The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-09-16

"Then she is very d. rent from the
average old lady, = is usually y
slave. driver" srid ford II wonder
why she carries IL comps- On about
with her, IL che has 30 i;.sle need OF
society"
''Oh, am only part Of her state.
She is inordinately rich--and the sal
ary she gives me doesn't count.
Apropos of DIR. Parravicini. know he
is clever doctor, for he cures my hor.
rid mosquito bites"
"A little ammonia would do that. in
the early stage of the mischief. but
there are no mosquitoes to trouble you
now"
"Oh, yes, there are; had bite
just before we left Cap Ferrino."
She pushed up her loose lawn sleeve,
and exhibited q scar, which he scruti.
nized intently, with . surprised and
puzzled look.
This IL no mosquito bite" he said.
"Oh, yes, 1t is--unloss there are
snakes or adders st Cap Ferrino."
1T is not bite at all. You are tri.
fling with me. Miss Rolleston. you
have allowed that wretched Italian
quack to bleed you. They killed the
greatest man in modern Europe that
way, remember. How very foolish Of
you.'
II was never bled in my life, Mr..
Stafford"
Nonsense Let me look at your
other arm. Are there any more mos.
quito bites?'
Yes; DR.. Parravicini says that I
have a bad skin for healing, and that
the poison acts more virulently with
me than with most people,"
Stafford examined both her arms in
the broad sunlight, scars new and old.
"You have been very badly bitten,
Miss Rolleston," he said, ''and if ever l
find the mosquito I shall make him
smart. But now tell me, my dear
girl, on your word of honor, tell me as
you would tell friend who is sincerely
anxious tor your health and happiness
as you would tell your mother il she
were here to question you-have you no
| knowledge Of any cause for these scars
except mosquito btes--no suspicion,
event"
No, indeed! No, upon my honor ]
have never seen a mosquito biting my
arm. One never does see the horrid
little fends. But l have heard them
trumpeting under the curtains, and
know that have often had one of the
pestilent wretches buzzing about me in
the night"
Later III the day Bella and her friends
were sitting at tea in the garden, while
Lady Ducayne took her afternoon
drive with her doctor.
'How long do you mean to stop with
Lady Ducayne, Miss Rolloston?' Her
bert Stafford asked, after thoughtful
silence, breaking suddenly upon the
trivial talk of the two girls.
"As long as she will go on paying me
twenty five pounds quarter"
Even il you feel your health break
ing down in her serviceY'
1T Is not the service that has injured
my health. You can see that I have
really nothing to do-to read aloud for
an hour or so once or twice week; to
write letter once in while to Lon
don tradesman. shall never have
such an easy time with anybody else,
And nobody else would give me hun
dred a year"
Then you mean to go on till you
break down; to die at your post9"
Like the other two companions
No! II ever feel seriously ill--really
I'LL shall put myself in train and &C
back to Walworth without stopping"
what about the other two com.
panionsf"
They both died. 1t was very un
lucky for Lady Ducayne. That's why
she engaged me; she chose me because
was ruddy and robust. She must fee
rather disgusted at my having grown
white and weak. Blythe by, when
told her about the good your tonic hat
done me, she said she would like to se'
! you and have little talk with yo,
about her own case"
"And should like to see Lady Du
cayne. When did she say this1''
1.-THE day before yesterday"
"Will you ask her if she will see IN
this EVENING""
with pleasure wonder what yo,
will think Of her? She looks rathe
terrible to stranger; but DR.. Parravi
cini says she was once famous for he
,, beauty"
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