Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-01-18
hands, eight of whom had themselves
heen victims of tho nestilenca

behind the hill, and it was time for the
evening meal. But, tired as we all were,
it was. useless to think of stopping, so
after we had broken our fast the work
of hut building and vaccination proceed
ed again by torch and lamp light until
long after midnight. By the time my
last patient was dismissed I was utterly
worn out. But this was not the case
with Allie, who throughout the day and
up to the very last moment at night
had never abated one jot of her energy.
Encouraging the women, cheering the
men, weighing out stores and measur-
ing cloth, she had been occupied with
out ceasing. Her enthusiasm was like a
stimulant, and it had the effect Of one
upon all concerned.
When my arms ached' and my brain
seemed tagged out beyond all reoouping
with plotting, planning and giving ad-
vice, it was like breath Of new life to
see her moving about among her peo-
pie, taking no thought of herself or Of
the danger she was running, thinking
only of the terror stricken wretches
who turned to her in their hour Of
trouble for sympathy and help. And
certainly as she passed about among
them, Beelzebub, the bulldog, SLOUGH
ing along at her heels, it was wonderful
to see how their faces would brighten
and the light of fear for the moment die
out of their eyes. Nothing in my science
had the power to do as much for them.
AS | put down my implements and
received Christianson's report that the
fourth hut was ready for occupation the
clock on the mantelpiece of my sitting
room struck a quarter to l. Bidding
him good night and warning him to be
early astir OIL the morning, took my
hat and prepared to accompany Allie on
her homeward journey.
For some time neither Of us spoke.
Then it was Allie who began the con-
versation.
CDR. De Normanville, she said
and it must not be thought conceited
on my part to repeat it-"I want to
thank you from the bottom Of my heart
for the way in which you have taken
up your work Of mercy. / cannot say
what i would like to do, because my
heart is too full for utterance, but If
you could only realize what relief it
is to me to know that you are here to
conduct matters you would understand
something of the gratitude feel. O."
! uttered some commonplace reply,
all the time watching the wistful look
upon her face. Then she said suddenly:
"We have scarcely known each other
three days yet, but somehow feel as
if, despite all you have heard Of me,
you are my friend"
"And you are quite right in so feel
ing," 1 said. "Believe me, have for
gotten all the foolish stories I have
heard about you"
"No, no. / don't know that you
ought to do that" she continued, "be-
cause, you see, great number Of them
are true"
"You wish me to remember them,
then?" I cried in some surprise.
"Yes," she answered. II think you
ought to get clew for your own guild
ance ont of them. But in saying that I
wish you to understand why do so.
To do that involves my telling you my
history. Are you too tired to listen to
it tonight"
"Of course I am not" I answered
quickly, only too glad of the opportuni-
ty of hearing story that others would
have given anything to have had related
to them. "But if it means recalling un-
happy memories, why tell it to me? I
shall serve you just as faithfully with
out knowing it.
II do not doubt that for an instant"
she said. "But you must surely see, DR..
De Normanville, that, being brought
into contact with you as much as I am,
I want to set myself right with you. I
want you to know all about me. Hith-
erto you have only thought Of me, re-
member, as-well, as beautiful wom-
an whose pleasure in life it is to rob
and blackmail innocent and unsuspect-
ing folk in this distant portion Of the
globe Having seen your kindness and
gentleness to my unfortunate people to-
day and honoring you for it as I do, is
it to be wondered at that I want you to
understand my work in life properly?
May tell you my story?"
"Please dol 1t will interest me deep
ly."
She moved over from the gate to the
broad wooden rail that ran along the
path side and which had evidently been
placed there to protect foot passengers
from the abyss. Leaning on it, she
scanned the moonlit valley for some
moments without speaking. Then, turn
ing her face toward me, she began:
"My father, you must know, DR.. De
Normanville, was typical Englishman.
He came of good old Yorkshire family
and was an officer in her majesty's
navy. He was also remarkable for his
great height, strength and wonderful
personal beauty. He was very popular
with his fellow officers and men and in
the early part of his career saw good
deal of active service in various parts of
the globe. 1t was during the time that
he was stationed in the West Indies
and soon after he was made commander
of his ship that he met my mother,
beautiful creole, and married her. From
the moment of his marriage the good
luck which had hitherto attended his
career seemed to desert him. He lost his
ship on all uncharted rock, and when he
was appointed to another was ordered
to bad station, where he nearly lost
his wife and his OWL life of fever. With