The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-04
The Beautiful White Devil.
Confined From Page Seven.

Confined From Page Seven.
All of these mean, OF course, tnose
who had not had the disease-were
forthwith vaccinated and dispatched,
under the leadership Of one of my six
Eeutenants, to a site I had chosen on
the hillside for the hospital. There they
were employed erecting huts with all
possible dispatch.
When the remainder had undergone
the necessary operation, volunteers were
requested to enroll themselves for the
work Of nursing the sick, and for this
duty no less than 20 held up their
hands, eight Of whom had themselves
been victims Of the pestilence.
Long before had completed my work
of vaccination the sun had disappeared
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 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
ont ceasing. Her enthusiasm was like q
stimulant, and it had the effect of one
upon all concerned.
When my arms ached and my brain
seemed tagged out beyond all recouping
with plotting. planning and giving ad-
vice. it was like a 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, slouch-
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 l put down my implements and
received Christensen report that the
fourth hut was ready for occupation the
clock on the mantelpiece of my sitting
room struck quarter to l. Bidding
him good night and warning him to be
early astir on the morning, took my
hat and prepared to accompany Allie OH
her homeward journey.
For some time neither of us spoke.
Then it was Allie who began the con.
versation.
'.Dr. De Normanville, she said
and it must not be thought conceited
on my part to repeat tit want to
thank you from the bottom of my heart
for the way in which you have taken
up your work Of mercy. l cannot say
what ] 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 I feel"
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 ere my friend. y
And you are quite right in so feel
ing said. believe me, have for
gotten all the foolish stories I have
heard about you
No, no. don't know that you
fCf n hot - Oh,
cause, you see, great number of them
are true"
"You wish me to remember them,
then?" I cried in some surprise.
Eyes, " she answered. 81 think you
ought to get clew for your own guild
ance out 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 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?
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 am,
! want to set myself right with you. l
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 do, is
it to be wondered at that want you to
understand my work in life properly?
May l tell you my story?"
please do! 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