Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-10-26

morning he thought he had to deal
with circus lunatic. But George
gasped out his errand in half-dozen
words, and the doctor ran for his horse
and chaise, which fortunately were
standing at the side porch.
AS he turned to speak to George he
caught sight of his hands.
Heavens, mani" he cried "loOk
at your fingers p
Hurry /" yelled George. But the
doctor reached under the seat of the
chaise and drew out bottle.
That's the stuff for burns" he cried
as he tossed it to George; rub it on
your hands.
The neyt moment George was out
in the road, bottle in hand, running at
top speed again, the doctor lashing
the old mare after him.
1t didn't seem as if Old George had
been gone any time at all when we
saw him flying back. He whirled in
to the lane running like greyhound.
AS he came up he motioned back
ward, and we saw the doctors mare
coming over the hilltop. There was
something shining in Georges hand.
For burns !" he gasped, and pitched
headlong on his face.
Well, when the doctor got there he
had two patients, for Old George had
completely collapsed, and when his
horribly blistered hands were tied up,
we had to half carry him to the house.
But next morning, when he learned
that Bella's burns were not serious,
that her face was untouched, and that
she would be out in a few days
thanks to the circus lunatic, con-
tinued the doctor-OId George, barr
ing his bandaged hands, was all right
again.
Well, the doctor kept Bella pretty
quiet all the morning, but in the after
noon he let US go into the room and
see her for a moment So we went in
very quietly, and said a word or two,
and Bella smiled and softly thanked
us for our good wishes, and we came
out again All except Old George,
who wouldn't 90 in with US, despite
our urgings. No. He shook his head
and hung back, and looked at his
bandaged hands, and said it would be
a shame to take the smell of liniment
into a sick room. Well, told him
how Bella received US, propped up
against big pillows, with her beautiful
hair spread out around her, and |
added that she never looked more
lovely. l noticed that Old Georges
eyes glistened, and that he suddenly
breathed hard, but | had no idea what
it meant.
Well, when we came out of Bella's
room BERTHE had fingered behind.
Both the auntie and the nurse were
busy elsewhere for the moment, and
Bella called to him. He asked if she
wanted anything-he told us this af-
terwards-and she answered, Yes,
dear" Bertie says it took him by
surprise. She hadn t called him"dear'
for years. "I8 it drink ?" he asked.
She shook her head. Did she want to
see the flowers ? No, she didn't want
to see the flowers. What then? "You
know what l want, BERTHE, " she whis-
pered. Il want to see him-alone."
Bertie wasn't the brightest youth in
the Varsity, but he grasped what she
meant at once. He just turned and
came out, and called Old George.
MY boy" he said, SISTER wants to
zee you" George trembled and be-
gan to balk. "Say," be murmured,
Il can't go in there with these evil
smelling boxing gloves" and he held
up his damaged fists. Then BERTHE
stopped him. as that the way to
treat a lady's request p he asked, half
savsgely. So Old George let his head
drop at that and went back with Ber-
tie. as this it ?" inquired that face
tious youth, but he told Us that he
was sure Bella didn't hear him. "For,
by Jove," he vehemently added. "lu
be hanged if she didn't suddenly lean
forward and kiss his bandaged hands
and burst out a-crying
Half an hour later Old George came
out, his head up and his face shining.
He walked straight up to Bertie and
led him aside, and held him in close con-