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

but to let us do what We could for
her.
But don't want you here; didn't
send for you. Why can't people mind
their own business?"
| 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 we'll" | replied;
III fact. | may almost say | owe my
life to her. She nursed me through a
long illness"
But what has happened to her? Is
she mad?"
NO. | 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 is. if anything can be
done: but you will find it exceedingly
dfficult bringing her food is simple
thing. but making her take it is
different one. I warn you that girl will
90 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 | like to
come, but | am certain you will do
nothing with her with me in the
room; the girl has great horror ct
my seeing her in this condition. Didn't
you see how she drew away from
me?"
Eyes, noticed it and wondered
what it meant"
"If you will allow me to suggest.
think the wisest course to follow
would be this: | will leave her-she
needs no medical care-and send you
at once as good nurse as | can get
about here, some food and wine from
my house. and 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 a very distinct and very
low natural order | must pause here
q moment to say one word about this
order. I had christened them the
vultures" 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"
I 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 sIilne. I found afterward that
what | had told her was just enough
TO awaken her woman's curiosity, and
on the basis of her surmises she built
conjectures and theories that in after
days gave me much trouble.
II 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 it. As to the child. it's wretch
ed specimen, but do what you can IT,
save 1t. will meet you each day at
II at the street door"
The first day that I met Mrs. Best
she told me that Miss Milne had
neither eaten anything nor spoken to
her.
She's rum woman" she said,
land | 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 aD-
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 the
bottom of the stairs. wondering what
| should do, when woman who lived
opposite came over to me.
us 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
moment since. Shall | run and fetch
herr"
| 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. 1t was utterly use
less for me to try and do anything for
her. | had little difficulty in securing
his help, and a promise to report in
the evening as to her condition. In
the evening he came and told me that
although Miss Milne had no symptoms
OF illness that in other people would
be serious, yet he was very doubtful as
to what the result in her case would
be.