Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-03-05
THE WIDOW MARIN.
BY the Author of "Natalie's Ordeal,
"Euphie Lyn," "A Vain Sacri-
nee" Etc

AoSp4laI, sue Sd4u, W MS SItdl SUI
prise.
Then | think Providence has been
good TO me. have been writing
everywhere for the last three days
trying to get ".rse TO go TO Birka',
but can't get / wing soul to come,
Win YOU GO
TO Birka! cried Mrs. Marin,
aghast. who is i'll there?'
The laird himself He has been in
town doing what he could to help these
poor souls ever since it broke out.
Now he is down himself. 1t is only
slight attack, but want OF care and
nursing may aggravate the case. 1t
is terrible 10 be UP there alone"
alone! Where is his wife and the
servants?"
Fled every one as soon as they
heard the word cholera. Can't blame
them, you know. He saw them all
safely off and came back to Birka', he
and the butler who died yesterday"
And he is ill-alone," she mused,
in an absent sort Of way that reused
the Doctors Impotence. He would
have voted her a sentimental idiot but
for the experience he had OF her during
the last lew Gays.
"Ai~ne, all but the gardeners folk
down at the lodge, and he has forbid
den them to come nigh the house since
the butler was seized.
They were standing before the door
of the house they had both come out
of, knowing the inmate was now be-
You'd all human help; the doctor had
the reins in his hand as he spoke.
Mrs Marin held her reticule with medi-
cines in it. She passed her hand over
her eyes with gesture Of WEAKNESS
anu men without word stepped into
tie sig.
believe me, Mrs. Marin, the laird
will not let your kindness go unre-
warded,' the doctor said breaking the
silence as they entered the avenue.
Mrs. Marin smiled wan, faint smile.
If you don't mind, doctor, l would
much rather SO in alone.
Alone? Why?' cried the astonished
doctor, facing round upon her.
Oh simply because | wish to. |
can tell Mr.. Marin that | am a nurse
sent by you-or have YOU memoran-
dunn book? You could write me a note
which will sufficiently introduce me-
NONSENSE; | think when you have
been good enough TO come it is as lit
tie as | can do to take you W"
Mrs. Nairn did not argue the matter
any further. They reached the door
OF the big Aouse and the doctor drew
up close.
Now, then" said he, tossing aside
the wraps and, dismounting himself,
he assisted her out OF the gig.
TO his establishment, she turned to
him and in a firm voice said: Now,
doctor, | go up alone, or not at all
IL don't quite understand he be-
gan, with something like troWn
gathering ON his bland face, but she
interrupted hum.
You surely cannot distrust me. |
am a certiticated nurse like to in
troduce myself to my patients; l pre-
fer to do SO"
The doctor looked at her critically
and decided that his patient would be
safe in her hands; decided that he had
better humor the whim of this woman,
the only one he had found brave
enough to voluntarily face the plague.
You won't be afraid? You will
find your way" he said, hesitating.
Il am not afraid and can find my
way. You will be up in the afternoon,
OF course
of coul Sc yes OF course. AS soon
as | am through Gown below he said,
and jumping into his gig he drove
away, conscious OF This woman having
a very singular and pronounced in
diyiduality.
Mrs. Marin entered the house and
shut the door softly behind her, but
she was startled by the loud and eX-
cited barking OF small terrier at the
head of the broad staircase. The
sound echoed strangely in the empty
house, for the carpets were taken up
everywhere, the furniture shrouded in
linen covers; the picture frames were
yelled in gauze.
AS she assembled the naked stone
steps her shoes clanked slightly and
the dog, Still showing his teeth and
barking. rotrcated back into the long
uncarpeted corridor until he stood At
a door, where he continued his protest.
She spoke to him in gentle, coaxing
tone and an occasional wag OF his tail
indicated that he was becoming more
reconciled to her intrusion. lie began
to sniff and walk round about her in
quiringly, and satisfied at length, he
set his back up against the door and
begged with imploring eyes and hang
ing paws
You poor little fellow" she muir
INJURED, and STOPPED to pat the shaggy
head when the door opened from
within and the laird, attired In
heavy dressing gown and plald
wrapped about him, stood staring at
her in speechless alarm. His face was
white, drawn and pinched, his lips
were thin and blue, his eyes were
sunk in hollow purple rings, he was