Gilpin observer., 1901-07-18

met Pierre on the street and told him
that he must not go to the hospital
any more; there were cases of fever
just brought in, and 1t might not be
safe. So Pierre waited. and a few Gays
multiplied the cases to twenty; and
then few more days, and the city was
hushed in the apprehension of great
terror. Business ceased and those who
were able fed to the hills, to the north,
out to sea. anywhere to get away from
| the plague. The hospital was soon
full, and there were not enough physi-
clans and nurses to look after them
then new buildings were levied upon
for the temporary use of patients. and
then the whole city became hospital
| Pierre had been working day and
night at the drug store, but that was
| not enough He had fair knowledge
of medicine. and there was woeful
lack of help. An appeal had been made
| to the country at. large, but it would
take time for volunteers to arrive, and
just now every moment was precious.
He left the drug store and went home.
THANK God that you are come,
Pierre" said the grandmother, fer
vently. as he entered: 81 have been
counting our money, and we have
twelve dollars. 1t will take us back
among the hills. We can get along
some way, mon cher, and at least you
will be SAFE
But Pierre threw back his head and
looked at her silently; and the grand
mother after one swift, agonized
glance at mis- set face, fell back into
her chair with a low cry.
II feared it would be so, my little
one! my poor little one!" she moaned
"The good God has dealt hardly with
me, and hoped that he would let this
pass. No, no." as Pierre was about to
speak, Il know what you would say.
There are hundreds dying, and no one
to minister to them. You would give
your life. All, my God! l know it is
right! l have been through it before,
and gave all l had. But it was hard,
my little Pierre. l am an old woman
now. and not as strong MS l was whan
your father and grandfather, and your
two boy uncles, came and looked at me
as you do now. Not one of them
came back to me. little Pierre-not
one!" She rocked to and fro, and
opSyih6 SuuoSh lLhpulSc, leTES
sprang to her side and threw his arm
across her shoulders.
mo. no." he whispered, tenderly, Il
will never leave you. We will go back
among the hills"
The grandmother shivored as though
from blow, and as she rose slowly
from her chair. there came to her face
the same strong. resolute expression
which Pierre remembered to have seen
far back in his childhood.
1T Is right that you should go,
Pierre" she said. softly. 81 knew, but
! was weak. May the good God over
look our frailties. Yes" in answer to
his look, you may go now. They need
you more than l. But hold me close
once more, little Pierre. we may never
see each other again"
she was standing nrm and erect
when he looked back at her from the
door; then he turned away and gave
himself and his thoughts to the duty
before him.
The grandmother scarcely left her
room during the terrible weeks that
followed. Occasionally she heard
hushed whispers along the sidewalk.
and, more frequently. the dull rumble
of the dead cart. stopping here and
there to pick up its silent passengers.
She did not listen for the footsteps of
Pierre; she had given him up.
Rumors reached her of physicians
and nurses dying at their posts. and
of the gradual extension of the plague
to other coast cities, but she scarcely
needed. Shc had given up her future,
and now she was gra iUally falling
back into dreaming of the past.
One day slow. uncertain footsteps
shuffled along the sidewalk, and then