Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-04-27
CHAPTER XIII.
"MoTHER' sPILLMAN SPEAKS OUT AT
LAST.

"MoTHER" sPILLMAN SPEAKS OUT AT
LAST.
Notwithstanding its capacity In the
matter of mote magnifying and the
building up of substantial charges
from straws and wisps, Vaudeville
had Il heart. and when il 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 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:
81 always knew papa deserved to be
revered by his neighbors, and it makes
me so proud to be assured of the est
nation he is held in. But l don't think
he would like any of them at his bed
side. He told me so. l think Reuben
and | can manage the case. He Is not
very sick. you know. 1t is just nerv-
Gus attack. He has been in dreadful
" nervous condition ever since the fire.
He was so frightened for me that
night you know" To which Miss NAL
vina answered mo. of course" and
then "Yes, 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 1t was not for her to
furnish enlightenment.
Some one, Miss Malvina decided, GER
tainly ought to be within call at night
in case-in case of the worst. DR.. Co.
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
err. 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 3ne besides old Reuben in the
house at night. 1t is just possible you
might want to send for DR.. Govan dur
ing the night. was thinking that Mr..
Westover would be just the one"
Clarence to sit up at night? Oh,
then you must think papa very i'll In
deed!'
II don't think anything of the kind
said Miss Malvina recklessly. Il was
just thinking that naturally 1t 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, be 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 Ovel
again that he hoped would not take
advantage of him when he was asleel
to leave stranger in charge of him
As IL | would take advantage OF hin
under any circumstances" she added
mournfully.
1.-THE very best Of men are selfisl
pigs when IL comes 10 sickness" SAID
Miss Malvina. with scorn In her eye:
and n fixed purpose In her heart.
She found Clarence Westoyer tether
ing his horse to the Matthews rack
She went toward him eagerly.
well. call this proyidential: that
do. was just casting about In m,
mind how could get message q
you"
"worsey' He nodded gravely to
ward the house.
NO: can't say that | see an.
change ut all. but Il II just this way
Things are In too critical 4 eonditioI
for that child to lee left alone at night
| Win DO ote hAt Nid itFhbSu " 1aA ~
In case of-of-'--
Il understand. have thought 30 nj
along. I have pleaded with her 20
permission TO stay. She las refuse
me with singular obstinancy. ] can
not stay In spite Of her"
THAT is just exactly what you mus
do. know. IL Is all his dolngs. Sh
would be glad TO have you. | know i
But she wouldn't go against his wishe
for the universe. | don't suppose b
can help being selfish, seeing he is
man. She needs you desperately, MI
Westover. What are you going to d
about IT."
A second of silent reflection fell b'
tween them, and then West0ver solve
the problem cheerfully.
II have it. can be on hand and h
none the wiser for 1t. l don't suppose
now, any one is likely to visit the littl
side porch his room opens on afte
darkT @
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