Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1898-01-07

she was llttle ntteu Tor any Rlnu OF ngnt.
Her situation was such as to appall the
most determined and stoical man. What
could a frail girl do?
Slowly and painfully with badly bruis-
ed ankle she took up her way on the
tracks. Where should she so? Home,
of course. Her father was of the lines.
He would admit his child, even if to the
dangers of infection and death. Death
from the plague at home with her loved
ones was preferable and not more certain
than out in that swamp. Home she would
go. Bravely-for the girl had her fathers
rugged, fOrccful nature-she started to
walk back to home and safety.
How that frightful journey was accom-
plished the half-delirious girl never knew.
Three days and nights she wandered,
driven away from every camp she APP
preached by the same iron rule. Food she
had none but wild berries and acacia
buds. But on she struggled under the
blistering heat or the cooler shades of
night until Mt last she saw the tall tower
of the city hall in the distance. Gratefully
she sank in the sand and thanked heaven
for her deliverance. Home was near and
a loving father and sweetheart-if, in
deed, he had not been stricken down to
his death-were there to welcome and
comfort her.
The thought of Georges peril nerved
her to greater exertion. She rose to her
feet and once more bent her weary way
toward home. As she reached the clump
of pines which marks the outer boundary
of the town a man suddenly stalked from
their shade and ordered her back.
Father" she cried, falling to her knees
and then stumbling on again. Don't
you know me, father. I'm Mamie. /
have come back to stay with you and
George. Take me home" and the wasted
arms were stretched imploringly toward
her parent. !,
Mamie" gasped Butler, hoarsely,
show did you come here? I thought you
were in Memphis by this time
Il was thrown from the train because
Il pair of brutes feared l had the fever.
| have wandered in the woods for three
days and am dying for lack of food. Take
me home"
Stand back, girl" was the stern reply.
'You know the law. My God, why did
you come here to tempt me. No, I can
not let you in. You know the law. Get
back. Go over to the camp yonder md
they will take you in"
The girl pleaded in vain. The inexora-
BILE law of Yellow Jack held her father
powerless. With a shrek of despair she
turned and ran away into the swamp to
die.
y
Kendrick fingered unconscious for four
or five days before his physique and fine
condition won the battle of life. Then he
slowly ~regained health under the careful
ministrations of DR.. Wright, a young
friend who took as much time as his man
fold duties would permit in winning
health again for the "Yank." Then with
strength restored George sought work
among the ailing. He feared no conta-
gion and was soon looked up to and loved
by the people of the stricken city. Death
carts were the only conveyances seen in
the deserted streets us the long, terrible
summer passed slowly away; corteges
with the bodies of victims in plain boxes
followed by the men who were to lay them
in the earth the only assemblies seen.
Hot, fetid air, never cooled by the breezes
of the gulf, added to the horrors of the
lazaretto.
One night as Kendrick, worn out with
his labors, sat in what had been his Office,
DIR. Wright entered, tossed his hat aside
and began smoking in silence. Kendrick
knew from his friends manner that some
thing of more than passing interest has
marked the day. He waited for a time
and then said: well, Doc?'
George" slowly replied the physician,
Il have a very peculiar case. 1t is a
young Il who came in when old DR..
Stefano reached here from New Orleans.
You remember my speaking of Sister
ISABEL? Well, it is she. You know how
she has shaved among the poor devils in
this horrible hole. You can never know
the devotion of this gentle maiden to her
self-sacrificial duties. Evidently a woman
OF culture and refinement, she has shaved
Tor the poor blacks as earnestly as for
those of higher caste. Now she is ill
sick unto death. / have tried to learn
who and what she is, but without success.
Tonight as she fell into delirium she
muttered the word George n couple of
tlmes. My God, man, what is the mat
ter with you? l have feared it, you
have the fever"
mo, doctor. No fever but that of ter
ror. Feel my pulse, take my temperature
and you will see the plague has exempted
me so far. But you say she muttered
my nameg"
Certainly, your name. But-God In
heaven, can it be possible? Quick, man,
come with me-"
Out into the night rushed the two men,
one torn by a thousand conflicting emo
tions. He knew the r~esolute temper of
his sweetheart and fearing she had seen
his DOWNFALL and had returned in spite Of
oil, he felt a fear Juggling at his heart
which stified him. Yet he ran blindly af-
ter the doctor until they reached n small
house where a dim light could be seen
near the open window. Here DIR. Wright