News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-05-01

Saxon hand. "Oh, DOCTOR he will get
well, won't he? He is better? There.
is hope? He knew me for moment.
You do believe my prayer will be an
sweredY
Rhena was crying softly. She was
broken and nervous with the great
strain of the last two weeks.
I've heard worse prayers get at
tended to-" replied the doctor shortly.
But do you think-oh. doctor, it is
death to me to think of-tell me, what
do you fear? Is he-will he IiveY
The doctor shut his lips tight. Rhena
watched him, with her hands clinched
hard over his. She did not know it,
but her slim fingers hurt even the doc
tors rugged, knotty fists. Finally he
answered her. Il think, yes, | am
quite sure, now that be knows that
you care for him a little, there is a
fighting chance"
"Care for him a littlew replied Rhe.
ma, with smile that melted the doc.
tor completely. Doctor, We're you
ever in love?
NO" replied the doctor, ''but if l
was I'd have to put up still another
band stand in the square. One apiece
wouldn't be too much for three such
fools as you and Stuart 9snd me-"
whats that nonsense he's talkfngp'
asked Eric, coming over to the end of
the room where they were.
ut was not nonsense" said Rhena,
with more color in her face than it
had seen since the day Stuart had first
spoken to her. She went over to the
side of Stuart and sat down there
watching him. She had great hope
now. The doctor also told the truth.
And indeed, he afterward said, nothing
but love brought Stuart out alive.
I've heard that people who were in
love could live ON nothing" the doctor
said "but | do believe if Stuart hadn't
come to himself long enough that day
to hear that little prayer I'd have had
two funerals on my hands pretty quick.
Well, l never understood these wo-
men. There she was one minute as
limp as a dead fish, and the next she
was as lively as a Salvation Army
tambourine. If | could get this article
they call love fixed up in prescription
and deal it out in severe cases, l be-
lieve it would do more good than all
the microbe killers on EARTH"
Those were wonderful days when
Stuart was declared out of danger.
Andrew celebrated by bringing over
his choicest blossoms. He ranged two
pots of roses on a table where Stuart
could see them and laid beautiful
white carnation on the bed within
reach of Stuart's fingers.
Its the only one I've been able to
get this winter, Stuart. Isn't it beau
ty? It's new variety. Do you know
what I've called it? | took the liberty
to call it the 'Rhena Dwight"
When Rhena came in a few minutes
after. Andrew and Eric pretended to be
busy talking at the other end of the
room
Stuart picked up the carnation and
spoke feebly, but the light of life was
in his eyes This blossom is called
the Rhena Dwight so Andrew says.
VIII you take it because of the love
bear your
Rhena took the flower and kissed it.
Then she shyly placed the blossom
against Stuart's lips. Then she laid it
down again in his hand.
mo" she said; lyon keep the Rhena
Dwight for the love have for you"
Is it any wonder Stuart grew well
with great rapidity after that?
In week he was almost well. He
was able to take part in the discussions
which forced themselves into that little
room in spite of all Eric could do.
There had been three weeks almost a
blank to Stuart. but full of horror and
misery for the miners on all the ranges
The fire that dreadful night had made
300 or 400 people homeless. The deaths
fror fever had lesSened some in Cham
pion. but at De Mott the daily mortality
had increased. But most of the suffer
ing came from lack of clothing and
fuel and food The winter had contin-
ued with terrible severity. And still
the union held out with remarkable
stubbOrnness, although the week of
Stuart's conyaIescence there was a ru-
NOR that a break would come very
soon The union had reached its limit
of ability to help in financial way
long before this.
Stuart came back to strength and
new vitality with all the force of the
old problem intensified as he realized
what the three weeks had added to it,
He was glorified with the love of Rhe.
ma, now wholly his, but he knew that
for nothing did she love him more than
for his desire to try to solve the hui.
man problem, as it touched both theil
lives in Champion. With all the added
warmth and enthusiasm of her great
hearted wisdom he now set himself
to the duty before him. 1t was not
alone his desire that Rhena should be
one of the company when Eric and
| Andrew came in to talk over matters.
The other men had learned that wo
mans wit very often supplies the nee
essary factor in a solution of practical
relief, and Rhena took her place with
them as indispensable to their councils
henceforth.
Something has got to be done soon
for the people who lost everything
in the fire." said Andrew. The little
group of four were in Eric's room.