The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-01-29

seemed to be straighter than ever
$50 it's yon. is it," she said as Jack
extended his hand. Who is this per
son with your she added as she
glanced at the figure Of Whit. covered
with red mud and hatIess.
"Oh. say. Aunt Fanny. be easy.
We've had an accident This is my
best friend. Mr.. Winthrop Miller. He
fell overheard. and we've come over
to see if you won't take us in for the
night until his clothes get dry.
Where's Uncle Will? He'll under
stand"
'Your uncle is in town, and Belle
and l are alone. Blood is blood. and
you cannot deny your own. I'll take
you in for your mothers sake" whined
Aunt Fanny as she opened the door in
anything but a welcome manner
.Neyer mind about me, Aunt Fan
n.y." cheerily answered Jack as he saw
the door open for them. But Whit
must get dry. He's caught a dreadful
cold, fear"
HE doesn't look exactly frail.'' sug
gested Mrs. Beal as she glanced at
Wints somewhat ample proportions.
However. come in and go up to your
uncle's room. l suppose you will leave
this evening. You know we have no
spare room," she added lest they
should avail themselves of a nights
lodging.
Whit did not leave that evening nor
for many, many evenings thereafter.
At 5 o'clock that afternoon the doctor
was sent for. He looked at the flush
ed cheeks and the parched tongue.
He listened to the wheeling breath as
it came so hard and shook his head.
I'VE must have a nurse at once.
Mrs. Beal. The man is very sick. He
must have care or he will die. l will
send nurse and will call again later.
Good afternoon" and the doctor was
gone.
For weeks Whit lowered between
life and the great beyond. No one en-
tered the room but the nurse, the doc
tor and Isabelle Beal, Jacks cousin.
She relieved the nurse. and sometimes
even the doctor would call her in to
give a few directions. Jack came
down every day or two. but never was
allowed to see his chum. Slowly the
big man made his fight. slowly his
eyes lost the CLASSY look. and finally
the day came when the nurse was no
longer needed Isabelle could manage
with Jacks help at night.
81 say. nurse said Whit one day as
Isabelle sat reading to him. I'm glad
that other nurse beat it. / like you
better
put you know I'm not really
nurse at all. Mr.. Miller" said Isabelle
IS she blushed at the inferred compli-
ment. 'I'm Jacks cousin-Aunt Fan
ny's daughter, you understand. But I
love Jack. and I'll do anything for his
friends" and she began to read again.
Don't let's read any more" said
Whit. "Just let's talk. / don't care
whether you're really truly nurse or
not. II like you cause you're you,
| dressed like white man she won't
think I'm such a terror. l certainly
| did look like a day laborer out of a
job the afternoon l landed on the front
porch"
81 know" said Isabelle as she laugh
ed heartily and laid down the book.
at must have been so funny. Moth
er's terribly proper, you know"
Days went on like this, and Mrs
Beal was gradually won over to the
enemy's camp. Every one who knew
Whit Miller loved him-loved him de-
spite his careless, hapless ways, for his
kindly spirit and other things, but
mostly because he was he. In the days
that followed he had many nurses, as
all the family took turns wheeling him
across the room so that he might bask
in the sunlight, but his happiest hours
were when Isabelle was in charge.
One afternoon as she patted the pill
lows at the back of his chair and left
a glass Of milk at his elbow he caught
the hand that had brought so many
comforts to him durineAlis illness.
won't you stay litee longer, Miss
| Nightingale?' he pleaded as he hello
tightly to the hand. Pm so lonely in
the twilight. Wait until Jack comes
He's due in few minutes now if the
train isn't late-please."
"You old silly" said Isabelle as she
sat on the window ledge with the
shadows encircling her.
II wish you knew more about me,
said Whit. II wish you would ash
some of the fellows if I'm not a decen
sort. You see, I've something to say tt
you, but / can't until you know mt
better. 1t would be like taking an un
fair advantage"
ooh, but l know all about you al
ready" she said gayly. Jack and
talk about you all the time"
He reached out and pulled her lit
tie closer.
/ I'm clumsy old thing, as Jack al
ways says, but there's nothing yer.
bad about me, and don't play thi
sick trick very often. You wouldn'
care for life job of nursing, would