The Monte Vista journal., 1906-08-11


l was half frozen an hour ago. and l
made the nurse put this heavy SUM.
Der robe over my nigntdress and my
bedroom slippers on my feet. And
! saw tears N Aunt Alice's syes-l
don't know why.
had been burning up with fever
and parched with thirst. had been
III so long-neariy three weeks. Sine
ought to be glad to see that fever
leave me. l should never be better
while Il STAYED.
Now here I am on the street. and
I don't see how 1t happened. l must
have walked In my sleep. They
have watched me 30 closely. too
How 10 II they did not see me go!
Aunt Alice has hardly been out OF
my sight for the past week, and one
nurse or another was. always there.
must look odd in my slumbsr robe
and slippers. but III keep on In the
shadow, and nobody will notice. OF
course. cannot stay out long; but 1t
IL so good to feel the fresh air once
more.
I feel 20 well-so strong! No more
fever. NO more aching body and limbs.
know I never shall be III again.
Something worried me 4 great deal
before was Ill. Indeed. I think 1t
made me Ill. but I can't remember
what Il was. 20 II does not matter.
Nothing worries me now. and feel
20 light-so happy!
Oh. that muddy crossing! l'u sure
~ vet my feet! I'll pick my way
over: I don't want to 90 homo Just
yet. Why. what frightened that
horse! Was II my white dress! How
he rears and piunges. and now he
has boited down tAe street. But
am safely over. I must have grown
thin while was Ill. for have stepped
% lightly ! did not leave . track In
the mud. and my slippers are quite
dry.
Here comes our nextdoor neighbor.
with her nobIs Eaglish mastia. Rex
b such . fine dog. and he and I are
great chums. Last night heard him
howling-something unusual for him.
doat know what his mistress will
think to see me out In this dress.
Without . hat. Good evening. Ars.
Vinceot: I'm % glad to BE- out again!
She does not answer. yet she must
have seen me. Perhaps she did not
recognise me. But then Rex would
not let me pat him. but howied and
ran away. Surely the dog would
know me. even II she did not It's
very curious: ! can't understand II.
Oh. there's the doctor with his ~.
sistant. and he's driving II = furi.
oas rate. Can II be Aunt Alice mas
sent for him! I'm afraid 30: and
How ! must 90 straight home. for they
have missed me.
Here comes Judge Stilweli and bis
nephew. the young artist who paint
cd my portrait last year. thought
h would be . dreadful bore; but
Aunt Alice wanted Il. 20 I sat to
please her. and I was really sorry
when he finished. had not
seen him since. I waited. but he
never came. III let them pass and
then follow. for he must NOT sss me
In this drcss. They are following the
doctors and ! can hear them talk.
ing.
she has been III for several weeks.
II was some sort Of low fever. She
was not thought to b 10 Q danger.
Gus condition untii . few days ago:
but ] heard this morning she was
very low. and they feared she would
not last through the day"
That's the old judge. What would
hs say II he knew the sick girl vas
walking closs bshind himi But {
didn't know ! had been In DANCER Of
death.
II an greatly grssved and sur.
prissd TO hear II. shc vas the very
picture of beauty and health whsn
paintsd her portrait"
That's willis Vernon. the artist.
Nov the judge 10 talking:
"Ths doctor drove By st the top
q his spssd. and turned up The street.
whees she lives. That looks - it
there had bssa . change Of some
kind."
Suppose vs walk up there and IN.
Quirs. ! should b. very sorry to
hear"
why shoald his voice fAitsrf He
never cared for me. and ny heart
broke vhsa ] iouad that out. That
was What made Ne III. rsmembss
BOW. I vast 10 laugh. bst Tn Afraid
tAsy vii hsas. How perfectly ab-
ssrA b tAiak that I should dssi Ths
judee hooks q him . nomsat aAd
tAsa oays: