The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-09-15

over persuaded the other to come on into the
city.
There can't be particle of trouble,
Cousin julie. " she said 1.-The idea is pre-
posterous. pve promised Cousin Randolph
that we'd come to town to-day, and Pm
going to keep my word. Anyhow. we're
quite as safe in the car, or in town with our
own people, as we would be stopping at some
little place along the read where we know
nobody and there is nobody to know"
The car stopped and the two ladies de-
scended from it. looking inquiringly around
for the young Confederate cavalier whose at
tendance they expected. He was not visible;
but, instead, Karl, who had brought his uni
form and accouterments to the utmost limit
OF neatness possible 10 field-wOrn blue cloth
and brass adornments stepped jauntily for
ward, and though his heart was beating
violently, he managed to speak calmly and
smilingly:
Miss Artemisia Simpkins, / believe ?"
A stiff curtsey and Yes SIR
% Your cousin, Randolph Anterior, whom
you expected to meet here, has been COM
PEELED to deny himself dot great pleasure
Circumstances over which he had no control
obliged him to leaf the city so hastily dot
he had not even time to write you note ex-
planning his absence and making his apollo
gies. Dot is left for me to do, and | offer
my unworthy services instead
The ladies looked at him in a blank way.
They did not yet understand, and the
younger said:
What were the circumstances that COM
PEELED Cousin Randolph to hurry away so ?n
His health, ma am,'' said Karl, gaining
more marble-like composure every minute.
- He fanpH dot n oh al;
farther South, must be made Immediately.
and so he vent away, / may say, hastily"
Il should think so,' murmured Miss
Artemisia somewhat sharply, "if he
couldn't even take time to write me little
note It's strange he never said anything to
me about his failing health But, then, he
was always quite reticent about his own
| pains and aches"
Poor boy; that is so like my husband, :"
said the elder of the two ladies.
No. his disease was different he didn't
have bad headaches" The elder lady could
not repress deep blush % 1t was vos more
iuttering OF de heart, and weakening in
de legs, " said Karl, so sympathetically that
Walter and Bronson, who were standing
near enough to oye,hear all, could hardly keen
their faces straight.
" Is the complaint of long standing?n
asked Miss Artemisia.
80, no; only since last Thursdav.n said
Karl. He vos in his usual health up to
that time. During Thursday he complained
OF seeing great deal of blue in de woods
about camp; it seemed to make him sick at
de stomach and start his heart to beating
violently. Den his knees began to shake
and his liver seemed out Of order, and by
midnight of Saturday he yos in such bad
way dot he vent aboard boat which started
up de river as fast as it could 90. Dere we're
many oders affected the same way yid him;
indeed, | might say de disease was epidemic"
You fortunately escaped?n said the fair
Artemisia inquiringly.
Yes by good luck; but Pm having some
troubles yid my heart now, and dey hal grown
much worse in de last few minutes
o, I'm so sorry. Maybe there's some
thing l could do for YOU" she said with
genuine sympathy in her tones % never
tried nursing, but Pye read good deal of it.
| suppose it's every lady's duty nown
Then another thought came into her head.