Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-08-29

| aloud, II the horrible thought ""o
licfous to her cruel mind. for her ha.e
of Clarice was becoming almost a ma
MIA. and for the poor brides sufferlngs'
she would have been willing 10 give
pain to herself.
Further reflection on the subject was
however, for the present, cut snort Wy
the entrance of Bertha ana the phss'
clan.
The doctor for whom the girl had set
out in quest, and who had occaslohally
been called in for Robert Grayson' was
not at home. and Bertha had hasteheu
onward until she came to a mouse oh
which she saw a sign that
CDR. Francis Bethune" was at nome
within certain given hours. He proved
to be at home now, and he at once &C
companied her.
single glance served to inform MIS-.
Martin that the young mar VINO no"
entered with Bertha was not the GUS
tomary everyday repository or a GER
tain number of medicinal prescriptions
and Just brains enough to feel pulses
with a grand p%retense Of doing some
thing extraordinary.
She greeted him, therefore, with that
mingled respect and admiration whlch
she knew so we'll how to blend harmo-
n~iousIy. and he quick eye made a
mental inventory of him.
He was tall. out we'll developed and
well proportional. His face was pale
and firm: his mouth, large and shapely,
with fine. white teeth, contrasting
sharply with the red and healthy hps.
He had no beard at all, not even a
moustache, probably because It would
have been of an Objectionable color, Tor
his thick, wavy hair was as tawny as q
lions name.
With such a complexion and hair, IL
was natural to look for blue eyes;
on first meeting Francis Bethune, the
observer was made aware, almost with
a shock, that his eyes were dark as
midnight, with a singular glow that
gave them a tawny color, which again
made one think of the hue OF a lion; u
! this time, of a lions eyes.
His manner was somewhat abrupt,
Indicating hat his time was valuable,
and not to- be frittered away by femi-
nine nonsense.
This young lady tells me that a sick
man requires my services immediate
ly." he said, having acknowledged Mrs.
! vi dilI = SdlululioAA VIII .
This is the young man." that lady
returned, with equal brevity. indicating
young A stin, with a slight wave of the
hand. HE is an entire stranger; and
before we proceed further. l beg you
will tell me whether he is suffering
from any contagious disease. Because,
in that case, / cannot--even at my
daughters entreaty-permit him to re-
main here"
DIR. Bcthune had already reached the
sofa on which Shirley, unconscious OF
his surroundings, and still muttering
wildly to himself. vas seated.
AS the physician took the patients
hand and placed his fingers upon the
pulse, Shirley raised his head and gazed
fixedly into the newcomers face. IL
was evident enough that the uncon-
scious gazer neither saw nor recognized
the new face. but the effect upon the
doctor was startling. He colored vio-
Iently, and an irrepressible exclamation
of surprise escaped him.
Almost on the instant he was master
of himself and the sudden flush had re-
coded, leaving him paler h before.
But, quickly as he had regained his
self-possession, the momentary loss of
It had been noticed by Mrs. Martin, and
even by Bertha.
For nearly a minute he held Shirley's
hand, while he timed the pulsation at
the wrist by a small gold watch which
he had drawn from his pocket. AT the
end of that minute he replaced the
watch and turned to Mrs. Martin.
There is no danger of contagion,
madam" he said. addressing her, and
glancing toward Bertha. This gentle
man Is suffering from malarial fever
probably a relapse Of that troublesome
malady. for the appearance and general
condition indicate that he has beer for
some time an invalid. The illness has
reached a critical stage and has devel-
oped delirium, and the patient should
be put 20 bed at once and placed in
charge of a professional nurse. If you
desire 1t. l can relieve you of all trouble
on the SUBJECT by having the gentlemal
at once remo-ed 70 a hospital
by no means!" Mrs. Martin here in
terrupted. 1t didn't suit her designs OF
all that Shirley should be removed from
her constant observation just when his
presence might prove useful in so many
ways 10 her various plans. I'm the
name of Christian charity, / desire to
care for this young man, since he fell
down at our very feet. He is an utter
stranger, it is true; but all the more for
that reason his case calls for pity and
kindness"
Very well. Since you SO decide, l
will assist him to a room where he can
be put to bed"
Put him in my room, mamma dear,
please do" Bertha exclaimed, in tones
of entreaty. II can room with Lefty,
you know. Indeed, / would much pre-
fer it,"
Very well. my dear; it shall he as
you say" Mrs. Martin acquiesced.
This way, DR.. Bethune, If you please"
And she turned to leave the room.
The doctor had already taken Shir-
ley's arm and gently raised him from
the sofa. The poor fellow, although in
capable of originating any course of
action for himself, was blindly obedient
to the viii of another; and. supported
by the doctor, slowly followed Mrs.
Martin into the hall, and up a long, mar
row stairway leading to the second
floor.
The o usually occupied by Bertha
was soon reached. and. being already In
4 ,Narfant ArIa~ 80. ~--Als.a - -