Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-04-14
CHAPTER xXXIII.

The door was opened by little bit
of a dried-up and withered old woman,
with very dark skin and very black
hair and eyes.
She was Miss Penelope Pinchett, the
housckceper and nurse of the old bach
clor.
She came out silently, closing the
door after her. and putting her hand
kerchief to her eyes.
What is this that Bobb!n tells me,
Miss Penelope? Is the major really
ill.," inquired the captain.
"Oh, is 1t you. Captain Fuljoy? I
thought it was the doctor, first" said
the little old lady, taking her handker-
chief from her face and looking with
red eyes up to the visitor.
"You see that it is 1. hope the ma
ior is not seriously ill?'
"Oh, captain. am so glad you have
come. l would have sent for you, only
thought you We're not able to leave
home. hope you are better, SIR
II am better; but the major? hope
he is not seriously il%'
"Oh. sir, he is saying there is not Il
hope in the world" said Miss Pene-
lope, taking the old mans arm and
leading him away to the window ut
the front OF the passage, where they
sat down upon two chairs.
What is the matter with him?
When did he return from Creekhead?
Has he over-eXerted himself by the
journey?' inquired the captain, hurry
Ing question upon question. after the
manner of all excited people.
Miss Penelope replied to all in few
words:
''He never went to Creekhead at all.
tic came from your house yesterday
morning. and complained Of feeling a
little unwelI; but Went on with his
preparations for the ride, because his
business at the Head was very impor-
tant. But his .indiSposition increased
raster than his preparations went on;
and so. before he could get ready to go
he found himself compelled to give up
his journey. He retired to bed early;
became so extremely ill in the night
that we had to send for Il doctor. He
left the patient at noon. but promised
to be back again this evening. L
thought that you We're he.''
What is the nature of the malady%'
inquired the captain.
"Cholera,' Sobbed the housekceper.
There. ] E:;aw it. He always would
eat soft cra!,;,, and he had just as we'll
cat fried ,Niuers! and they are sea-
spiders. and nothing else. Let any one
look through Il microscope ut spider,
and see if they could tell it from Il
crab! or through an inverted telescope
at Il crab, and see if they could tell it
from Il spider. l would as soon eat IL
baked talantuta! But hope it is not
so serious with him as you may think,
Miss Penelope. Can see him?'
"ion can see him, sir: it will do him
no harm to see you; he is past being
hurt: he is sinking fast" said the
houseneeper, leading the way to the
chamber door. opening it and admit
ting the visitor
The room was in Semi-darknesS. the
sun having some time set, and the
lamps being not yet lighted.
The poor little major lay extended
upon his bed in the collapsed stage OF
his mortal malady-his frame shrunk-
en- his face blue and his breath short.
AT the side of tie bed knelt poor
Etty. her black hair in wild disorder,
her face buried i'll tile quilt, sitting her
sobs as best she could.
II am very sorry to see YOU i'm this
state. old friend,' said the captain, APP
preaching the bedside.
ITO D.. COntfnued.)