Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-12
CHAPTER XIII.

Notwithstanding its capacity in the
matter Of mote magnifying and the
building up of. substantial charges
from straws and wisps, Vaudeville
had heart, and when it was known
that Lawyer Matthews had actually
taken to his bed and that DR.. Govan
looked very grave when questioned
about his patients chances for recov-
cry this heart swelled with a great
pity for Olivia's prospective desolation,
with the result that she was over
whelmed with neighborly offers Of help
and sympathy. Touching this wide
spread demonstration, she said to Miss
Malvina, with shining, grateful eyes:
Il always knew papa deserved to be
revered by his neighbors, and it makes
me SO proud to be assured of the esti-
nation he is held in. But don't think
he would like any of them at his bed
side. He told me SO. think Reuben
and can manage the case He is not
very sick. you know. It is just a nerv-
Gus attack. He has been in dreadful
ly nervous condition ever since the fire.
He was so frightened for me that
night, you know" To which Miss Nal
VIVA answered mo, of course" and
then Eyes, Of course" vaguely trying
to meet all requirements. She was
thinking Of how very i'll Mr. Matthews
really was and Of how entirely uncon-
scious Olivia was of the impending ca
tastrophe. But it was not for her to
furnish enlightenment.
Some one, Miss Malvina decided GER
tatnly ought to be within call at night
In case-in case Of the worst. DR.. Go
van was out Of the question. He was
too old and too necessary to the well
being Of the rest of Vaudeville to be
risked. She thought of Tom Broxton,
but Tom was hundreds of miles away.
hard at work. Mr.. Matthews had told
her he was in an electricians office in
Kansas City. Ollie never heard from
him at all nowadays. She thought Of
herself, only to think next Of her moth
er. She could not stay away from the
cottage at night. Why should not Clar-
ence Westover stay? She gave Olivia
the benefit of her views on this point.
Il think, my dear, you ought to have
some one besides old Reuben in the
house at night. It is just possible you
might want to send for DR.. Govan dur
ing the night. was thinking that Mr..
MISSIONER would be just the one."
Clarence to sit up at night? oh,
then you must think papa very ill in
deedw
Il don't think anything Of the kind
said Miss Malvina recklessly. II was
just thinking that naturally it would
cheer you up some to have him about"
A soft glow spread over the girls
tired face. The mere suggestion had
proved cheering.
"Oh, he is just as nice as can be! He
comes every day and has wanted to
help nurse from the very beginning,
and-and-it would be immensely COM
forting to me just to know that he was
within call, but papa seems to have
such an aversion to any one being in
his room. He has said over and over
again that he, hoped I would not take
advantage of him when he was asleep
to leave stranger in charge of him.
AS If would take advantage Of him
under any circumstances" she added
mournfully.
The very best of men are Sselfish
pigs when 1t comes to sickness.M said
Miss Malvina, with scorn in her eyes
and a fixed purpose in her heart.
She found Clarence Westover tether-
ing his horse to the Matthews rack.
She went toward him eagerly.
We'll, call this providential; that 1
do. was just casting about in my
mind how could get a message to
you.'
"Worse?' He nodded gravely to-
ward the house.
mo; i can't say that I see any
change at all, but it is just this way:
Things are in too critical a condition
for that child to be left alone at night,
with no one but old Reuben to call on
in case of-of"
Il understand. have thought so all
along. I have pleaded with her for
permission to stay. She has refused
me with singular obstinancy. can
not stay in. spite Of her"
That is just exactly what you must
do. know. 1t is all his doings. She
would be glad to have you / know it.
But she wouldn't go against his wishes
for the universe. don't suppose he
can help being selfish, seeing he is a
man. She needs you desperately, Mr..
Westoyer. What are you going to do
about it?"
A second of silent reflection fell be-
tween them, and then Westoyer solved
the problem cheerfully.
II have it. can be on hand and he
none the wiser for it. don't suppose,
now, any one is likely to visit the little
side porch his room opens on after
dark? - II.
mo. Splendid! There is q hammock
gwang there just outside his windows.