The San Francisco call., 1903-01-11

To say that The little French shoemaker
vas 1.auLItI 10 Zepnerine would fall far
short o. the truth He took il for granted
that she was a-gsi in the shape of a
woman sent specially 10 relieve him from
pain and 10 drag him back TO life, and he
conducted himself accordingly. Not d
Sunday afternoon passed that he dfd not
stroll out TO Shady Dale 10 see her. He
came and went so quietly that Mr.. San
ders was moved to say that be went about
as II he we're 2 nake OF thistledown-
II was during one Of these visits that
Miss Johns took occasion to tell Mr.. Vah-
combe why she had come 50 far from
home She told, also, OF her father; how
he had gone away from home, and how
she. too. had come away to find him.
Some day. she said. she would be able to
go &c New Orleans. where she knew her
dear father was. At THIS Mir. Valicombe
shrugged his shoulders. as Frenchmen
will. and told her that New Orleans was
a very large city Whereupon Zepherins
shrugged her shoulders, too, and the ges-
ture was very cunning. saying that no
matter how large the town might be the
good God would enable her TO find her
dear father.
But as the cooler weather drew on there
came a time when the visits Of Mr.. Vail
combe ceased. This was very pleasing to
Nan DOrrington. who was a little jealous
Of the Frenchman. Since her illness sne
was more devoted to Zepherine than ever.
And Nan was more beautiful than ever.
There was not a mark on her face to
show that she had ever suffered from
that terrible disease, and It was all owing
TO Zepherine.
And yet, between Mans father and
Zepherine a terrible state Of affairs ex-
It, ~
vial MI Sanders. and in part to the mis-
understanding that had arisen when
Zepherine had made her unexpected ap-
pearance as volunteer nurse. When
Zepherine returned home Mr.. Sanders
was the first TO greet her, and his greet
ing brought the blood to her face.
why, hello. honey" he exclaimed;
I'm mighty glad to see you lookin' so
well. They tell me that you frailed out
the doctor cen about as soon as you got
in the door Of the pesthouse. Well. I'm
mighty glad TO hear it; he's been needin'
somethin' of that sort for long time
'Fraill What is frail?" inquired Zeph-
crime. albeit she had dim conception Of
her own that it meant a dispute
Mr.. Sanders laughed.
Il bet you that Randolph knows what
II means" he replied. 'an' you couldn't
a-whaled a chap that deserved it more
''Whaled? Oh, 1 don't know what you
mean"
Zepherine was forced to fall back on
Sarah Clopton for an explanation. When
the explanation was given il quite took
Zepherine's breath away.
"Oh, l was rude to him" she said,
weeping little and blushing a great deal
But how could I 90? He was also rude
He would drive me away when l go to
take care Of his own child"
why. my dear he didn't want you TO
catch the disease" Sarah Clopton ex-
planned.
But If catch it, what is that to him."
cried Zepherine. with some show of in
dienation IF he have it. 1 won't take
care Of him-unless-" She paused and
gave Sarah Clopton swift glance.
Unless what?"
Unless you Nan want me to 60
there"
The older woman regarded Zepherine
with a curious smile. and she continued
70 smile after the girl had gone for her
embroidery frame.
Whatever the smile may have meant, IL
had no effect on zRpherine, for whenever
Dorrington came TO Shady Dale. which
was often. the young woman promptly
disappeared, and was seen no more until
after his departure. More than once he
had made inquiries about her. and on one
occasion he said he wanted to see her for
the purpose OF apologizing for his rude
ness
Why, / hope you haven't been rude to
the child. Randolph" remarked Sarah
Clopton when he mentioned the matter.
She thinks that she was rude to you
We'll, only properly So / was irrltat-
ed when she came into that house. but
not for long. I soon found that she
knows more about the treatment Of small
pox than / do. She threw my medicine
out Of the window and refused positively
TO follow my directions; and yet Nan
tells me she's the timidest, gentIest little
thing in the world. I'm sure l don't un-
derstand her at ALL" Later, when Sarah
Clopton informed Zepherine that the doc
tor had made inquiries for her. she raised
her eyebrows in establishment.
For me?" she cried.
"Yes: he said he wanted TO apoloKize"
replied the older woman dryIy.
"Apologize to met exclaimed Zepher-
ine.
We'll. poor man; II he know nothing
OF smallpox and know not who should
spcIoEize he must have a deep trouble
somewhere. ] am quite sorrowful for
him" Whereupon Sarah Clopton renewed
the dry smile with which she had regard
ed Zepherfne on a former occasion. This
time. however, Zepherine saw 1t and
seemed 10 divine its import. "oh, now
YOU are laughing at mel! she cried,
blushing violently. Il am very foolish;
/ cannot tell why your DR.. Randolph
cause me TO be so out OF temper all the
time. day and night"
why, he's not nearly 80 important as
that" replied Sarah Clopton; hes moth
ing but a great, big, blundering, good-na-
tured man."
Zepherfne tossed her head and her eyes
flashed well, I wish ] could some