Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-08-17
found herself face to face not with the

found herself face to face not with the
doctor, but the vicar.
For the last month, ever since the
| gossip about Gerald Morton, in fact.
matters had been rather strained be-
| tween the vicar and his dancee. but
Ill was forgotten now. as, in the i'm.
pulse Of the moment, Beatrix exclaimed,
"You must not come in here. John, or
| touch me, either. Mrs Carr has the
fever"
For moment 4 look ofkeen anxiety
dsrkened his grave blue eyes, and the
next Mr.. Kenrick had folded the slight
form close his his srms.as he murmured
brokenly: Trizie, my own brave dar-
ling would you have inc 9 greater
coward than yourself' .,-,
With his arms still about her, she
told him how Gerald Morton had driv-
en- her to the cottage in the morning,
adding: 1T was well be did, for 1
should have been an hous later. and
Jennie and her mosher were quite
alone"
"Trix, will you forgive me for letting
that horrid scandal trouble me. even
for one momentP Dear heart, / feel I
shall never forgive myself"
Yes, I will forgive you" TriI an
swered, gsyly, the last shadow gone
from her honest blue eyes, "onIy you
must never do it again, as the children
say" ....,,
The wears low-bresthed answer
sounded like blessing, and then Beat
rix hurried him of to see what further
means they could devise Tor the poor
woman's comfort during the night.
A fortnight later all Hillchestsr was
thrown in to state of dire consterna-
ton by the news that Beatrix Hsrcours
had scarlet fever, and vas, moreovcr,so
dangerously i'll that the local doctor
almost despaired OF her life. Truly, .
univ ersal calamity might have bsfallen
the place, for Beatrix's illness and ito
course formed .he perpetual topic OF
conversation, both in the homes Of the
rich and poor. els, ...i..., ~
It happened during one OF the worst
days of Blatrix's illness that Mrs. Morris
and her friend, Mrs, Maynard, were
walking by the drive gate leading to
Beatrix's home. To their aatonishment
they saw large crowd of people walk
ing just outside the door-women
with babies in their arms, girls who
had stolen q few minutes out OF their
dinner hour, even one or two tall
yout BIS and laboring men.
In moment the door opened and
maid.servan: spoke few words to the
anxious watchers. Evidently it was
not good news, for with one accord
they slowly and silently turned TO 60
away, and as they passed the two
ladies one woman exclaimed in broken
voice which showed tears were NOT far
of "Ah, we'll, il we lose her our best
friend is gone. and that's certain.
There amt many in this world like our
Miss Beatrix. Bless her sweet fsceFU
Mrs. Maynard and Mrs. Morris
walked on in silence. The scene had
touched them deeply, and the eyes Of
the doctors wife were full Of tears,
while her companion had an unwonsed
and most unpleasant choking sensation
in her throat. Ths.lesuon was learned
though it was bitter, for each tslt
"whst would these good people have
cared had I been in Bsstiy Hsrcourts
placer go.
But Bsstrix, dangerous d her ".
ness was, did not die, and .ix months
later chichester was the Scene Of .
greater rejoicing than had been known
for many . long year, while the won.
derful arches with their various devices,
the glad faces Of the people the chill
drsn with fower.lsdsn baskets and the
church bells ringing out their sweet
messages far and wide, m combined
70 show the love and respect which
their vicar and his bride had % dsesrv'
edly gained in tho, hearts OF thsir
people. Ethel Beatrice Wadlow IN
Madame. &c.