The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-25

1 clans and nurses to look after them- then new buildings were levied ur.on for the temporary use of patients and then the whole city became a hospital
 Pierre had been working day aud night at the drug store, but that was not enough. He had a fair knowledge of medicine, and there was a woeful Jack of help An appeal had been n ade to the country at large, but 1t would take time for volunteers to arrive. and Just now every moment was precious. lie left the drug store and wen. home.
 Thank God that you are come. Pierre" said the grandmother. fer vently. as he entered; T have been counting our money and we have twelve dollars. It will take us back among the hills. We can get along some way. mon cher. and at least you will be safe."
 But Pierre threw back his head and looked at her silently; and the grand mother after one swift. agoniZed glance at his set face, fell back into her chair with a low cry.
 T feared iI would be so, my little one! my poor little one!' she moaned. The good God has dealt hardly with me. and I hoped that he would jet this pass. No, mo-" as Pierre was about to speak T know what you would say. hCIc are oJ am hO OA'S to minister to them. You would give your life. An. my God! I know 1t Is right l have been through it before. and gave all I had. But it was hard. my little Pierre. I am an old woman now and not as strong as l was when your father and grandfather, and your two boy uncles. came and looked at me as you do now. Not one of them came back to me. little Pierre--not one!" She rocked to end fro. and obeying a sudden impulse, Pierre sprang to her side and threw his arm across her shoulders.
 No. mo-" he whispered. tenderly. "I will never leave you. We will so back among the hilIs."
 The grandmother shiversd as though from a blow, and as she rose slowly from her chair, there came to her face the same strong, resolute expression which Pierre rememberd u have seen far back in his childhood
 Tt is right that you should go Pierre" she said. softly, T knew. but was weak. May the good God over look our frailties. Yes. in answer to his look. you may go now. They need you more than I. But hold inc close once more. little Pierre, we may pever see each other again"
 She was standing firm and erect when he looked back at her from the door; then he turned away and gave himself and his thoughts to the duty before him.
 The grandmother scarcely left her room during the terrible weeks that followed. Occasionally she heard hush ed whispers along the sidewalk, and. more frequently. the dull rumble of the dead cart. stopping here and there to pick up its silent passengers. She did not listen for the footsteps of Pierre; she had given him up. Rumors reached her of physicians I and nurses dying at their posts, and of the gradual extension of the plague to other coast cities, but she scarcely needed. She had given up her future and now she was gradually falling back into dreaming of the past. One day slow, uncertain footsteps shuffled along the sidewalk, and then the door opened and Pierre stood be- fore her. big-eyed and emaciated.
 "The plague has run it's course" he said wearily. They have no further need for me-
 The grandmother looked at him wcu- deringly, incredulously; then, as she caught him in her arms, a look of in effable joy drove the expression of stony resignation from her face.
 "The good God has blessed me-" she said. reverently. "even while was cen suring him. Let Us not forget. my lit- l tie P1erre.''
 ST." by Geo. W. Kline.