The National tribune., 1903-05-07

|
| room.
few little Strengthening touches to the
| blankets and pillows.
Shorty looked with timid, wistful eyes
| at Maria, hungering for her to do the
| same
No, no; not now" she said, with a
roguish smile.
Why not now?' he pleaded. "Now's
when l want it."
| Not before Pap and Mother, and all
these people," -.- 9aE ~
But Annabel just kissed ST."
y es; but that was different"
How, different?'
why, they're married.
| eS, that's sO," he answered detected
ly, as the thought of the immense differ
ence his position and that of his partner
overcame him. Then he rallied little
But you done it n little while ago, and
before all these people, just the same
| That was quite different"
How quite differeut?"
You were awful sick then, and 1
couldn't help it."
We'll. L hain't got such a mighty sight
better since"
Now, that's nice way to talk, after
all that Mothers done, and my being
here"
yes, I'm heaps BETTER just on account
of seeing you," he FASTENED to contradict
himself. $50 -.. H.. 10.
That's right. That's the way to talk"
But I'm going to be awful sick again,
unless you do. l feel it coming or me-
No, you're not, you bad boy" she said
positively. You're going to get well as
| soon as you can, so that we-well-be-
cause love you," she concluded a little
lamely.
And will We get married? You're going
to marry me-! he gasped, with his thin
face lighting up in ecstacy.
You haven't asked me yet. Girls usual
ly wait till they're asked" she said de-
murely.
Maria, come along at once. Don't yon
remember the Doctors Orders?" called
Mrs. klegg: Her punctiliousness in carry
ing out directions had endeared Mrs.
klegg TO the medical profession.
Miss Maria-Maria Klegg, do You love
me-. Will You marry me-" pleaded
Shorty, sitting bolt upright, in his over
whelming gladness.
There, there" she cautioned him. Lie
down again. Don't talk so loud. Every
body in the room will hear you. See,
Pete and Sandy are looking this way.
Remember. little. pitchers have long ears"
''Alaria!' repeated Mrs. Klesg, in a
tone that even that imperiOus young lady
never disregardedsj
.'Yes, Ma" Maria answered, dropping
Shorty's hand. 4. 'non't be silly, now Will.
What do you suppose came all the way
down here for?s she added in a whisper
to Shorty. Il am a woman, and l knew
you loved me. wouldn't have let on that
loved you in return if-well, if / hadn't
been afraid you'd die before you found it
out, so now" and she hastened after her
mother. w1I-
. Now, Maria, .admonished her mother.
when they were, outside, II won't have
you staying minute over the time the
Doctor sets. fIOu must obey orders.
There's no sense in not doing it. Wen
have plenty of time to be with the boys
That's what were down here for"
y es, 70 Ma. replied Maria meekly.1s.
Lets go in and get breakfast" said
Mrs. Klegg. Father is waiting for us.
| feel as hungry as a wolf. You girls may
get so interested in your sparkling as to
forget your breakfasts, but I'm free to
say l amt that kind. Don't think you'll
be, either, after you're married % years"
Eyes, Mother. I've been impatientiy
waiting for you,' said the Deacon, coming
out to meet them. He had given himself
an extra fixing up" in honor Of the oc-
casion, and had his hair combed and
reached to the last exactitude. .'It's a
great pleasure to sit down to breakfast
again with yOu and the girls, and Otter
bein Kramer has taken unusual pains to
get you up 4 fine breakfast. It's as good
| meal as man can prepare, but, of
course don't approach yours. Mother No
mans could-or womans either, for that
matter"
sThank you" said his helpmate.
Otterbein Kramer, who had been pro-
NOTED to the culinary chefship of the Sur
geOns mess, had exerted himself to spread
before the ladies' a most attractive break
fast.
White earthenware cups, saucers and
| plates, obtained from somewhere and
about the getting of which no questions
were asked, and few of the pieces matched,
stood at the ladies' places, while the rest
Of the guests had to be content with the
tinware of field service. A silver fork
| and spoon, and an ivory handled knife, OBJ
tanned from equally mysterious sources.
| were at Mrs. Klegg's plate, and fine
| though less aristocratic ones for each OF
| the girls.
The Surgeon. clean shayen, with fresh
| linen, his boots polished, and his green
! sash on. and his carefully brushed con,
buttoned to the chin, appeared, and led
Mrs Klesg in to the table
why, Doctor; you are all dressed up"
commented the Deacon.
Certainly. Why not!' answered the
Surgeon. why not, when we are honor
| ed by the presence of ladies' from home?
| We can do no less. 1t is events like these
| that lift us from the savagery of the past
months, and make us feel like civilized be-
| ings again. This would be a brutal world.
| il it were not for these angel visits. We
Nlift ourselves up in doing all honor to the
ladies'. Besides, the worst of our work is
| past, and we have time to attend to the
decencies of life while our patients are
getting well. l am expecting more COM
pany. DIR. Brooks. my Assistant, is CON-
! ing on from Savannah, with his wife.
whom he married on the March Through
Georgia"
Il think 1 know him." answered the
Deacon. Il met him i'm Savanny, when
was there and 81 told me about the odd
| marriage. His wife belongs to one of the
| first families Of Georgia. and the marriage
| came about in a peculiar way. / think
| she is not so Young as she once was"
Father" said Mrs. Klegg reprovingly,
"a woman's age is not to be charged
! against her." tisle
II know it. Mother said the Deacon.
| alphabetically, Especially when, like your
| self, women getd better as they grow
| Older az
(Which nearly all women d." remarked
Mrs. Klegg cOmplacently walking toward
the door. MY, but that coffee smells
good" she continued. Your man certain
! ly knows how to make coffee. lie has
u