The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-10

about digging a drain. he heard the hoofbeats of a horse. and looked up to see a woman riding toward him. Thinking her a stranger to the vicin- tty and unaware of the danger. he threw up his arms in preemptory motion for her to go back. But the woman. in turn, made ge4ure of dis sent and came straight on. As she dropped lightly from the horse his sharp reprimand was stned Tn an amazed:
 "Ethel-Miss wilgoss!"
 "Dr. Cameron! in an equally amazed voice from the woman's lips.
 Yes. How came you to this placer He drew himself together sharply.
 But never mind that now. Mount your horse and get away from here quick! I must not touch you, for this fs d hole of pestilence, of death, and I'm part of it. Hurry! for Gods sake!"
 Ethel wflgoss smiled.
 "I know about the valley, doctor" she cried lightly. Tt is the cause of my being here. A report came to the hospital that there were no nurses in the valley, and but one country doctor. so l started at once. But I never dreamed the country doctor was you. thought you were studying somewhere in Europe" NO" grimly the money loss of which I wrote you made me give up that, and I came here instead. It Is strong, hard practice, and to my liking, though 1t is not renumerative. But don't understand your allusion to a hospital. What has that to do with you being hereT
 T graduated as a trained nurse from v.. and inlled nursing in the hospital ever since." An eager light flashed into his face. and he took a quick step toward her. What, did you loose your money | too?' he demanded. hoarsely. But she was removing her saddle bags from the horse, and did not mo- | tice.
 "No," she answered quietly. But grew tired of society and wanted to be doing something. Now if you will tell me where I am most needed l will commence work at once." His face regained its calmness. Tt hardly matters" he said. Every cabin has its need. You can go to any of them l will look after the horse."
 Dr. Cameron had not slept much dur ing the long weeks of watching and working, and the strain was telling on even his stalwart frame. But his work was now beginning to show. The set clement was clean. for the first time in its history; water was not used from any of the polluted springs. but brought from farther up the mountain side: the inhabitants themselves were cleaner, with evidence of their cloth ing being washed. and the cabins were now thrown open for the entrance of air and sunshine.
 Then one day, after all this was &C., complished, pr. Cameron sent hurrid- | edly for one of his assistants. But the new nurse came instead. Her face had grown white under the strain
 and now in her eyes was a compre- | hension of this new terror. Bpt there
 was no shrinking in them nor in her | voice."
 | You have 1t. doctor?" she asked. | Yes, for some time. I have kept ur | as long as l could. I need not explain
 about the medicines. You know theii | uses. The people here will help you l some, but 1t will be hard-hard. Thert | are still a dozen patients who need
 your care. Great God. why must
 give out just now?'
 l He drew a long, shuddering breath
 then added simply: There is nothing
 but for you to do what you can, Ethel | Neither of us may ever leave the val
 ley. And-and I will say now what | never would under other circumstances | If do not get over this, and you do, II want you to remember I loved yo,
 as a strong man can love but once fl
 a lifetime"
 Why did you not say so before, Ar
 thur?" almost sharply. Sometimes
 thought I saw 1t in your eyes. but yo,
 never said a word; and then you wrot,
 that note about your money, and tha
 was all"
 Yes. all--that an honest man coult
 do. You were immensely rich, Ethel
 and I with only a very small compe
 tence. When that went I did the onl,
 thing left me to do. It was hard"
 And cowardly." she interrupted
 You did not consider me. Money 1,
 such a little matter. But never mint
 that TOW, dear" her voice suddenly
 softening as she saw his face. w,
 must not let you think any more.
 will get you some medicine" | Two months later they were stand
 ing upon the hill which overlooked tn. | settlement. There was no longer dan | ger of infection. and Dr. Cameron hat | sent for his horse. and the nurse hae
 hers. He was still very weak but tn, old look of endurance and determine | tion was coming back to his face.
 So now we part again. Ethel" h,
 said slowly. You to your hospita
 and I to my country practice"
 'No." with a slight catch in heI
 voice." l shall go with you. Arthur | even without the asking You neet | me more than the hospital"