Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-01-07
The Doctors Dilemma
BY Hesba Strstton
CHAPTER XXVII.-(Continued)


Hast thou brought a doctor with thee'
my brother?' she asked.
81 have brought no doctor except thy
brother, my sister," answered Monsieur
Laurentie ''also u treasure which
found at the foot of the Calvary down
yonder"
He had alighted whilst saying this, and
the rest of the conversation was carried
on in whispers There was some one III
in the house, and our arrival was IL
timed. that was quite clear. Whoever
the woman was that had come to the
door, she did not advance to speak to
me- but retreated as soon as the conver-
satiOn was over.
Pardon. madame" he said, approach
ing us, but my sister is too much occu-
pied with a sick person to do herself the
honor of attending upon you"
He did not conduct us through the open
door, but led us round the angle of the
presbytery to small clubhouse opening
on to the court, and with no other en-
trance 1t was a building lying between
the porch and belfry of the church ana
his own dwelling place. But it looked
comfortable and inviting. A fire had been
hastily kinded on an open hearth, and a
heap of wood lay beside it. Two beds
were III luis lOOul, Que WI wv
the head and large tall cross at the
foot board; the other a low, narrow pal
let, lying along the foot of it. A cruci-
fix hung upon the wall, and the wood
work of the high window also formed
cross. 1t seemed a strange goal to reach
after our days wanderings.
Monsieur Laurentie put the lamp down
on the table, and drew the logs of wood
together ON the hearth. He was an old
man, as | then thought, over sixty. lie
looked round upon us with q benevolent
smile.
Madame" he said "our hospitality
is rude and simple, but you are very vel
come guests. My sister is desolated that
she must leave you to my cares. But II
there be anything you have need of, tell
me, l pray YOU
There is nothing monsieur" l an
swered; you are too good to us-too
good"
mo, no, madame" he said, "be con
tent. Tomorrow | will send You to u an
vile under the charge of my good Jean.
Sleep well, my children, and fear moth
ing Fhe good God will protect you
Minima had thrown herself upon the
low pallet bed. | took off her damp
clothes, and laid her down comfortably
TO rest. 1T WAS not lOHS peloAe "i0o
was sleeping soundly. Once or twice
vague impression forced itself upon me
that Minma was talking u great deal in
her dreams. 1t WAS the clang of the
bell for mathis which fully reused me at
last, but it was a minute or two before
could make out where l was. lnt Ii
Minma began to talk.
How funny that isl she said, there
the bows run, and | can't catch one of
them. Father, Temple Secundus is pull
ing faces at me, and all the boys are
laughing. Well. it doesn't matter, does
it? Only we are so poor, Aunt Nelly
and all We're 50 poor-so poor-so
poor"
Her voice fell into a murmur too low
for me to hear what she was saying,
though she went on talking rapidly, and
laughing anl sobbing at times. l called
to her, but she did not answer.
What could all the child? l went to
her. and took her hands in mine-burning
little hands. | said, "Minima. and she
turned to me with a caresslnS gesture
raising her hot fingers to stroke my race
Yes, Aunt Nelly. How poor we are
YOU and l! l am SO tired, and the prln>e
never comes
There was hardly room for ME in the
narrow bed but l managed to lie down
beside her. and took her into my arms TO
snntbe hrr. She rested there quietly
enough: but her mind was wanderlns'
and all her whispered chatter was ABOUT
the boys. and the dominic, her fathSr' ana
the happy days at home in the school III
Enninr Forest AS soon as it was light L
dressed myself in haste. and opened my
door to see if could find any one to send
to Monsieur Laurentie.
The first person | saw was himself.
coming in my direction. l had not talriv
looked at him before for l had seen him
only by twilight and freight His cas-
sock was old and threadbare, and his hat
brown, His hair fell in rather long locks
below his hat, and was beautifully white
His face was healthy looking, like that
of a man who lived much out OF doors
and his clear, quick eyes shone With
kindly light. | ran impulsively to meet
him. with outstretched hands, which be
took into his own with pleasant smile
.Oh. come, monsieur" | cried; make
haste! She is i'll. my poor Minima!'
The smile faded away from his face II
an instant. and he did not utter word
He followed me quickly to the side oi
the little bed, laid his hand softly or
tho rhild's forehead, and felt her pulse
He lifted up her head gently. and openin:
bar mouth, looked at her tongue anC
throat. He shook his head as he turne,
to me with grave and perplexed expires
sion. and he spoke with a low, solemn &c
cent.
Madame" he said. lit is the fever!'
He left me. and | sank down on
chair, half stupefied by this new disaster
1t would be necessary to stay where WI
were until Minima recovered: yet | ha'
no means to pay these people for tn
trouble we should give them. and the eN
pense we should be to them. l had no
time to decide upon any course. however
before he returned and brought with hin
his sister.
Mademoiselle ThereSe was a tall. plain
elderly woman. but with the same pleas
ant expression of open friendlineSs a
that of her brother. She went through
precisely the same examination of Min
ina as he had done.
The fever" she calculated. in muc
the same tone as his. They looked sig
nificantly at each other. and then held
hurried consultation together outside tn
door. after which the cure returned alone
Madame" he said, this child is nc
your own, as l supposed last night. NJ
sister says you are too young 10 be he
mother Is she your sister:'