Middletown transcript., 1901-06-22
The Plague Of His Life

- H, Aunt Emily, that girl will


- I'll, Aunt Emily, that girl will
HN be the death Of mel She j:
IN the plague Of my iifep'
Va The speaker, who had
NJ raised himself to sitting
posture to deliver this erler-
getic protest, sank back with sigh OF ex,
haustion on his comfortable couch.
The costly furnished room was shaded
from the summer sun by window avn
ings. and betokened the abode OF inva'
lidism in every detail.
The quiet was, however, broken Dy
sounds from without. In an apartment
not far away rich contralto was induIg-
ing in the most astounding gymnastics oi
which the human voice is capable, while
quick lingering on the keyboard sup
ported the vocal acrobatic feats.
Suddenly there came sweeping rusf
Of notes, a crash of chords, and the piano
lid fell with a bang that startled the
speech above quoted from Archibald
Lynne.
Aunt Emily, otherwise Mrs. George
Foster, a blue-eyed widow with one lido
her nephew-sighed as she answered:
"she is a great tria', Archie; but We
must endure it for a month or two. "
Tn a moment tall, handsome girl ol
seventeen came up the terrace steps, hay'
ing made a circuit of the house from the
drawing-room.
"My dear" said Mrs. Foster, holding
Up a warning finger, "do try to be lit,
tie more quiet; your cousin is very ner-
vous to-day"
"The idea of a man not twenty -four
having any nervesr' returned Linnet
Morris, putting aside the lace curtains to
step into the room. ''Poor little fellow, "
she added, in a soothing tone, "did it
want to be quiet?"
Archibald flushed under the keen sar-
casm Of the great black eyes looking
down on his tall figure, but said, rather
fretfully:
"Persons in rude health have no idea
Of the suferings of invalidism."
'I suppose it is shocking vulgar to
have no aches or palms," was the reply
sbut refined laziness was never my temp.
tation."
"My DEAR" exclaimed AuEt Emily,
"illness is not laziness."
"No, but"
This was all the girl said, but again
Lynne flushed under the scrutiny Of the
dark eyes.
A grating Of wheels on the gravel drive
and voice calling "LinnetP caused
Miss Morris to dash through the oper
window again, and in second she wa
standing beside phaeton, in which wa'
seated an elderly gentleman.
cone more drive, Linnet?' he asked
"Wait till I get my hat, papa.
She was seated beside hin a momen
later, looking very grave.
"What have you been doing? he
father asked.
"Singing in order to keep from crying
It is SO hard to let you CO." she said
with quiver III her voice.
II know it, LiEnet, but ifS niy duty,
her father rejoined; "your poor aunt i
entirely alone in Nice, and some on'
must 20 to her. l will return as soon a
possible. In the meantime this is
pleasant home"
'sPleasant?" Linnet echoed, with al
expressive grimace. Papa, you are
doctor; tell me if Archie is really III. I"
eyes and no"
II thought as much. "
"He is certainly delicate, but he pet
his ailments till from dwarfs they becom'
giants. If he were a poor man he woult
doubtless overcome all his weakness; as |
rich one he will probably die in a few
wears from sheer wait of purpose ant
lack Of exercise. He is dyspeptic from
living about on beds and couches instead
Of walking or riding"
"And he has nerves"
aUnfortunately he has-very sensitive
neryes-with self.indulgence to foster al
their vagaries. Understand me, dear
vour cousin does suffer more than yoI
can well realize, and he will suffer more
and more because he encourages his trou
bles."
'fHe wants shaking up?
Eyes, mentally and physically"
DR.. Morris's sister, recently left
widow, was i'll in Nice, and her brother
had been summoned to escort her home
During his absence Aunt Emily had con
sented to take charge of Linnet.
1t aroused Archie's chiyalry the fol
lowing morning to see the still white
face Linnet turned from the last look
at the carriage which was taking LEI
father to the station. For moment
the young man thought she would faint,
but she rallied and said with a dreary
smile:
1--WE we're never separated before, but
promised papa not to fret, and ! NEAR
to keep my word.''
"still, in your fathers profession, hf
must be away from home great deal"
"But he let's me help him. When
left school year ago he engaged master'
for music and languages to come to th'
house every day. The rest OF the tlmt
| have worked for papa. l have undel
nv care ward in the children's hospital
/ sew for the patients, and keep the zap
oratory Of that ward in order"
"Keep it in order?' questioned Aun
Emily. in a tone of surprise.
ssSee that the medicine bottles arr
always filed, bandages rolled in tht
drawers, lint scraped, sticking plaster
ready, the instruments at hand, ane
everything in order for instant use. IL
case of accident, life may hang on one
second of promptness or delay. Paps
4 L -, a. ant IN nT0pTDQnHIPE