Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-10

But John Shil, as he listened to her
disconnected rawlings, did not under
stand. In fact he hardly heard the
words, and certainly did not try to
make sense Of them. All his thoughts
were occupied with the terrible and
embarrassing position in which he
found himself and he was more con-
cerned about Laura's present condi-
ton than about anything else she
might have to tell him.
He knelt down by her side and tried
to comfort her; but she shrank and
shuddered at his touch, and the tor
rent Of words still came from her lips
broken, incoherent words inter
spersed with fits of weeping and
laughter.
Then at last the words grew faint
er, and the sobbing less violent and
at last both died away into silence
Laurie" said John Shil tenderly,
laying his hand on her shoulder. She
did not move or answer him. Laurie"
he repeated "let me carry you back
to the cottage"
She made no reply, and he shook
her gently.
Laurie he cried piteously, my
dearest
Then he picked her up from the
ground and looked at her face. Her
eyes were closed and her skin was
white as paper She lay limp and
helpless in his arms. He laid her
down again on the grass, and, running
quickly to small pool, filled his cap
with muddy water and dashed the
dirty liquid in her face. He did this
again and again, but she did not open
her eyes. He placed his hand against
her heart; it fluttered feebly and IT.
regularly.
ooh God!" he cried aloud in his
anguish, ''if she should die And for
the moment the awful thought came
to him than God had interviewed in
this manner to save them both from
sin. "Give her back to me-" he cried
again, 'and will not take her till she
is Free"
And then, as if in answer to his
prayer, Laura opened her eyes and
looked at him. But there was no
recognition in her look. She stared
1 past him at the sky.
Laurie" he said softly, my dear
est Laurie, / will take you back now
to the cottage. You want rest, dear.
Will you let me carry you?"
She did not answer him, but still
gazed at the sky.
Then great fear seized him, and
STOPPING down, he picked her UP in
his arms and climbed the bank to the
path. She did not resist, but a few
incoherent words came from her lips
and she stared vacantly at sea and
sky and marshland.
When he reached the cottage with
his burden he encountered Mrs. Dow
sett.
Lord help us!" she cried with a
look of fear on her white, dull face
What be it, sir; what be it?'
Miss Vane has taken ILL.," he re
piled. "She has tainted I'm afraid
it is serious. Pm going to place hel
in your hands, and you must nurse
her. I'll pay you well for your trouble
two hundred pounds if you will look
after her and keep your mouth shut.
'Take her upstairs, SIR" the woman
answered grimly, land don't talk o.
money now. Poor thing, poor thing
I mistrusted the look in her eyes"
John Shil carried his burden up tt
) the clean, plainly furnished room, ant
laid it on the bed. Mrs. Dowsett fol
lowed, carrying a small bottle O.
some greenish-white liquid.
where is your nearest doctor?" hi
asked sharply.
; "Gorehaven, sir
How long will it take to ge
; there?"
"'Bout two hours in boat
Cant you get there by land?"
"No, sir; leastways, not in tina
time"
"Well, your husband must take mi
round at once in his oyster smack ant
: I'll bring doctor back with me-"
, He's down the creek, sir"
well" said John Shil, ''I'n rov
down and fetch him. Do all you can.
tive drop of medicine here, sir,
. she replied, holding out the bottle
"'Tis powerful good stuff for fever"
Fever" exclaimed John Shil. "Mis
Vane hasn't got fever"
CAY, SIR" the woman replied witt
, look of wisdom. "All our ills com
from fever. IT'S fever she has, poo
> soul, and it's reached her brain"
what is the stuff" he asked. 'Di
! doctor make it up?"
: "Doctor?" the woman replied with
, harsh laugh. mo, sir, doctors ain
! for us on Conasea, save In childbirth
, or death, or such like. We brew tn
!. stuff ourselves, as our folk have don
, since time began. Made of mars
. herbs it is, sir-good, honest stuff
. This be the home of the fever, an
nature alters grows remedy close t
hand"
: "Well, I daresay it won't hurt her,
. he replied impatiently. do all 20
} can, and I'll do all I can for you il
t return. am going now to find Dow
, sett."
2 He gave last glance at Lura, VIII
I still lay motionless on the bed wit
| wide-open eyes, and then left tn
( room. He could do no more tina
fetch doctor, and yet, perhaps