The Florence tribune., 1897-07-03

the next day she went to inquire about him.
 Well, he's worse, said the hired man laconically. Mary took the news back to Don's mother, and was very si- lent
 Bout time to be concerned" old Mrs. Hayes thought, severely, but that was only for moment. s'Poor child" she said to herself, "she's worried about hinl" There, now, Mary, cheer up," she said aloud. T guess it ain't nothin' very bad"
 T don't know" Mary answered, q hope not. But I'm afraid it is.p And tlen, later in the evening, when they had been talking of something else, she said, suddenly: "He hasn't a soul to look after him, except that stupid Jacob"
 Mrs. Hayes looked at her inquiringly. "Ijust wish" said Mary, tremulously, ''that you and could"
 Why, bless your heart" cried the old woman, i've will I know what you're going to say-we1l go right up, there tomorrow. don't know why didn't think of it frst.n
 Good nursing is well enough in it's way, but when added to good nursing the invalid hears voice that he loves, talking outside his door, to his little, old, kind nurse, or is told that Mary made that gruel, or watches, dream fly, through feverish eyes, Mary mov- ing about his room, or even feels her touch upon his forehead-why, he can not help get well. At least that was what Dick Wheeler said, first to him self, and afterwards, shyly and awk- wardly, when he was better and was sitting up4 to Mary. But, poor fellow Mary's blank look almost landed him back in his bed again. He began to she had heen less kind he migist have had more hope And Don dead seven years!n he told himself, as be sat proppcd up with pillows in big, black wooden rocking chair that had roses painted on the head rest. and gay caa- ico sleeves tied over it's stiff arms. M It was soft spring afternoon; he was much better; Mrs. Hayes and Mary had gone home, and only came in for an hour or two each day to see that he was comfortable. It was Mrs. Hayes who had packed him snugly into. the big chair in the south window, and put footstool under his feet, and drawn little table with his medicine and a glass of water close to his side.
 '.Jacob1l help you back to bed, Dicky, as soon as you feel tired; now, mind, don't sit up a minute longer than you feel like itl And I'll come in tomorrow morning and bring some beef tea. Mary's great on making beef tea"
 When she went away Dick sat there in the sunshine, looking out of the win dow. He made up his mind that he must get over thinking about Mary; there was no use; it only worried her, "and it kills me-" he thought simply. He wondered if he could always feel so | dully indifferent to everything, just be- cause he couldn't have Mary? The sun was warm on the grassy slope in front of the house; a big vessel, coming slowly up the river with the tide, leaned, and her white topsails swelled and gleaned and happcd loose again; the trees at the foot of the garden showed faint mist of green; pigeon wheeled and 1 fluttercd down to the doorstep and sat preening itself and pufing out it's white ' breast The feeling of spring, and joy, and promise wEs in the air
 And l don't care a darnm Dick groaned to himself Well, I've got tc 1 get over this4 III go away; I'll get oui of it. Mary shant know why; Ill lei i her think I've dever thought of hel since the last time l spoke. Good Lore it was two or three years ago. ana I've not gained an inch with her An' then he opened his eyes, and saw Mar. coming up the path; she was on he
 way home from school, and stopped t'
 know how he was getting along. 1 ssLook at you, you careless fellow,
 she scolded, you've dropped tha
 shawl of your knees; what woul'
 Mother Hayes say?"
 .sOh, Mary" he said, and somehow
 the tears stood in his eyes, he was s
 weak, live got to go awayl'
 Marys instant look of concern, an
 light touch upon his wrist, shove
 what she thought of such crazy words and poor Dick gulped and tried to ge 1 back to his resolution not to tell hei
 "Idon't know why said that-l didn mean to- he told her.
 "You are tired" she said, soothing ly. you've been sitting up too long. "Nothing of the sort" Dick ar swered. grossly. T am only tired this businessl Good Lordl Mary-ther' can't help it; acu you take maeg didn , mean to ask again; was just saying
 wouldn't, when you came up the patl Mary, will you take mel If you won , I'm going off. I've stood this just long as I'm going to-"
 Poor Mary turned red and whit with pity. 'sOh, Dickl' she said. You know he's dead and gon , you're only making another man mi