Oxford eagle., 1903-10-08

and nurse him, and bring doctor.
you didn't come out strong enough
on it's being catching" said the cap
tain, In despair.
Indeed. / did, sir" said Mr.. Hogg.
wringing his hands. "and she says: I'll
nurse my poor Henry IL he has all the
plaques of Egypt.
At that moment tall, reddish-haired
young woman and a slender man with
spectacles on his nose walked on deck
and asked for the captain.
The two officers sheepishly descended
from the bridge and approached the
couple.
"oh, captainl" erted the lady, "is
Henry worse?"
He's no better" replied the cap
I've come to nurse him, and have
brought DOCTOR" exclaimed the lady.
Take me to him."
Some sicknesses are catching" said
the captain, hesitating.
"Orful," chimed in Mr.. Hogg.
I'm not afraid when Henry's life 10
in danger" she persisted. Take me to
him."
The two officers, with perturbed coun-
tenances, led the way below, and the
lady pushed the burly man on guard
away as If he was of straw.
Henry, are you very sick?" she
asked
Mr.. Smiley caught the glowerlng eye
of the captain, and said, feebly. that he
felt very i'll, which was not far from the
truth, as the mixture of oil and beef
tea was not having pleasing effect.
Il have come to nurse you, Henry"
she said, "and have brought the doc
tor to examine you"
Mr.. Smiley turned very pale as the
doctor stepped forward and asked him
to put out his tongue Then he tapped
his chest and asked him to draw deep
breath.
Good HeavensH exclaimed the doc
tor, with concern; 'let me feel your
pulse.
This is very serious" he continued,
placing his ear to where Mr.. Smiley's
heart was supposed to be.
What's the matter?" asked Mr..
Smiley in cold sweat of terror.
Where does this young mans family
reside?" asked the doctor, with solem-
nifty.
rs there something the matter with
me?" asked the engineer. piteously.
Am going to die?"
BE quiet, poor fellow" said the doc
tor, sadly.
Capt. Pray. with pallid face,
dragged the doctor from the stateroom.
DO you mean to say he's sick?" he
asked, hoarsely.
HE may be dead before morning" !"
replied the doctor.
He was well enough little while
ago."
MY dear captain, some illnesses come
like the fash of a gum replied the doc
tor, 'but haven't given up hope. We
may save him."
Il suppose you've plenty of tar on the
ship
Lots" excitedly replied the captain.
Make two large plasters and place
one on his back and the other on his
breast" said the doctor.
'1'll do it," asseverated the captain.
The doctor then persuaded the young
lady to go home, as the patient was In
good hands, and they left.
1t was bad night for Mr.. Smiley, as
between the tar plasters and the large
doses of cod-liver oil which the captain
insisted on administering at intervals,
he had much to bear, but the next morn
ing the doctor reported him as better,
but not out of danger.
The captain accompanied the doctor
on deck, and. pointing to the spouts
which were emptying the grain into the
hold of the steamer. said, earnestly:
See here, doctor, I've got to sail to-
morrow and | can't sail without an en-
gineer. Is it likely Smiley will be able
to be up by Tomorrow
MIR Smiley" replied the doctor, has
remarkable disesae. 1t comes quick,
and either kills or goes as quickly.
Thanks to your knowledge and prompt
use OF cod-liver oil, think he will be as
we'll as ever he was by tomorrow
The next morning when the doctor
boarded the Grimsby the assistant en-
gineer had steam up, and everything was
in readiness for start. He hurried be-
low. and, examining the engineer, said:
"You can get up, Mr.. Smiley. You are
entirely well, but you have had narrow
escape. Here's a letter for you''
While the Grimsby was steaming down
the bay, Mr. Smiley read by the sunlight
cleaning in port the following let
ter:
Dear Mr. Smiley: l never intended
marrying you was racking my brain
for a reason to break it off when heard
of your treachery, and resolved to scare
you. so | sent that letter by the pilot.
When Mr. Hogg came with his story
of your sickness, l saw through it and,
with medical friend, gave You little
scare You were not sick in the least.
but you were awfully scared hope the
tar will stick longer than your prom
ises. Yours forgivingly.
MAGGIE"