The Delta independent., 1898-06-24

the messenger without delay. True to
her word, not half an hour later Miss
Baird issued from the eastern sats and
started swiftly on her thre6 mile walk
to town. Tho corporal nw her 60. SO
did the hospital steward and the man q
all work. sweeping out the store, and 30
did the lonc sentry. pacing his pest
along the row Of storebouses. and such
q thing had never before been heard Of
at Russell. Maloney. it seems. had rid
den ont ON . borrowed horse and had
hastened back with his answer the mo-
ment the bewildered noncommissioned
officer let him go. What no one Of these
men could understand was how it hap
pened that one 20 fair and delicate as
Miss Baird should have to take that
lonely walk instead Of being sent in by
some one Of the several vehicles owned
among the officers families. What they
did not dream was that of all the wom-
en- in the crowded garrison not one OF
their number at that moment felt 30
friendless, 20 utterly alone in the world.
az Nathalie Baird.
At O'Clock Mrs. Stnnnard had re-
ceived brief line by the hands of Mrs.
Barry's maid. 1t merely said, Come
to me for moment as socn Ms you can"
and Mrs. Stannard lost no time.
She found her invalid friend and
neighbor pallid, distressed and alone.
Her eyes must have asked for Nathalie.
for Mrs. Barry, without, q word. handed
her . little note. and. opening. Mrs.
Stannard read:
lam called away by . summons that cannot
be ignored. BE is desperately i'll. perhaps dy-
ing. and hnS cent for mo. After this you know
why ought never to return to your roof
The shame Of It all overpowers me, and yet
cannot do less for him than am doing, and
cannot, must not. tell you why. Tonisht-to
morrow-you shall hear from me. and then lot
me go home and let me bs forgotten. Your
hesrtbroken NATHALIE
"What can We do?" was Mira Stan
nard's exclamation after the momentary
stupefaction seemed to have passed.
MAY not get the doctor and drive
after her with him?"
Gould you? Will your asked Mrs.
Barry, almost weeping. "Ah, knew
you wonld Send first for him. and then
I'll tell you all know"
But - luck would have IL tho little
doctor had his bands full this fateful
morning. The only practitioner left at
the post, It was but natural that half
the laundresses' children should BE-
down with various infantile malndies
and that officers row should find itself
in urgent need Of his services Mean
time there had come many caller to
the Barrys' door-women like Mrs. Ray
and Mrs. Freeman. full OF sympathy
and sorrow; others. like Mrs. Turner
and Mrs. Raymond, inspired by rage
Of curiosity veiled beneath the oonyen.
tionalities Of kind inquiries. Mrs.
Barry could see no one at first, but
yielded 70 MrA Freeman's importuni-
ties. and she. too. with Mrs Ray. was
tsken into confidence. II was nearly
half past 10 when at last the doctor
drove up with the post surgeons team
and double seated carriage. and Just ~
MrA 6tannard was being handed in and
numbsss Il interested spectators wsrs
Locking O up and down the row there
enntssed into garrison on . scrub Of .
pony . younssser who used 10 earn .
pescasious livelihood In those days car.
Sying traveller hand luggage. running
e9sands and doing odd jobs around the
few hotels and many barrooms. and he
had note for Mrs. Barry addressed in
Nathalie's small and tIemulous hand.
They took II In 70 her at once. and she
opened IL
Il was . brief. piteous, yet almost i'm
peSasive demand for t25 to be sent to
her BY the bearer.
ITO be Continued