Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-12-02


No, there was nothing olee. Mr.. Ken
rick felt 1t was almost saoriloge with
those pure eyes looking into his TO
breathe tho doubts which now seemed
to him 3 o unworthy.
1t was a month later, and Beatrix
Harcourt WINS walking swiftly along the
dCsty road leading 70 C~astiefolds, car
ryiEg a small basket containing some
delicacy for the sick woman she was
going to SEQ. The sound Of wheels made
her tarn her head. and the next moment
q deep, musical voice said pleasantly:
Miss Harcourt, are you again bound
on the same journey? Now do let me
have the pleasure Of giving you q lift. "
Bcatrix hesitated one moment; then
she answered frankly; THANK you 80
much. You know Jennie, that poor
crippled child / told you about. Well,
/ hayo had a note from her this morn
ing TO say her mother is very i'll, and
there is no ne to do anything for her..
Gerald Morton looked admiringly
down at the fair face beside him. It
was the young men Of H~illchester who
had given Beatrice Utrcour. the name
Of tho fair philanthropist, and it
spoke well for tho girl that aver in the
fastest circle her namo was never men
toned but with respect.
When Bestrix reached the little cot
tage, which lay close to a wood five
miles from Winchester, she found every
thing in o state Of confusion. One
glance at the poor woman showed her
to be in a high state C fever aud slight
ly delirious, while an oiniDeus crimson
rash was b%eginping TO make its appear
ance on her face and neck.
why, Jennie, your mother has the
feverP' Beatrix exclaimed rapidly.
Haven't you sent for a doctor, child?
And is there no neighbor who would
come and help TO nurse herr"
81 wrote to the doctor, miss, when l
cent your note, hut he has not been
here yet, and as to p%oighbors, miss,
there are none for a mile or more"
All the morning Beatrix waited, do
ing all she could for the poor sick wona-
an, and the afternoon was well on its
way when the welcome rap, which sure
ly told Of the DOCTORS appearance,
sounded at tho door.
Beatrix literally few to open it and
found herself face to face not with the
doctor, but with the vicar.
For tho last month, ever since the
gossip about Gerald Morton-in fact,
matters had been rather strained be-
tween the vicar and bis fancee, but all
was forgotten now as in the impulse
OF the moment Beatrix exclaimed:
lyon must not ONE in here, John, or
touch me. Mrs, Carr has the feverl"
For q moment a look OF keen anxiety
darkened his grave blue eyes, and the
next NIr. Kenriok had folded the slight
form close in his arms as he murmured
brokenly, "Trixie, my own brave dar-
ling, would you have me a greater cow
ard than YOURSELF"
With his arms still about her she
told him how Gerald Morton had driven
her to the cottage in the morning, add
ing, 1T was well he did, for l should
have been IN hour later, and Jennie
and her mother were quite alone"
Erik, will ycu forgive ne for let
ting that horrid scandal trouble me
even for enc moment. Dear heart, l feel
! shall never forgive myself"
Eyes. l will forgive you," Trix an
swered gayly, the last shadow gone
from her honest eyes, "only you must
never do it again, as the children cay"
A fortnight later all chichester was
thrown intoa state of dire ccnsternation
by the news that Beatrix Harcourt had
scarlet fever and was, moreover, so
dangerously i'll that the local doctor al
most despaired Of her life.
1t happened during one Of the worst
days Of Beatrix's illness that Mrs.
Morris and her friend, Mrs. Maynard,
were walking by the drive gate leading
to Beatriz's home. To their astonish-
ment they saw q large crowd Of people
waiting just outside tho door-women
with babies in their arms, girls who
had stolen a few minutes out of their
dinner hour. even one OF two tall youths
and laboring men.
In a the door opened, and a
maidservant spoke a few words to the
anxious watchers. Evidently it was
good news, for with one accord they
slowly and silently turned to go away,
and as they passed the two ladies one
woman exclaimed in a broken voice,
which showed tears were not far off:
"Ah, we'll, If we lose her, our best
friend is gene, and that certain. There
amt many in this world like our Miss
Beatrix. Bless her sweet facet"
Mrs. Maynard and Mrs Morris walk
cd ON in silence. The lesson was learn
ed, though it was bitter, for each felt,
What would these people have cared
had / been in Beatrix Haroourt' IS placer"
But Beatrix, dangerous as her illness
was, did not die, and six months later
Hillchester was the scene of a greater
rejoicing than had been known for
many a long year, while the wonderful
arches with their various devices, the
glad faces of the people, the children
with their flower laden baskets and the
church bells ringing out their sweet
messages far and wide all combined to
show the love and respect which their
vicar and his bride had so deservedly
gained in the hearts of their people
Madame.
Mortality In War.
The question Of the possible mortali-
ty among those engaged in military
/ oparafiona il ona IF Oraak intaraat inst