The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-04

we can't get away and even if we could
L don't know as I'd go--now. Her father
is down and no one there but Iris. liza
can't get proper medical attendance. and
I'm going TO have him brought here.
You are not afraid, arc you old chapr
IL so, there Is the Hotel-you can go
back there. It's for her I'm doing Il, and
I'm going 10 save his life il possiblel"
Bring her heret' l exclaimed as soon
az | could catch my breath" ''why. Jack.
it's madness, and YOU know that--no,
you're right. you're right, and Iii stand
by you. Bring him here and we'll SEQ
this thing through--for her sake.
Jack grasped my hand. and fancied,
perhaps IL was only a fancy, I could SEQ
tears In his eyes as he mumbled "thanks''
and went into the house.
He came out presently and went down
the road. An hour afterward the rumble
Of wheels attracted my attention and n
cart drawn by a negro slowly moved up
10 the house. carrying upon litter q
man wrapped In blankets. Back OF the
cart walked Iris and Jack. silently
mournfully.
Into the house we gently carried him
and laid him upon the cot. The fever
had taken a firm hold and his face had
assumed that terrible yellowishness-that
awful sign.
After that came the weary days oe
nursing. Jack and Iris 0 doing what was
possiolel; tending him as they would
child. How she would watch Jack-her
eyes following his movements with that
look which betokens love and reverence,
even bordering upon worship and often
found her gazing upon him, he uncon-
scious of il all.
She proved an excellent nurse and Il
seemed as " she never slept. always be-
ing on the alert-constantly watching her
father. and ever ready 20 do Jacks bid
ding. Occasionally we would prevail upon
her TO take a walk and get away from
EInk a. "A 20 nFla
with reluctance. Jack had worked hard
too. and IL was beginning TO show upon
him. but thanks to great efforts the pa
tient was practically out OF danger. The
happiness OF Iris when she saw the
change for the better was good for ones
soul II seemed
take Iris for a walk. won't you Tedr'
| asked Jack one afternoon. " the poor girl
! has hardly stirred out OF the house for
| four days Go with him Iriss4Sli stay
here and take siesta in the hammock
| go and enjoy yourselves-ai revoiri
The only answer Iris gave was that OF
silent obedience. and off we started along
the road to Morne Rouge. drinking in the
beauties OF nature. During the past
month my French had been brushed up
little. and could express myself in a
sions however would bring q smile TO
Iris face. but 1 didn't mind-it had been
so seldom she smiled Of late. and on. me
about the "fer-de-lance" that awful rep
tile which was occasionally seen along
the mountain ROAD we were WaihlnB. cHo
smiled, shrugged her pretty shoulders
and said In her quaint French way:
'They ees veri-veri bad-they bit-you
die-die,"
/ changed the subject immediately-it
was too forcible. IL had begun TO grow
dark when we returned 10 our little home.
tIp the walk we went she hummsng q
little creole air. the first 1 had heard
from her for some time.
There lay Jack in tho hammock as We
had left him He was asleep, Tres jolie,"
(very pretty). whispered Iris to me as
she caught sight OF him. The next mo-
ment she gave 81 heart rendering scream!
Mon Dieul" she cried, pointing to ono
side of Jack
There, only foot from him. coifed up.
ready TO spring upon the sleeper was
dreaded "fer-de-lance.
For moment--less II seemed-Iris
stood as if paralyzed. Then she gave %
lean forward just as the serpent sprang
To strike, and threw herself bstween it
and the sleeper The small head with
two greenish eyes darted forward and
buried it's fangs into the brown chseks or
Iris Jack sprang out OF the hansoock
with a cry. and she slowly rose 10 her
feet She understood IL was death.
Into the hammock she flung herself and
we stood over her. "It ees finish, she
murmured looking M into Jacks eyes.
''Venf-come" she continued outstretch-
ing her arms. pulling him close to her
''Je vous aime-au revoir, Monsieur JACK
--au rev
But IL was never furnished. a. con-
vulsiVe shudder and all was over. Shs
had paid her debt of gratitude and love.
7 did not look at Jack. l didn't dare 70.
but walked away leaving him standing
alone with her.