The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-04-18

TOR completely. DOctor, were you
ever in lover
mo" replied the doctor, ''but II
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 and me-"
whats that nonsense he's talkingY'
asked Eric, coming over to the end OF
the room where they were.
1T was not nonsense" said Rhena
with more color in her face than II
had seen since the day Stuart had first
spoken to her. She went over to rhe
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.
1--WE heard that people who were in
love could live on nothing" the doctor
said, "but do believe II 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 Salvation Army
tambourine. II could get this article
they call love fixed up in prescription
and deal 1t out in severe cases, l be-
lieve 1t 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 a new variety. Do you know
what I've called It? took the liberty
to call 1t the 'Rhena Dwight"
When Rhena came in few minutes
after. Andrew and Eric pretended to be
busy talking at the other end Of the
room.
Stuart picked up the carnatlon 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 1t because Of the love I
bear your
Rhena took the flower and kissed It.
Then she shyly placed the blossom
against Stuart's lips. Then she laid 1t
down again in his hand.
mo" she said; you keep the Rhena
Dwight for the love have for you"
Is it any wonder Stuart grew well
with great rapidity after that7
In week he was almost we'll. 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 n
blank to Stuart, bat full Of horror and
misery for the miners on all the ranges.
The fire that dreadful night had made
800 or 400 people homeless. The deaths
from 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 foed. The winter had contin-
ued with terrible severity. And still
the union held out with remarkable
stubbornness, although the week Of
Stuart's csnyalescence there was q ru-
NOR that a break would come very
soon. The union had reached its limit
Of ability TO help In a 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 1t.
He was glorined 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 hu-
man problem. rs 1t touched both their
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 q 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 hre." said Andrew. The little
group Of four were In Eric's room,
Stuart On the couch. Rhena sitting
near the end Of 1t, Eric pacing the
room. his dark eyes restless and burn.
ing.
II understand they have all been
comfortably cared for. but l don't see
myself what Champion people have
been able to do for them in the way
Of housing them." said Stuart, looking
at Andrew, upon whom a large share
Of the work Of relief had fallen during
Stuart's unconscious condition.
Heaven knows how all Of them
have been cared for. The Salvation
Army hall has been turned into bar
racks, and Miss Rhena here knows
how much the army has done"