Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-10-01
BY JEAN KATE LVDLVI
I'LL z n 2 n. - ~.

think | do not know something ails
my father more than you have said?'
The bedroom door opened noiseless-
~, and DR.. Grey came out. AS he
stepped into the room, closing the door
behind him, DR.. Dunwidd!e motioned
for him to return, but he shook his
head emphaticaily.
He's like log, Hal; the trump of
the archangel alone could arouse him.
I've stuck to him day and night like an
obedient puppet; now want a
change; what's all this going on out
here? What ails you people?"
DR.. Dunwiddie frowned. and his
voice was almost sharp as he an
swered:
There is nothing going on here to
} interest you, Tom, and Mr.. Johnson
must not be left alone one moment
II you are tired, will take your place
until"
until it's over" the other inter
rupted. Lord knows l wish it were
we'll over; it's a dused bad piece of
business, anyhow, and l wish 1 were
out Of It,"
He was stopped by a gesture from
DIR. Dunwiddie. Young Green also
turned on him with flashing eyes.
Dolores seemed turning into stone;
her face was whitening, and her eyes
| dilating; her voice sounded strange
even to herself as she laid her hand
on the doctors arm as he was passing
her.
you will not go until you have an
swered me, Dr. DunwiddfeT'
1t was more. a command than a
query; her eyes were full on him, and
he paused instinctively.
Her uncle spoke impatientIy; like
all men, he disliked scenes; this girl
seemed capable of getting one up at
| almost any moment.
my dear Dolores" he said,. Dora
is waiting for us. Why do you bother
the doctors?" They know much bet
ter than we do what is best to be done.
Come, like a good girl let us go; we
are only hinderlng the Others"
why should l hinder them?" she
asked, gravely. "They are strangers
here; he is my father"
I
| '+Of course, Dolores. We all know
that, but they know much better than
we do what is best to be done. Dora
is waiting for you-it is better in
every way for us to 60"
She stood erect and slender among
them, her print gown falling around
her to her feet, her face catching the
shadows of the storm upon it.
Did / not say" the voice was al
most solemn in it's grave earnestness,
that I will not leave him-ever-
while he liYes-not for any one?"
/ None of them spoke for a moment;
not one of them was capable of de-
ceiving her as she stood so grave and
quiet waiting his reply. That she had
a right to know, better right than
they, could not be denied. She had
spoken the truth; she was a woman
capable of enduring much, of suffering
much; she was not child to be put
off with evasive replies.
DR.: Grey stood at the bedroom door;
he had not moved since the girl spoke;
she impressed him as she impressed
| the others. Young Green looked trou-
bIed; he started as though he would
go to- Dolores, and checked himself.
| Even DIR. Dunwiddie was somewhat
disquieted; he looked beyond the girl
otu Of the opposite window.
They waited for him to speak; the
| girl knew he would tell her; the 9th
ers were sure he would do what was
best. AS his gaze left the window and
he turned to Dolores, he caught the
look ON young Green's face. His own
cleared instantly; he was himself
again, grave, practical, thorough ply
stefan and gentleman.
my dear Miss Johnson" he said
he was grave, courteous; her eyes did
not leave his face-searching, steady
| eyes-"when your father fell--fully
twenty feet it was-he struck the
ledge with great force; had he dropped
it might scarcely have hurt him,
though it is evident that the ledge
below is rocky and the bushes scrub
by and sharp; as it was, he lost his
balance and slipped down suddenly
with force wonder did not kill him
outright.
"As 1t Is, he broke both legs and an
arm, besides internal injuries which
cannot be determined upon al once
She watched him steadily instinc
lively she knew he had not told hel
all. Her lips were white, and set in 1
straight line. Mrs. Allen crossed ovel
and touched her hand, but she PAID
no heed to her; she was waiting t
know the worst
you know how he was brough
home, continued DR. Dunwfddie. "Yol
were the one who found him; to yol
he owes his lifeyou ana Charlie. Hi
right leg was broken below the knee
we set that and his arm yesterday
bus his left leg
His voice was steady and grave
Mrs, Aliens face was blanching; hov
J the girl would take It she did no
, know, she was used to many affectinI
} scenes, but this was totally different
r.