The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-03-08

IhCh oue DeCOneS aware lNaL DOU
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 unwholesome.
Mono" falters Bob, with all n boy S
| reluctance to give in to physical suf-
fering; only my head aches rather"
With 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 blo5som-eyen the slight
movement sends conclusive SILVER
through her little frame.
Shell is not one to waste time over
speculaions. 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 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. A few
minutes persuasion and the promise
OF fairy tale soon induce Bob to fol-
low his sisters example But She'll
has no need to cudgel her brains for
the promised legend. No sooner does
Bob'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 boy is despatched for
the nearest doctor.
Whilst she is waiting his arrival, Pr
per turns up explaining that she has
only just been down to the village for
few stamps; she looks much taken
aback when she hears of the children's
illness and finds that she cannot pooh
pooh it,
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 Condys fluid
hung at the end of the passage. | will
telegraph at once to Mr.. Champley, If
you can furnish me with his address,"
Piper, looking scared and pale, pro-
duces the address, and the doctor takes
his departure.
"The doctor is not certain" answers
Shell in her low sweet voice-"but he
fears smallpox; it seems there are
some cases in the neighborhood."
Smallpox" shrieks Piper. "And
am expected to stop here and lose
my life through nursing children with
smallpox? / won't do it-no, not for
Queen Victoria herself!"
Shame upon you, woman" cries
Mrs. Pomfret wrathfully. do you
mean to tell me you would have the
heart to go away and leave them poor
little babies, with their father away
goodness knows where, and their poor
mother lying buried? I'd nurse 'em
myself, and welcome, only I've got my
own children to think Of, and l can't
"a inc tn nd Gro 30 hn tnlx
with smallpox hanging about my
LET who will nurse em-I won't"
Piper doggedly.
do you think / would allow your"
flashes Shell, her bosom heaying with
suppressed scorn and anger. "Do you
imagine for one moment that you are
fit to be trusted to nurse them?"
you are right there. MISS" agrees
Mrs. Pomfret: for she negiects them
poor dears, shameful. AS for nursing,
wouldn't trust her with a sick cat;"
then, turning to the nurse, she con-
Linues loftily-"Take your precious per-
son out OF this as soon as may be-
though who's to attend to them chill
dren, don't know"
Don't trouble yourself about that,
Mrs. Pomfret. / will take care of them
till a proper nurse is found" says Shell
gently.
You mustn't insists catching
dreadful catching" demonstrates Mrs.
Pomfret.
Only when people are afraid"
laughs Shell. 81 don't feel in the least
nervous about illness"
Cause you haven't seen much"
opines Mrs. Pomfret, with a sage head
shake.
There is general CONSERVATION at
Gorse Cottage when Shell arrives with
her news.