The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-09-04
MISS MILNE AND |.


Mrs. carpenter walked 10 the Deu-
side. and taking in hers the thin hand
of the patient. in the kindest tones
implored of her not to talk like that,
but to let us do what we could for
her
but l don't want you here; didn't
send for you. Why can't people mind
, their own business"
l beckoned Mrs. Carpenter to join
me on the landing outside.
What is to be done?" she said.
do you know her. DR.. Rigby?"
81 know her very WELL | replied;
III fact. | may almost say | owe my
life to her. She nursed me through
long Illness"
But what has happened to her? IL
she mad?"
mo. don't think she is mad. and I
don't think she is sane. But will tell
you more about her some day. We
ought to be seeing now what we can
do for her-that u.s. IL anything can be
done: but you will find it exceedingly
dfficult; bringing her food is simple
thing. but making her take it is a
different one. | warn you that girl will
&c everything in the world to starve
herself and her infant. It's very I'M
fortunate that should have been sent
for; of course you know I like to
come, but I am certain you will do
nothing with her with me in the
room; the girl has a great horror OF
my seeing her in this condition. Didn't
you see how she drew away from
me-"
Eyes, noticed it and wondered
what it meant"
wi oil RI /
think the wisest course to follow
would be this: | will leave her-she
needs no medical care-and send you
at once as good a nurse as can get
about here. some food and wine from
my house. and a few old things in the
way of clothing"
To this suggestion Mrs. Carpenter
assented. and on my road home |
called upon the only woman | could
think of as available. She was
widow. a Mrs. Best. who, although
better than the majority of her class.
belonged to very distinct and very
low natural order. l must pause here
q moment to say one word about this
order. | had christened them the
vutures" They were very common
in every street in my district and.
presume. in all parts Of London; not
necessarily widows, though widows
predominant; not necessarily drunk
ards. although they have great
weakness for "Old Tom"
found Mrs Best at liberty and
very glad to undertake the duty. |
told her rs much as but no more than
was necessary of my relationship with
Miss Milne. found afterward that
what had told her was just enough
to awaken her wOmans curiosity. and
on the basis of her surmises she built
coniectures and theories that in after
days gave me much trouble.
81 want you, if you WILL" | said. Ito
take the entire charge Of her; pay no
regard to any remonstrance or pro-
test: get food for her, and make her
take 1t. AS to the child. it's wretch
ed specimen. but do what you can IL
save It, | will meet you each day at
II at the street door"
The first day that | met Mrs. Best
she told me that Miss Milne had
neither eaten anything nor spoken to
her.
shes a rum woman" she said,
land l thing she's trying to kill her.
self: but the child's all right"
The second day | learned that Miss
Milne was in the same condition. and
on the third day Mrs. Best did not ap-
pear at all. / just caught sight OF her
as entered the street; she was peep
ing round the corner of the door.
watching for my coming; the moment
she saw me she withdrew her head
and disappeared. | was waiting at tho
bottom of the stairs, wondering what
should do. when a woman who lived
opposite came over to me.
"Is it Mrs. Best you wanted to sec.
sir?" she asked.
"Yes-why? Do you know where
she is?"
She's upstairs, sir: she went but a
moment since. Shall | run and fetch
her"
thanked her, and. although knew
that her only motive was her wretched
curiosity, was very glad of her help,
for / was very anxious to hear some
thing of Miss Milne. In few moments
she returned, followed by Mrs. Best
The moment she appeared | saw why
she had not kept her appointment.
she was wearing one Of Miss Mines
snowy dresses, and the color of her
cheeks showed the consciousness OF
her guilt
II couldn't come down before, sir"
she said, ''for the lady is not so well:
she's raving. think you ought to see
her"
| thought a moment, and decided to
commit her to the care of medical
friend of mine. It was utterly use
less for me to try and do anything for
her. | had little difficulty in securing
his help. and promise to report In
/ the evening as to her condition. In
the evening he came and told me that