Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-08-29

| aloud, and the horrible tnought was
Iicious to her cruei mind, for her nate
Of Ciarice was becoming almost a ma
MIA, and for the poor brides suf1erlnss'
she would have been willing TO give
pain to herself.
Further reflection on the subject was
however. for the present, cut snort ps
the entrance Of Bertha n the phys'
cian.
The doctor for whom the girl had set
ont in quest, and who had Occasionally
been called in for Robert Grayson' was
not at home, and Bertha had hasteneo
onward until she came TO a mousse Oh
which she saw a sign announcing thal
CDR. Francis Bethune" was at home.
within certain given hours. He proved
TO be at home now, and he at once &C
companied her.
4 single glance served to inform Mrs.
Martin that the young man VINO no"
entered with Bertha was not the Gus
tomary everyday repository or a GER
tain number OF medicinal prescriptions,
and Just brains enough to feel pulses
with a grand pretense OF doing some
thing extraordinary.
She greeted him. therefore, with that
mingled respect md admiration when
she knew so well how to blend harmo-
~niously. and he quick eye made a
mental inventory Of him..
He was tall. but we'll developed and
we'll proportioned. His face was pale
and firm; his mouth. large and shapely'
with fine. white teeth. contrasting
sharply with the red and healthy lips.
He had no beard at all, not even a
moustache, probably because 1t would
have been of an Objectionable color, for
his thick. wavy hair was as tawny as a
lions name.
With such a complexion n hair, 1t
was natural TO look for blue eyes: ana
on first meeting Francis Bethune, the
observer was made aware, almost Win
a shock, that his yes were dark as
midnight. with a singular glow that
gave them a tawny color. which again
made one think of the hue OF a lion; but
this time. of a lions eyes.
His manner was somewhat abrupt,
indicating hat his time was valuable,
and not to be frittered away by femi-
MIN nonsense.
This young lady tells me that a sick
man requires my services immediate
w." he said, having acknowledged Mrs.
Martins salutation with brief civilits.
This is the young man. that lady
returned, with equal brevity. indicating
young Austin, with a slight wave OF the
hand. He is an entire stranger; ana
before we proceed further. l beg you
will tell me whether he is suffering
from any contagious disease. Because,
in that case, / cannot-even at my
daughters entreaty-permit him TO re-
main here"
DR.. Bcthune had already reached the
sofa on which Shirley, unconscious OF
his surroundings, and still muttering
wildly to himself. was seated.
AS the physician too the patients
hand and placed his fingers upon the
pulse, Shirley raised his head and gazed
fxedly into the newcomers face. 1t
was evident enough hat the uncon-
scious gazer neither saw nor recognized
the new face, but the effect upon the
doctor was startling. He colored vio-
lently, and an irrepressible exclamation
of surprise escaped him.
Almost on the instant he was master
OF himself and the sudden flush had re-
coded, leaving him paler than before.
But, quickly as he had regained his
self-possession, the momentary loss or
It a been noticed by Mrs. Martin, aud
even by Bertha.
For nearly a minute he held Shirley's
hand. while he timed the ~pulsation at
the wrist by a small gold watch which
he had drawn from his pocket. AT the
end of that minute he replaced the
watch and turned to Mrs. Martin.
There is no danger of contagion,
madam he said, addressing her, and
CHANGING toward Bertha. This gentle
man is suffering from malarial fever
probably a relapse of that troublesome
malady, for the appearance and general
condition indicate that he has been for
sorne time an invalid. The illness has
reached a critical stage and has deyel-
oped delirium, and the patient should
be put 90 bed at once and placed in
charge of a professional nurse. II you
desire IL. 1 can relieve you of all trouble
on the subject by having the gentleman
at once removed to a hospital"
by no means" Mrs. Martin here in
terrupted. 1t didn't suit her designs ct
all that Shirley should be removed from
her constant observation just when his
presence might prove useful in so many
ways TO her various plans. In the
name OF Christian charity, 1 desire to
care for this young a since he fell
down at u very feet. He Is an utter
stranger, 1t is true; but all the more for
that reason his case calls for pity and
kindness"
Very well. Since you so decide, l
will assist him to a room where he can
be put to bed"
Put him in my room, mamma, dear,
please do" Bertha exclaimed, in tones
of entreaty. II can room with Lefty,
You know. indeed, l would much pre-
fer it,"
Very well, my dear; 1t shall be as
you say" Mrs. Martin acquiesced.
This way, DR.. Bethune, If you please"
And she turned to leave the room.
The doctor had already taken Shir-
ley's arm and gently raised him from
the sofa. The poor fellow, although in
capable OF originating any course of
action for himself, was blindly obedient
TO the win of another; and, supported
by the doctor, slowly followed Mrs.
Martin into the hall, and up a long. mar
row stairway leading to the second
floor.
The room usually occupied by Bertha
was soon reached, and. being already in