Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1907-03-07
Stone elaeulated. ~wnere on ear,l

1t come out that he'd been over TO
he old Torton mill Saturday. him an
The Dale girl. an when the storm come
up they took shelter In that little cabin
where them nIggers lived that ulster
tend the mill. You know the old man
lied o the smallpox. They've put Jim
In the little shack on tother side o. the
creek from Brlscom's. where he'll stay
I'LL they can have him took to the
Plainville hospital. Mis- Brlscoms ter.
rible fraid he's give II Ia some q them
already."
Mary Ella had listened with wildly
beating heart. Who's going to take
care OF him." she asked. huslsiiy.
DR.. Elwell. He'll be guaranteed
I'LL he can be sent to the pest.house."
To the pest.house!" gasped the girl.
To the pest.house! Alone. without q
living soul to know or care whether
hs lives or dies!"
IT'S hard" her father agreed. But
no one In Rockville's had the smallpox,
a. II wouldn't do TO risk leavin' him
In that shack plum alone. cause the
doctor says he's 4 powerful sick man"
Land sakes, I'm glad you're goin'
on. Mary Ella" said her careful
mother. "You always did ketch every.
thing that went round"
Mary Ella finished her packing me.
chanically. with her anxious mother
lowering constantly near. for that
worthy lady was secretly uneasy. She
urged her daughter 10 leave the last
trayful To her. You run over an bid
Rose Saunders good.by. like you prom.
ised." she advised. an bring her home
10 stay oil night with you"
Mary Ella obeyed submlssively.
When she reached the fork Of the road
a sudden shower prompted her to take
temporary refuge in the school house.
The young teacher sat In her accus.
toned place on the platform talking
earnestly with Luna Dale. but the
scholars had gone.
Isn't II terrible about Mr.. Don.
nely!" said the teacher. In an awed
voice. as she drew up chair for Mary
Ella.
And to think that was in the same
danger!" Miss Dale exclaimed, with
SILVER Of fear.
You surely are not going to let Jim
be taken to the pest.house?" Mary Ella
broke out. sharply.
Me! What can | do" asked the
other girl. In blunt amazement
You can nurse him through the
fever"
Are you crazy" asked Miss Dale,
''or do you think | ann"
Don't you love him." Mary Ella de.
manded. sternly.
Love him? Do you suppose any
sane girl would run the risk OF being
disHgured for life, even If she did love
Q mani"
Yes: woman that truly loves q
man wouldn't think of anything but
his safety"
We'll. don't mind telling you that
I'm not that sort Of woman" said Luna
dale. Il like Jim Donnely well enough
10 do lot for him. but when It comes
to risking my own life and good looks
| draw the line"
Mary Ella did not wait for the
shower TO pass. She set out briskly
toward the forest path leading to the
3rscom farm. She crossed the foot.
log spanning the rushing, roaring
creek that divided the orchard from
the pasture bottoms. with its little log
shack now topped with the yellow flag
of danger, to warn struggling way
larers of the lurking death within.
The girl crossed the threshold and en-
tered the sick room before either Of
its inmates saw her Then DIR. Elwell
turned with wrath in his eyes.
What ON earth do YOU mean, Mary
Ella Stone?" he cried. in stern aston
ishment. Don't You know Jim's got
the smallpox"
Mary Ella went straight to tn bed.
side, and laid one cool hand on the
sick mans beating wrist. You're not
going to the pest.house. Jim." she said.
quietly. I'm going to take care of you
here"
Jim's burning glance searched her
face in mute unbelief, for her presence
appeared for the instant to be q part
of the dark illusion which was slowly
and inevitably closing about him.
You're going right straight home as
fast as you can go." cried the scandal
lied doctor. Don't you know that
you're in danger Of injecting the whole
neighborhood?"
Yes, Mary Ella. think OF the dan.
ger!" echoed Jim, huskl1y.
And don't you see that it's impossi-
BILE for you to stay here?" objected DIR.
Elwell, angrily.
do you think I'd let Jim go OF to
die among strangers for the sake of
what people will think?"
"Lord!" cried Jim, brokenly. Mary
Ella, II was well. and should beg you
to forgive me for-for everything.
would you-would you marry me?"
The girls lips quivered for an In
slant. 'T'll do that now" she an
swered, simply. But, Jim. don't
II