The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-07-27
E[N 81, Aunt Emily, that girl
will be the death Of me!
She is the plague Of my
1ffep,

lifew
The speaker, who had raised himself
to sitting posture to deliver this ener-
getic protest, sank back with a sigh
of exhaustion on his comfortab BILE
couch.
The costly furnished room was
shaded from the summer sun by win
dow awnings, and betokened the abode
of invalidism In every detail.
The quiet was. however. broken by
sounds from without. In an apart
ment not far away a rich contralto
was indulging in the most astounding
gymnastics of which the human voice
is capable, while quick lingering on the
keyboard supported the vocal acrobatic
feats.
Suddenly there came a sweeping
rush 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
idol-her nephew-sighed as she an
swered:
"She is a great trial, Archie; but we
must endure it for a month or two"
In a moment tall, handsome girl 81
seventeen came up the terrace steps,
having made a circuit of the house
from the drawing-room.
my DEAR" said Mrs. Foster, holding
up warning finger, do try to be lit
tie more quiet: your cousin is very
nervous to-day"
''The idea of a man not twenty-four
having any nerves. returned LinDet
Morris, putting aside the lace curtains
to step into the room. Poor little fel-
low" she added. in 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. rath-
err fretfully: =
Persons in rude health have no
idea of the sufferings Of invalidism."
81 suppose it is shocking vulgar to
have no aches or palms," was the re-
ply; s'but refined laziness was never
my temptation"
my dear" exclaimed Aunt Emily,
s.illness Is not laziness."
mo, 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 q voice calling "Linnet!'
caused Miss Morris to dash. through
the open window again. and In Sec
ond she was standing beside a phae-
ton. In which was seated an elderly
gentleman.
zone more drive, LinnetT he asked.
"wait till T get my hat. papa"
She was seated beside him q moment
later, looking very grave.
What have you been doingT her
father asked.
"Singing in order to keep from cry
ing. 1t is so hard to let you CO." she
said, with a CULVER in her voice.
II know it, Linnet, but it's my duty"
her father rejoined; your poor aunt
is entirely alone in Nice, and some one
must 60 to her. I viii return an soon
as possible. In the meantime this Is q
pleasant home"
"Pleasanty" Linnet echoed, with an
expressive grimace. Papa, you are
doctor; tell me IL Archie is really Ill"
Eyes and no."
at thought as much"
HE is certainly delicate, but he pets
his ailments till from dwarfs they be-
come giants. II he were poor man
he would doubtless overcome all his
weakness; as rich one he viii proba-
bly, die In few years from sheer want
of purpose and lack of exercise. he Is
dyspeptic from lying about on beds
and touches instead of walking or
riding"
"And he has nervesw
Unfortunately he has-very sensi-
tive nerves with self-indulgence to
foster all their vagaries. Understand
me, dear; your cousin does suffer more
than you can well realize. and he will
suffer more and more because he en-
courages his troubles"
HE wants shaking up?'
Eyes. mentally and physically"
DR.. Morris's sister, recently left a
widow, was iii in Nice. and her broth
Aer had been summoned to escort her
home. During his absence Aunt Emily
had consented to take charge of Lin.
net.
1t aroused Archie's chivalry the fol.
lowing morning to see the still white
face Linnet turned from the last look
at the carriage which was taking hel
father to the station. For moment
the young man thought she would
faint, but she rallied and said with 9
dreary smile:
1--WE were never separated before
but promised papa not to fret, and
mean to keep my word"
"Still, in your fathers profession. h'
must be away from home great deal
"But he lets me help him. When
left school year ago he engaged mas
tiers for music and languages to CONE
to the house every day. The rest o
the time have worked for papa.
have under my care ward in tn
children's hospital. sew for the pa
tients. and keep the laboratory Of tina
ward in order"
Keep It in orderT questioned Aun
Emily. In tone Of surprise.
.'See that the medicine bottles ar
always filled, bandages rolled in tn
arswers. lint scraped. sticking plastic