The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-09-26
Our Daily Short Stories
RIVALS THREE.
BY ELIZABETH CHERRY WALTZ
copyright. 1901. by Authors syndlcate.>.

| ish on account of his health was try
| ing to the parson. His leisure was irk-
| some. He was unutterably lonesome
| without that constant press and hurry
| of mission work, boys clubs and parish
interests. He longed for it because it
had filled his days and made him sleep
| from sheer WEAKNESS. He missed Eloise
| more than for ten years. Even Alfaret-
| ia noticed it,
you're lonesome" she said, tersely.
well, it's material. Why don't you go
| calm on the ladies?"
Alpheus regarded her with a frown.
With all this commotion and talk2
I'm afraid to speak to a single wo
| man." qs - !,
Alfaretta laughed.
They've actually bit off their own
noses" she said, sagely. but you can
visit the sick. I hear that the Widow
Pauls little Phil is down with fever.
I'm fixing UP some jelly now for some
one to take down there. The fever al
ways does bad work in those creek bot
TOMS" rt
Thus Alfaretta became an humble in
strument in the hands of Providence.
The parson went, not only one day, but
another, to the several sick souls on
the flats. And, ministering, forgot his
loneliness once more.
The sewing circle met one afternoon
at the parlors over the Sunday-school
rooms. They were to finish up six sets
or RULED Swiss curtains, deemed-nec-
essary by the Bowles faction, to light
en- up the parsonage bedroom windows.
They were discussing whether they
might not now take up some work for
the heather, when Miss Sophronia Mis-
| bitt came in. She seemed decidedly
thoughtful.
Il don't hold doing anything for the
heather just now, she said, mot until
we do little for those sick people on
the flats. They need sheets and pillow
cases and nightgowns. The minister
has been taking over the parsonage
things. There are eleven cases of few
er, and 1t is certainly spreading"
Does your paw think it's catching?"
inquired the anxious mother.
He says it's infectious" replied Miss
Sophy, land Brother Wentworth has
been over there day and night. Paw
says he run down anyway. Seems as
if we ought to do more"
What can we do?" said Miss Julia,
in her superior way. I'm willing to
give money. Why not get a nurse or
two from the city and relieve us from
feeling that we are doing nothing?"
1t was voted an excellent plan, but
Miss Celia. who sat near the door, had
bright spot on each cheek. .
Maybe we had better not wait" she
said quietly, 'since things are so bad
L mnot afraid TO CO."
There was a chorus of "Ohs!" and
negatives. Only one little, weazened
woman who did not count for much
save to do a great deal on the sewing
machine, said she'd go if she was
needed
This pushed the plan about the nurse
to head and one was to be telegraph
ed for at once. But at that moment
Alfaretta burst in breathlessly:
2 Excuse me, but the parsons down
fairly, ravin' with fever. He's been
sick all day, but thought he was just
tired out. got to have help"
THE, feyer!". gasped Miss Julia, re-
treating hastily. re
They all huddled away. into a cor,
ner, leaving the little woman and Miss
Celia in their chairs.
Alfaretta's eyes swept the room with
a sarcasm not to be misunderstood.
"The fever, yes!" she announced,
land he a man of God that went down
among EN- over there with no thought
of danger. Now he needs help"
Miss. Celia reached down her hat
from hook behind her. The small wo-
man folded her work up.
1hClC . liO hOSQ VI any more, Sd1U
Miss Celia in a low tone, I'VE can be-
gin, anyhow. and they'll telegraph for
a nurse. I'll not stand back, and Mrs.
Hodges will stay with me-"
Don't you dare go!" shrieked her
aunt, you'll bring the fever home
Then / won't come home,' Miss Ce-
liza said. I'm all alone, anyhow, and
it don't matter
She went out of the door, Alfaretta
and the small woman followed, some
what amazed at the turn matters had
taken. At the parsonage door the hand
maiden grasped Miss Celias arm:
I've made lots o. fun o. you to
him." she said. hoarsely, but 1 take
II back. You've got the real feeling,
you have"
Miss Celia smiled wanly.
mo, l haven't she said. st didn't
care a straw only to have a little fun
going on and beat the others. But I'm
not afraid"
Then she went steadily up the stair
way to the room with the blue pin
cushion and monogramed towels.
But there are people in Redwood who
believe that Providence played them a
shabby trick when the fever came over
from the Flats and the minister's long
illness ended with a marriage.