The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-08-22
twice this week. Is there anything els'
you want to ask me?''


you want to ask me?"
No, there was nothing else. Mr. Ken
rick felt it was almost sacrilege with
those pure eyes looking into his to
breathe the doubts which now seemed
to him SO unworthy.
1t was a month later, and Beatrix
Harcourt was walking swiftly along the
dusty road leading to Castlefelds, car
rying a small basket containing some
delicacy for the sick woman she was
going to see. The sound of wheels made
a deep, musical voice said pleasantly !:
"Miss Harcourt, are you again bound
on the same journey? Now do let me
have the pleasure of giving you a lift. ;"
Beatrix hesitated one moment; then
she answered frankly: "Thank you so
much. You know Jennie, that poor
crippled child I told you about. Well,
I have had note from her this morn
ing to say her mother is very ill, and
there is no one to do anything for her. -
Gerald Morton looked admiringly
down at the fair face beside him. 1t
was the young men of Hillchester who
had given Beatrice Harcourt the name
of "the fair philanthropist, and it
spoke we'll for the girl that even in the
fastest circle her name was never men,
toned but with respect.
When Beatrix reached the little cot
tage, which lay close to a wood five
miles from Hillchester, she found every
thing in q state of confusion. One
glance at the poor woman showed he1
to be in high state of fever and slight
ly delirious, while an ominous crimson
rash was beginning to make its appear
ance on her face and neck
"Why, Jennie, your mother has the
fever!' Beatrix exclaimed rapidly
Haven't you sent for doctor, child
And is there no neighbor who would
come and help to nurse her?"
II wrote to the doctor, miss, when
sent your note, but he has not beer
here yet, aud as to neighbors miss
there are none for mile or more
All the morning Beatrix waited, do
ing all she could for the poor sick WON
an, and the afternoon was we'll on it,
way when the welcome rap, which sure
ly told of the Doctors appearance
sounded at the door.
Beatrix literally few to open it ant
found herself face to face not with tn,
| doctor, but with the vicar.
For the last month, ever since tn,
| gossip about Gerald Morton-in fact
| matters had been rather strained be
tween the vicar and his fiancee, but al
was forgotten now as in the impuls
of the moment Beatrix exclaimed
"You must not come in here, John, O
touch me. Mrs. Carr has the fever !''
For moment look of keen anxiet,
darkened his grave blue eyes, and tn
! next Mr.. Kenrick had folded the sligh
form close in his arms as he murmuret
brokenly, "Trixie, my own brave dar
ling, would you have me greater COW
ard than yourself?"
| With his arms still about her sh
told him how Gerald Morton had driver
her to the cottage in the morning, add
ing, "It was we'll he did, for I shoul,
have been an hour later, and Jenni
and her mother were quite alone.''
''Trix, will you forgive me for let
ting that horrid scandal trouble m
even for one moment. Dear heart, fee
shall never forgive myself
eyes. will forgive you," Trix an
swered gayly, the last shadow gon
from her honest eyes, "only you mus
never do it again, as the children say.
A fortnight later all Hillchester wa
thrown into state of dire consternatio
by the news that Beatrix Harcourt ha
scarlet fever and was, moreover, S
dangerously ill that the local doctor al
most despaired of her life.
It happened during one of the wors
days of Beatrix's illness that Mrs
Morris and her friend, Mrs. Maynard
were walking by the drive gate leadin
to Beatrix's home. To their astonisL
ment they saw large crowd of peopl
waiting just outside the door-wome
with babies in their arms, girls wh
had stolen few minutes out of thei
dinner hour, even one or two tall youth
and laboring men.
In a moment the door opened, and
maidservant spoke few words to th
anxious watchers. Evidently it wa
good news, for with one accord the
slowly and silently turned to go away
and as they passed the two ladies on
woman exclaimed in broken voice
which showed tears were not far off:
"Ah, we'll, if we lose her, our bes
friend is gone, and that's certain. The1
amt many in this world like our Mis-
Beatrix. Bless her sweet faceP'
| Mrs. Maynard and Mrs Morris wall
ed on in silence. The lesson was lear1
ed, though it was bitter, for each fell
"What would these people have care
had been in Beatrix Harcourt's place?
| But Beatrix, dangerous as her illnes
was, did not die, and six months late
Hillchester was the scene of a create
rejoicing than had been known fo
many long year, while the wonderfr
arches with their various devices, til
glad faces of the people, the childre
with their flower laden baskets and til
church bells ringing out their swe'
messages far and wide all combined [
show the love and respect which the
vicar and his bride had SO deserved
gained in the hearts Of their people,
Madame.
Mortality In War.
The question of the possible mortal
ty among those engaged in milita1