The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-06-14

VI rill NJ NV NVu hh'N
"Only Just nm ordinary attack OF fe-
YER I expect" said Mrs. Lawson ncrv-
ously but we will have doctor at
once"
mo, no." cried the ayah stlll more
wildly; doctor put me in plague hos
pitall | die directly, quickw
"Nonscnse!" said Mrs. Lawson.
why should they put you therei You
have not got the plague"
The ayah returned no answer, but
only sank groaning on the floor. Mrs.
Lawson was more than miserable. IL
she told the manager the ayah was
Ill, he would probably Insist on the
whole family leaving Mt once on the
chance OF their having brought infec-
tion TO the hotel. Yet how was she
TO get doctor7 Hastily picking up the
baby and telling Pat to follow her she
hurried away to her own room down
stairs.
"Do you think she really has the
plague, motherp said Pat. "If she
has, baby's pretty certain to get It,"
"Oh, Pat, how can you say such
things2 said his mother in an agoniz-
ed voice. "No, OF course II isn't. 1t
can't be the plague"
IL don't know" said Pat wisely.
"Shc looks very odd, and know 1t be-
gins with fever. She said she had
pains too"
"Oh, do be quiet" cried his mother,
unless you want to drive me out Of
my mind. | must send note to your
father mt once, telling him to come up!''
She wrote II hurricdly, and then
rang for the boy to take It. He came.
peaceful rs ever without n shadow Of
expression on his yellow, fiat face,
though, rs Pat informed his mother,
he had been with him and the ayah all
the morning.
Run, quick, John" said his mis-
tress. "and bring an answer back"
John bowed.
"And now, what next, mother" said
Pat, with gusto. 1--WE ought to so and
attend to the ayab now"
Good heavens, MOI" said Mrs. Law
son. Pat, you must not go near her
on any account DO you hearW
"Well, the poor thing wants looking
after, mother" said Pat disappointed
ly, Especially If she has got the
plague. l want to see what happens
next"
However, he consented to wait in the
sitting room till his father came. Mr..
Lawson arrived in about half an hour
very hot and cross and burst into the
sitting room.
What rot Is this, Alicia?' he said
angrily. "IIow am to get through my
work If l am to be continually inter"
rupted by sensclcss messages? Ayah
got the plague indeed! Much more like
ly overcatcn herself"
"Comc and see her yourself, Wal
ter" said Mrs. Lawson, rising. 81 do
not say she has the plague, but she evi-
IDENTIFY fancies she has it herself,
think she should see n doctor"
Come along, then" said her hus-
band. Then, as Pat prepared to fol
low, he pushed him back. mo, no,
young man." he said kindly; Eve don't
want any more complications"
They went down the passage in ST.
| lcnce and waited a minute outside the
'lpbl VI tllt looll III " liSb VIC os an
had been left. A faint moaning could
be heard. Mr.. Lawrence opened the
door and walked in.
The ayah was crouched on the floor
in nearly the same attitude as when
his wife had left her, only she seemed
more stupetied or insensible. She did
not seem to understand the questions
Mr.. Lawson asked her, but staggered
up when he attempted to lift her and
remained leaning against the wall.
Then they could see an immense blu
ish swelling below her arm. Mr.. Law
son spoke to her kindly and, putting a
pillow for her on the floor, made signs
to her to lie down; then he left the
room with his wife.
ITS the plague, no doubt" he said
in low tone as he closed and locked
the door. "The question now is, What
are we to do with her?'
"Oh, Walter, the childrenw gasped
his wife.
I'VE must hope for the best" said
her husband kindly. You must re-
member Europeans very rarely get It,.
But they have been close to her all
day." said Mrs. Lawson miserably, re-
membering her long conversation with
her friend in the drawing room. II
ought to have seen after her before
Pat fetched me, but she seemed SO
disagreeable thought 1t better to leave
her alone"
"What has already happened cannot
be helped" said her husband. You
must keep both children with you now
Of course. Luckily your other rooms
are n long way off this one, and must
go to Dr. Brown at once and report the
case"
"What will be done with the poor
thing" asked Mrs. Lawson. "She has
such horror of going to hospital"
1T is the only place she can possibly
so to-" said Mr.. Lawson. I'VE shall be
lucky If we have not all to get out Of
here as well, However, ! will try and
arrange things with the manager"