El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-05-27
CHAPTER XIII.


Ruby, glancing up from an elaborate
band of crewel-work, destined to trim
a morninggown.
Il am going over to Meadowcroft to
superintend Bob's donkey-ride. 1 prom
ised him yesterday 1 would come"
What folly! You know he is never
allowed donkey-ride unless he has
been particularly good; and when ask
Piper if he has been good enough to
have one, she invariably answers
No.
Shell gives one of those low ripping
| laughs of hers, which has in it mock
ing ring.
Piper does not care for running
after donkeys-doubtless she considers
it mira dig. AS she knows that 1 al
ways do the running business and leave
her free. L invariably hear that the
| children are deserving of a ride
We'll, it's a bore any way" grum-
bles Ruby. Il wanted you to cut out
my collar and cuffs, as 1 feel inclined
for a good days work"
That won't take five minutes"
laughs She'll stripping off her wash
leather gloves and good temperedly
setting to the task.
When. some twenty minutes later,
she arrives at Meadowcrol. Farm, she
finds the children tablished in a hay
field near the house, and Piper no
where visible.
| Where is Piper?" asks Shell, sink.
| ing down in the fragrant hay.
Busy" answers, Bob, laconically.
Have you been good children-good
enough for a donkey ride?" pursues
Shell. smiling.
Don't know" responds Bob, with
placid ndifference-"s'pose not. Piper
boxed my ears this morning.
We'll, never mind" laughs Shell
'since Piper isn't here we can't ask
her-you shall have your donkey-ride
today, and then you'll be a good boy
tomorrow
Don't want a donkey-ride," re-
spends Bob stolidly; tell us a story
instead"
Not want a donkey-ride? Why.
what sort of a boy do you call your
self" demands Shell, turning the
child round to laugh him out of what
she imagines to be a fit Of the sulks;
then she becomes aware that Bob's
generally rosy face is pale and languid
looking-that his bright merry eyes
are dim and misty.
do you feel ill?" asks Shell, think
ing that the child must have been al
lowed to eat something unwholesone
Mono" falters Bob with all boy
reluctance to give in to physical suf-
fering; only my head aches rather"
With a strange thrill at her heart
Shell turns to Meg. The little girl is
sound asleep on a soft bed of hay, her
attitude betokening thorough lassitude
one fat little arm shields her eyes
from the light. Removing it gently.
Shell notes that poor Meg is wan as a
white may-blossom-even the slight
movement sends a convulsive shiver
through her little frame.
smell is not one to waste time over
speculations. STOPPING down, she rails
es the sleeping child in her arms, and, |
telling Bob to follow, proceeds to the |
farm. At the door she is met by the |
farmers wife, kind, motherly crea-
ture, who takes in at a glance Shells !
sign to be silent
Mounting to the children's room, |
which is deserted. she undresses Meg |
and lays her in her little cot few |
minutes persuasion and the promise |
OF fairy tale soon induce Bob to fol- |
low his sisters example. But Shell |
mas no need to cudgel her brains for |
the promised legend. No sooner does
boD's head touch the pillow than he,
TOO, sinks into a troubled sleep.
descending to the big tagged kitch-
en-, Shell holds a hurried consultation
with the farmers wife, the result of
which is that a boy is despatched for
the nearest doctor.
After two hours waiting the doctor
comes. He is an elderly man, genial
reliable and fatherly. Shell and the
mistress of the house accompany him
to the sick-room. When the three |
return to the big kitchen there is a
scared look on two at least of the
faces
All connection with that part of
the house must be cut off. Mrs Pom
fret, and sheet with Condy's fluid |
hung at the end of the passage. 1 will
telegraph at once to Mr.. Champley, if
you can furnish me with his address,
Piper, looking scared and pale, pro-
1uces the address, and the doctor takes |
mis- departure
The doctor is not certain" answers |
shell in her low sweet voice-"but he |
tears smallpox; it seems there are
some cases in the neighborhood''
Smallpox" shrieks Piper. "And |
Inn L expected to stop here and lose |
ny life through nursing children with |
smallpox? 1 won't do it-no, not for |
Queen Victoria herself!"
Shame upon you, womani'' cries
hrs. Pomfret wrathfully. do you
mean to tell me you would have the |
leart to go away and leave them poor |