The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-30


in an Eastern town may have come to
as dead pause, followed by as palsied
a run, when their zeal for research has
taken them unwittingly into the heart
of leper quarter. Akin TO such mani
festation of nerve-panic is the muscu-
lar twitch of a sleepwalker awakened
in unfamiliar places.
But il was acquaintance with the
street and not strangeness of her
Surroundings that had startled the wo-
man, or Selward was mistaken. He
serutinized her as the little distance
lessened between her and himself.
Then, for the first time in retrospect,
forsooth) and with feeling of keenest
surprise, 50 improbable did the thing
seem, he became aware that her face
was very pretty.
AS this astonishing truth revealed
itself to him he came TO a standstill
in the passage (his landlady, in vague
recollection of fiowery style in the
wording of her lease, called it the
"hentranee alp and followed with
his eve the yeining of the hi1eous var
nished paper that represented marble
with such pathetic artlessness- He
saw not it, however, but the strange
woman who was hurrying down the
street. The fact that she was pretty
made the deformity or injury jest o.
the gods that might call for mirth, and
was sorry enough for tears
He was shivering again. Cold watel
was running down his back. He hop.
ed he was not going to be i'll. In an
hour he knew that he was, and when
he had tried unavailingly TO eat some
dinner, he gave in and went to bed.
Thither at about o'clock his land
lady, motherly person, who, as she
often told him proudly, was experience
ed in the sick room having buried
four besides the two she had "rared"
brought him, at her own prescription,
a glass of whisky and water, hot and
strong.
you've got chill, Mr.. Selward, and
well know them. You've not looked
yourself this week, as, indeed, it was
only this afternoon passed the re-
mark. Drink this down like a gentle
man, and perhaps we shall have you
well am 'earty be mornin'."
Selward, whose teeth were chatter
ing. did as he was hidden. Mrs. Holliek
withdrew, after many last words and a
promise that she would look in first
thing" which she might do, she said,
with perfect propriety, "being mar
ried lady-let alone a mother" and
then began the wretched night. He
tossed and turned in fever. The strang-
er was forgotten. That his temples
throbbed, aud that he could not rest
were matters of more insistent gravity
than that woman had acted strange
Iy. and she has a misshaped body and
a pretty face. AT dawn he fell asleep.
When he awoke Mrs. HOllick was
entering the room on creaking tiptoe.
Selward Was weary and unrefreshed.
HH'Di, we've got to take care Of you,
sir. that's clear. Ead aches l dare
say, If 1 might feel the pulse. It's
quick, Mr.. Selward, very quick. You'll
keep your bed, sir, as needn't tell
YOU, and ifthe orfice wants a telegram
the girl shall take it,"
The message was dictated and dis
patched.
"You don't feel like eatin' much j,
sir. 1 dare say,p said Mrs Hollick after
a temporary absence from the room.
"Pve seen a deal of sickness, and
know. But we're not going to ave
you let your strength run down. IL is
but dry toast an spot OF Tea You'll
be better when you've broken fast,
sir"
And so John Seluard felt. But
towards evening his restlessness re.
turned. Mrs. Hollick broaehed the sub
iect of doctor. Selward declared that
his indisposition was nothing. and that
a day or two would see him well. Mrs.
| HolIick visited his room in the night,
aud was not reassured by his condi-
ton. In the morning she sent for
doctor (s'unbeknown," as she explain
e .. .f.af~