The National tribune., 1903-05-21

GAS l calculate, they're getting mighty
near due" answered her husband. Il was
was running it all over in my mind as l
| was casting up my Spring work. But as
said before, l told Jarvis to-
Don't mention Jarvis to me in connec-
| tion with those heifers," said his helpmeet
| sharply. That clumsy creature knows as
| little about them as he does about an eight
day clock. l ought to go home myself at
once, and attend to 'em, and l will, just
as soon as l can leave 81 and Will safely.
l don't want anybody but me fooling
around those heifers. It'll scare 'em to
DEATH"
'It'll take about week to get home,"
calculated the Deacon.
well, il the boys continue to mend as
they're doing, think it'll be safe to leave
| EN- in week from now, and then We'll
all go home together" said Mrs. Klegg.
Indeed, I'm not going to leave 81 in a
week." said Annabel, speaking very much
more decisively than her wont. HE can't
spare me, and l don't think it'd be right
or safe"
81 don't see why you mightn't stay right
along with ST. You're married to him."
suggested the Deacon.
"Of course l am, and my place is by
my husbands SIDE" said Annabel, with a
pretty little assertion of wifely rights and
duties. II oughtn't to leave him until he's
quite well. Mother here says that there's
always the greatest danger of relapse in
these fever cases, when the person is worse
off than ever. Mother can give me direc-
tions what to do. and I'll stay here and
look out for both him and Mr.. Elliott, and
let the rest Of you go home"
The young lady swelled herself up quite
visibly in anticipation of her matronly re-
sponsibilities.
Il think the Surgeon'll fix it up so that
that can be done," said the Deacon, feeling
that the situation was clearing up.
Il don't think you need take any re-
sponsibility as to Will, Annabel," said
Maria, bridling up the least bit. 81 feel
some sense of duty myself. He's just as
sick as 81, and just as much in danger of
relapse: He needs some one to look out
especially for him."
why, Maria, I'll take just as good care
of him as Of ST." protested Annabel.
You mean all right, Annabel," said
Maria loftily. "And you are all right
for 81. But Wills a different man. He
needs an entirely different girl. You don't
understand him, as you do Si. I'm the
only woman in the world that really un-
derstands Will. III stay here and take
care of him myself, and let Pap and
Mother go home"
"Eh?' calculated the Deacon, opening
his eyes.
Il believe it's quite as necessary for me
to stay here to take care of Will as it is
for Annabel to remain and take care of
81" replied Maria calmly. 81 think she's
right in her decision, and I'm sure I'm
right in mine. Wills life is very precious
to me. and if anything should happen to
him it'd make me unbearably misera bic as
long as l lived"
''It certainly would be awful if his sick
eehr knl H. y
all gone" said the Deacon, with ready
sympathy with his daughters views.
ITS so awful that 1 don't propose to
risk it for minute" said Maria deter
minedly, feeling that her father was COM
ing over to her side.
But, Maria, you're not married yet to
Will, and it wouldn't do at ALL" said her
mother, decidedly.
Married or not married. Will is just
the same to me-" answered Maria dogged-
ly. IF my coming here has helped him,
my going away at this time may hurt him
just as much. He certainly needs me as
much, if not more, now than he may ever
again, no matter how much we may be
married. But there's no use Of wasting
words. I've come here to stay by his side
until all danger is past, and I'm going to |
stay. You needn't worry about me. I'll |
take care of myself"
wy ucil, L We w uOuDl Ill TIE WOTiU
that you can take care of YOURSELF" ex-
postulated Mrs. Klegg. 81 sympathize
with your feelings. But think what people
will say"
They'll just have to say, them" an
swered Maria. "When the thing is i'm
Dortant enough, and know I'm right, peo-
pie can say what they please"
"Then I'll have to stay, too," said her
mother. "And Father, can't let you go
home without me-"
The Deacon sighed as he thought of his
and the Jersey heifers.
Don't suppose it'd be possible for Mr..
Elliott and Maria to get married?" sug-
,ested Annabel.
"Eh?" calculated the Deacon as was
his custom when a new and startling idea
presented itself.
IT'D be awful NICE" continued Anna
bel, in musing way, "to have another