The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-06-05
By Nj. c. E,UEsToN.

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phone receiver with jerk. Mr.. Ale
several days." he added, turning to wher
Natalie stood. pulling off her gloves.
'Ill?'' she echoed blankly. 'Ill?" Is I
anything serious2 Who telephoned?'
DR.. Porter; he didn't say what the trou
bic was. bat It would take more than
headache TO keep the boss at hoNe. II
has been working like all possessed lately
you know"
Indeed she knew-who better? Had sn
not seen him there in the harness da
after day, anxiously watching him gros
haggard and worn under the extra strail
which n sudden break In his staff had pu
upon him? Had she not longed. mutely
TebeiliousIy, to be able to lift even littl
of the load from his overwhelmed should
.ers7
Mechanically she sat down at her desk
trying to begin her work. There was
mist before her eyes, an inexplicablc luml
in her throat. and instead Of her papers
she saw before her the EDITORS strong
aelf-contalned face. Was he being wei
cared for, she wondered: was everything
possible being done for him? Even Whi!'
she realized the absurdlty of such ques
fions, they persistently required to her.
or Mr.. Aliens private life she knew M
1etai!: In the office she attended strictly
IN her business, and outside of 1t hat
1lo intercourse with any Of her associate!
there. From chance remarks which Mr.
Alien had made she knew that he had beer
through the mill, attaining his recent po
sitiOn, while still young man, by the
most persistent sort Of hard work.
"Ob. I've shaved and starved, and all the
rest of IT, he told her once. half-jestlng-
w. but there was 81 ring of truth through
the lighter strain that made her vince
Daily she had marveled at the power OF
the man; his alert, decisive mastery of
emergencies; his ever-ready courteous ap-
,preciatlon; his patient, tactful handling
OF tho innumerable nameless worries, the
never-ceasing, varying demands that go
to make up the sum of an editors ex-
,tstence. were all revelations to her
Ills uphill fight had not embittered him
or made him unmindful of the struggles Of
others. When Natalie, utterly inexperl-
r0nced, came to him, he held out helping
hand, showing her Kindness where she had
expected rebuffs, considerations wherever
consideration was possible. She thought
that oil editors were like him. and could
mot understand why anyone should try to
41i8suade a. girl from "breaking In to
newspaper work. Nothing that she could
over do for him could adequately express
her gratitude
30 this morning she. pulled herself to-
8ether and went to work with VIII; now.
III ever, was the time to put forth every
effort, that their EDITORS part Of the great
I news machine might be kept in smooth
working order for him. There was little
rrest for anyone In the office that day.
Late In the afternoon the doctor tele-
fphoned again. Mr.. Allen, he said, was
worrying greatly about his business, and
someone from the office must come to
bin, and he sure to say that everything
was all right, as the patient was In no
condition to he disturbed about anything.
The assistant looked around perplexedly.
I'm afraid ! shall have to ask you to
Eo. Miss Spencer" he said. II simply can't
spare one of the men"
Natalie succeeded In yelling the eager
mess OF her assent. How glad she was to
go; to see for herself just how he Jared.
and have her tormenting doubts dlspelled.
@&l5 When she reached Aliens residence DR..
Porter admitted her, saying that the fam
shy was away. 5 ~
-'As luck would have It. 1t is even his
mans day out, and he would not hear of
! the fellow staying at home with him. Hell
!. ktn himself vet trying to be kind to peo-
j ple,'' fumed the little doctor, who was
Aliens friend as we'll as physician.
You think he is very liz" Natalie fall
tered.
He will need considerable care" was
ssthe Doctors non-committal reply, as he
i led Natalie into an inner room where Al
len lay tossing restlessly, his eyes un-
naturally bright his face flushed, his
angers pulling nervously at the coverlet.
Although he managed to speak with some
.of his wonted aIertness. Natalie's watch
sful eyes detected his suffering.
1t was a shame for them to trouble
you to come to me, Z" was his first remark.
A Then he listened with satisfaction to what
#she had to say, ana told her clearly and
concIsely what he wished done; but the
strain told, As she left him he sank back
very Imply among the pillows.
He will rest for d time now" DR.. Per
ter sid. when Natalie rejoined him. still
4 4 hate awfully to leave him alone
You arc going. too?" Natalie asked
s,iakly.
.sss,shy, don't see how i can help IT
There ls one patient whom really mus
ssee--the others could wait have SEN
&Efora nurse goodness knows why she doe!
mot come.s irpatiently pulling out hi.
watch.
II stay here TIL she does COME SAIL
Natalie promptly.
you're a little brickf' exclaimed tn,
.foctor delightedly. Il was Just wonder
ang II I might ask you. will be back ii
1ialf an hour anyway, and probably TIL
slurse will be here before that" and, afte
giving her q few directions, he hurried
z away.
Returning to the sick room, Natal
clipped Into a chair near the bedside, sit
ting quietly till Allen began to toss an,
i Snoan. Then she bathed his hot head wit
soTne cool stuff the doctor had prepared
Gle opened his eyes for moment, loolkin
u vonderingly at her, then lay still again.
When he woke once more he saw he
>still near him In the dim light. AZ
sNataliel ]" he said breathlessly.
She did not move or answer him, be
I Viewing him to be only half awake.
si Natalie" he repeated Fam dreaming
or. Is 1t really YOU r. There was no mis-
taking the eagerness In his manner. Th
Blood surged to Natalie s cheeks at til
nound OF her name on his lips Could h
/ know what he was saying, to be thus cal
zrg hsr BY name?
DR. Porter Ind to leave so / am stas
N NJ sypn Ill he returns. she said III
@Eteadiiy. i.
only wish that you would stay 70,
Il ever! he m,1rmured. Natalie! My M
q ,xaliei II catching her hand, and pulling III
i: down till she sat on the edge OF the be
do you know now much love you?
never thougl t before that you cared an,
thing for me, but YOU seem different i
might. DO sou love me Natalie % captu
&SE her other hand. /, 81 AZ
Natalie's heart beat tuinult uously: ho
should she answer him? Did he real
mean this and for her
Angwer me. n att 10 compelled the i
tent voice from beside her. Well II