The St. Louis Republic., 1902-12-21
CHILD OF CHRISTMAS !Ss BY JOEL 51 GH?aR q! s99. n4an 1ss
PART II.
PART II.
u where did the disease come from.

/ But where did the disease come from:
How did poor Nan take the infection?
II was the wonder OF long day. until II
was discovered that Peter Valicombe. who
had been i'll in his room for several days.
had the same disease.
You may we'll believe the people were
properly indignant that such a malignant
distcmper should have been brought among
them.
There, was some pretty hot talk by those
who had small children but Doctor Ran
dolph Dorrington, who. If anybody, was the
one 10 complain, took it all as a matter of
course.
He took prompt measures to isolate the
two cases. securing for that purpose va
cant dwelling on the outskirts of the town.
1t was d tunbled-down old place, to all
outward appearances. but the interior was
al! that it should be.
Bat after the patients had been removed
fat which the doctor accomplished un-
aided and alone. he was confronted by the
most serious difficulty OF all.
Who was to nurse Nan?
And II Nan found nurse. who was to
nurse poor Peter Valicombe?
1t was a very serious matter: and while
he was sitting by Mans bed. trying to solve
the problem. he heard a light step in the
hall The next moment in walked little
Miss Johns, as cool as a cucumber and as
fresh a daisy.
oh, but this won't do cried Dorrington,
Zspherine started to Mans bedside.
You must get right OUT he commanded.
His voice was stern and Indignation sat
on his countenance.
But If | won't" she said with smile,
what them"
ha nE bar haf II tba
bedpost, placed her bundle of clothes in
chair and went and leaned over Nan. who
was in a raging fever and rather tiighty in
her mind.
She placed heI hand on Mans brow and in
a few moments the child ceased to mutter
and throw her arms about.
Now what you think" said little Miss
Johns turning to him with smile of tri-
umph.
Why. 1 think you are very silly" he re-
piled very angriIy.
She was sitting on the side OF the bed. but
she rose as suddenly as if he had slapped
her. her face red as fire.
Il think you''-she caught herself. and
then her face became very pale.
Il have shame for you" she said, all
trace OF Indignation gone. Il have shame
for any one who does not want his sick
child to have the attention OF her friends"
Well. then. if that is your feeling, 1 can
nurse the other-Monsieur Valicombe.
Where have you placed him.
He is in the room across the hail. But
why do you come here?
What business have you here? Have
you thought OF the risk?''
You have no need TO take off my head"
she replied.
IF 1 say what think. it will make your
ears burn.
60 get me some-some-what you call
this grease that is on the pigskin when it
has been in the smoke
Angry as he was. Dorrington was COM
PEELED to laugh at this description Of bacon
rind. and his smiles made Zepherine ansrier
than ever, for she was very sensitive ABOUT
her ignorance Of English.
II don't care If you get It or not!" she ex-
claimed.
But the doctor made haste to do as he was
bid. feeling that he was in no wise response
BILE in the matter
When he returned with the bacon rind
Nan was sound asleep and little Miss Johns
was in the room with Mr.. Valicombe, and
the two were rattling away In French at a
terrible rate.
Doctor Darlington went in there, after
looking at Nan. but neither one paid the
slightest attention to him
He might have been in Halifax. so far as
they were concerned. Finally he asked Mr..
valicombe If he didn't think that he was
talking too much for a man in his condi-
ticu.
IF twas in English-yes.'' replied Peter;
'but in French-oh, no!
1T will Rake me we'll.
"Oh. am much better at once" And 1t
seemed to be true.
1t fortunate for both the victims OF
the infection that they had little Miss
Johns to nurse them, and 1t was even more
fortunate that this young woman had been