The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1903-11-12
MRS. SALTfR'S SPELLS.

MdIN Lllcl tSdllCl anu 11SilIJ ASNoC
had been engaged for three years. The
parents of the young, people, on both
sides, were we'll pleased with the contem-
plated alliance and Henry Beebe's cot
tage on the adjoining farm was furnish
ed and ready. Only one thing stood in the
way of concentrating matrimonial in
tentions. and that was the state of Mrs.
Salters health.
Mrs. Salter's malady was known to
the neighbors as "spells," and was, pre-
sumedly, from some heart trouble,
though Just what form OF disorder the
doctor, If he knew, kept with profess
sional wisdom to himself. There were
vulgarly healthful people who gave the
spells" a sharper, less sympathetic
name and openly declared it a shame
the way Mrs. Salter imposed on her
husband, who lost SO much time rum
ming to his wife's side that his farm
was running down from neglect. AS
for Mary Ellen, these colby critical
people ayerred, it was shame to keep
her from getting married, and she with
her housekeeping outfit ready these
two years. Not every young fellow
would be as patient as Henry Beebe.
There were plenty of girls ready to step
into that new house without waiting.
But Mary Ellen was dutiful daugh-
ter and dearly as she loved Henry,
gently but firmly refused to leave home
until her mothers health showed signs
of permanent improvement. Mother
lust looks like she couldn't stand it to
have me leave her while she is so poor
". If she was to die in one of her
spells. Henry, anG me not there, l
could never forgive myself" she said.
Henry Beebe had heard the rumors
concerning the exaggerated importance
of Mrs. Salter's attacks, but he was too
loyal even to mention this to his tiancee.
But we will be so close to your mother,
Mary Ellen: l built the house on the
nearest corner on purpose, though 1t
was twice as hard to get water there
You know | would never hinder you
from waiting on your mother. A half
mile is no distance"
Mary Ellen shook her head. LET
.us wait till fall. Fathers crop will be
harvested by that time, and DR.. Hur-
vey thinks mother is apt to grow better
in cool weather Maybe you had bet,
ter give me up anyway" she added
With pathetic little smile.
Henry Beebe took his sweetheart in
his arms. They were standing at the
edge of the orchard where they could
see the waiting cottage. There isn't
any other girl in the world for me, nor
ever could be- I'll wait for you till I'm
gray headed, if | have to. No other
woman but you is going to sit on that
front porch, and keep plants in that
bay window, and don't you think 1t for
a minute"
Martha Beebe was Henry's maiden
op ha who did not
wholly believe in the seriousness OF
Mrs. Salters illness. Martha had
means of her own, and was fore
handed and thrifty as any farmer in
the neighborhood. 1t was well known
that she was unmarried from choice,
for she was woman of good sense and
feeling. One day at the quilting there
were the usual covert illusions to Mrs.
Salters peculiar malady. Pm no doc
tor" said Martha Beebe, land don't
believe in doctors much but I'll war
rant | could cure Mrs. Salter in one
treatment"
why, Martha Beebe," rebuked little
Mrs. Burkett, latter she's been doctor
ed Tor wears, and the bottles and bottles
of stuff she's taken"
That's Just the trouble; if she'd let
that patent stuff alone. The Lord only
knows what is in it, | believe Mrs.
Sa!ter's ailment is in her head more
than her heart, and if | ever get a
chance I'm going to try my remedy,
anyway. No, I'm not going to tell
what it is she added with a slight
flush, "a doctor don't give his secrets
away"
Tie opportunity came sooner than
was expected. While the company
were quilting the hired boy from Sal
ters rushed in hatless and breathless.
Say, Mr.. Salter says can't some of you
women come over right away? Mrs.
Salter has been took bad, and nobody
there but him. Mary Ellen has gone
into town." he cried.
Martha and Mrs. Burkett got into the
spring wagon and hurried Immediately
to the afflicted one They found the
patient laid out on the bed, enveloped
in quilts from head to foot. Her mouth
was Imply open, and her eyes seemed
fixed on far away corner OF the room.
Mr.. Salter, the very picture of mascu-
line helplessness, was tanning his wife
with wheeZy Japanese fan that was
split in two pieces. Martha Beebe took
instant charge of affairs.
Well look after her now, Mr.. Sal
Ter, she SAID. - GU mao DeCJ6T go anu
see about them young heifers; they
have broken into the alfalfa, we motto
ed when we were coming in, and they'll
make themselves sick.
She felt under the heavy quilts for
Mrs. Salter's heart. TO her unpractis-
ed touch there seemed to be nothing
abnormal about the beating OF that
organ. But the sick woman's clothing
was wet with perspiration, and Martha
laid two of the quilts back. "She's got
enough cover on to kill a we'll woman!
But men amt got any feeling" she ad-
ded.
Mrs. Burkett looked at her uneasily.
"Oh, she can't hear thing now,"
Martha went on confidently, eve could
go right on talking about what every
body is saying about her, and she
couldn't hear word! Hand me that
fan off the mantelshelf, Mrs. Burkett.
OF all fool things To fan sick, meb-
be a dying woman, with this thing!
But it's just like him.
Mrs. Burkett gasped.
81 think if man has got weakly
wife he needn't show he's tired of her
so plain that the neighbors talk about
it, continued Martha.
There was an almost imperceptible
movement of the inert body, and
twitchin of the wide-open, staring eyes.
HCf oourca' Martha went on Hit