The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-01-17
BY R
@Ns@~qf~sSasQh~sSz
Woynghi. laas. hr D AppIelsn & oa1
CHAPTER xVll-contlnued.


Miss Cameron? Is that your" the
Feice she heard was trembling with
excitement. "This is Joe Balfour.
Mrs. Ashton is here. at the House Of
the Samaritan. suffering from a slight
attack Of smallpox or rarioioid. She's
doing splendidly. IN no danger what
ever"
Anita's knees gave way: she
dropped the receiver. When she
caught II up again Joe had gone.
"Oh. Mrs. Chaudroni Affect" she
shouted. and started to run At the
foot Of the stairs everything suddenly
became dark-and peace came.
What is Il. dear?" When Anita
opened her eyes Mrs, Chaudron was
bending over her. and Celeste.
I'll think I stumbled
Poor child, you must get some
sleep@"
No. no" she sprang up; shes
f0undl she's foundi she's well! Mr..
Baifour found her at the House OF
the Samaritan" Then Anita rushed
up the stairs to Alice with the glad
news
Il was scarcely half an hour later
when Mrs. Chaudron, Alice and Anita
alighted from their carriage in front
Of a small red building that stood
in one corner Of the hospital grounds.
The pest-house itself. with its great
gray gables shrinking back among the
trees. no visitor wa permitted 10
enter.
Joes cab was still waiting at the
gate. Baker chung ~nervously 20 the
iron fence, glaneing onee in awhile at
the door.
Another cab dashed up to the curb:
chaudron and Vance sprang out be-
fore II stopped. The man who had
been clinging TO the fence caught
sight Of them and lodged around the
corner.
Hurry. Mr.. Chaudron Alice
begged. please open this gate"
Anita pm. her arm about the impa-
tient girl
The instant the gate wa opened
Alice broke away from Anita. ran up
the walk. climbed the stone steps. and
Miss T%hibodauX. the head nurse, con.
fronted hes in the door
MY mother. my Alice gasped.
"Yes. my dear, come in" Miss
Thibodaux nodded pleasantly to Mrs
Chaudron. and drew Alice into the
hall Or. Andersen is with your
mother; be will be here presently.
Good morning. Mrs. Chaudron. Mr.
Chaudron"
How Is Mrs. Ashton2~ Felix Chau.
dron asked.
Tho calm-faoed woman smiled. a
confident competent smile that gave
Alice a world Of comfort
Mrs. Ashton Is doing very nicely
indeed. thank you. Mr.. Chaudron
Come right in here Don't be un-
easy, miss. your mother SIS getting well
just as quick as ver she can"
Where Is mother? / want % see
her" Anita insisted.
fhp doctor viii be here presently "
Mics Thibodaux parted the question
Moodiord Vance passed on and en-
tered the small reception-ro0m luto
which Miss Thib0daux had pointed
them. Now, that the strain was over.
and The excitement. he felt a consum-
ing curiosity 10 know how CHS slu-
Euiar faa'o had some about
he stepped into the room alone.
There Was q man standing az the win
dow a RAJ very much -preoccupied.
gazing across the hospital yard.
Something familiar about the attitude
caught paacc's eye. He looked again.
took q quick step forward. aud
stopped. Il was the same man whose
brlcf and active acquaintance ne had
made ih Pedro's Place.
Vance hesitated ia the doorway as
N lighting down a desire 20 90 over
and catch hold Of the mans arm again
Just 10 see what would happen.
While he was still standing In the
doorway Anita passed IN behind him.
and be heard her smothered exclama-
tiOn. "HDeli"
Tbe man turned slowly from the
window, as II annoyed AZ the iutru-
sion. lie saw Anita; his face lighted,
and be. came across the room.
Mrs. Chaudr0n and her son had
stopped Ia the hall with Alice. and
wsre talking 20 the nurse.
Duke walked straight TO Anita
without peroelving the stranger
other people were nothing TO him.
She aaw that HE cyes looked neither
70 thu right nor lefl. be did not see
Vance; and Anita feared that be
might say soneihi indiscreet
"Rif Duke. % Is mir. Vance
size said, quietly
Duke glanced with purely formal In
iercgt AZ the str-nger, stopped abrupt.
ly. gnd-Yance laughed.
ebhi' Anita looked from one 70 the
other IN sreat surprise: ~y0u knew
zach other2 / thought-
owe did rot know ehch other; We
moi accidentally once Vance cor.
ieriti wife such eood7natured
niiree ,fri nuFe's hrs twisted them