Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-10-22
xxIy.
The Day

Through the cold. muddy. desolate
streets. in the sharp. pitiless rain. May
ran on her errand Of affection towards
the old prison.
Battling with the fierce gusts of
wind. and Knocked at by the distant
growlilg thuLder. she held steadfasfly
on her course swerving neither TO the
right nor to the left.
Drenched through and through by
h storm. she was unconscious OF all
except a blissful fact that she carried
about her person a document which
would give her father freedom-per.
haps life.
No matter ut what cos ii had been
purchased. She had it. She held IL
fast. and that was enough for her.
He father. delivered from durance
vile. she must again return 10 that
grim. deSolate house which she was
henceforth 10 call her home.
A still. quiet voice whispered ia her
ear: why 20 back
When the thought first occurred 70
her she started as il the Tempter him
self had stood at her elbow: bnt. for
all that. ut every step she took, the
same voice, she fancied. sounded in
her ears: "Nhy 20 back"
The massive prison doors were
reached at last. and as May rushed
beneath the shelter the warders
hocked around her. lost in admin
ton and amazemeni. Amusement at
her beauty-amazement ut her having
ventured through the raging stos-m
without other protection than her hat
and a little cloak which she had
wrapped around her shoulders afford
ed her.
What can I do for you. miss
asked a burly man. cycling her with
what he fondly imagined 10 be an en-
gaging expression.
"is the doctor here"
Maybe he Is. maybe he isn't. Look
here. young woman. this isn't an in
Urinary"
mo, no, I know too well what IL
u.s." she answered. with a shudder. "lf
the doctor IL here, i beseech You. let
me e him. 1t is a matter of life aud
DEATH
wei. well see about IL presently.
Come in and dry your clothes"
"No. no, | can do nothing until /
have seen him, Take me TO himr'
Come along. then. and we'll see
what we can do"
May thanked the man and kept close
behind him through long, yaulted
stone corridors.
Every now and then their progress
was barred by massive doors: but her
guide unlocked each one. taking care
TO fasten them again securely when
they had passed through.
After a while she stopped. at 4 sign
from her conductor.
The doctors inside here. You just
knock, and he'll let you In"
In obedience to these words. Nav
raped gently. and n voice bidding her
enter, she pushed the door. which gave
way before her, and entered a small
but cemfortably-furnished ROOM.
The doctor had made his rounds. and
had settled himself comfortably TO his
reading in q costume more easy than
elegant.
MY dear young LADY," said he,
starting to- his feet as o as he saw
the sex of his visitor. this is an unex-
pected pleasure. What can l do for
you?"
How is my father. sir? Oh, do not
deceive me-let me know the worstrr
Pardon me; really. / don't exactly
remember your fathers name"
Matthew Rivers, sir"
"Ah, Of course-now / recollect. But
how could you come here In this pelt-
ing rain? You are literally drenchedr"
do not mind me-" said May. rather
i~mpatiently; tell me OF my fathere.'
mot one word will ] say until you
have swallowed this" said the doctor,
producing a glass OF some steaming
mixture, which smelled and tasted like
grog. but which he dlgnified by the
namenDf universal tonic.
May hesitated.
ssD0 not delay" said the doctor.
Laughing: s'or / will not answer for the
consequences Rheumatic fever, er at
least a cold In the head. will be the
result Of your wefting. unless you take
my prescription. There, you feel bet
GER already, don't your he continued,
- May slipped fhe steaming beverage.
n REALLY did her good, aud 10 did the
1o<1oko CHEEKY. yvial manner, for she
{l59or11k: tIf my father were worse.
woaId bot tslk thus 70 me-
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