IL am not"
"Hushl" said Kate, gently. "Do
not be afraid to confide in me. | am
DIR. Duer's sister, and know the whole
story. Sit here and rest little, and
/ will bring you some bread and milk
until my brother comes"
II am thousand times obliged to
YOU" said the stranger. "and the
bread and milk will taste delicious
after my long walk. But l do not
know what leads you to think that l
am a victim of varioloid. l have lost
my hat in the wind, to be sure, and