Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-07-24

as ID is goodness KNOWS. added bise
sympatheiically.
Go ahead aud taunt me" Frowled
Ahner Ia a muffiei voice from the en-
vironment Of his diSarranged clothing
There" said the doctor finally, fas-
tenlng the last band aud rising 20 his
feet Now we must keep him warm
He ought 10 have couple Of blankets
and three or four bedquilts on top Of
him"
"Sereny," observed Abner a few
moments later. peering out from be-
meath a mountain Of belclothes like a
rabbit peeking from under straw
stack. II don't feel like ! was very
long for this world. I'm a half cured
ham covered with mustard. feel
like a moldy old sandwich" He turn
ed his face toward the wall aud
grOaned.
"Oh. Abner." said Miss SImklns
cheerfully. do try and bear up. Alb
ner!"
"And. Sereny." he resumed weakly
when they take them poultices often
L
ever saw. I'll he so lurid that | won't
dare TO go home for fear of givin' my
children the scarlet fever"
There there" crooncd Miss Simkins
cheerlly; don't you go to worryin'
about them children, Abner."
He turned and looked at her tender.
ly. "Sereny," he said would you
really like To look after 'em-alwaysi
| Would you care TO marry He
paused suddenly and rolled his eyes
! like one In mortal agony. His breath
came I'm gasps His mouth was wide
/ open.
Fire. Fire" he roared suddenly
| trying desperately To push the covers
off. I'm ablaze from one end of INT
to the other. l'm IA ragin' conilagra-
ton. In Just three minutes there won't
be nothln' left of me but bed OF
Goals. I'm suiferin' spontaneous com
! bustion. tell We, Won't somebody
please put me outT'
Miss Simklns wrung her hands In
fright. "Oh, DR.. Lavender" she cried.
"Oh. Mr. Elet! DO something for
hin, can't your
-"MebbS I'd better throw bucket of
water on him" said Bige. "Mebby Ia
better turn IN n fire alarm"
"Consarn ye" grOancd Ahner. 81
want We 10 take them things often me
spinal column together already. and
the soles of my feet are clingiug to my
kncecaps like stone hruise TO boys
heet"
BE there any bllsters on ye?" asked
DR. Lavender
There's inst one" snorted Abner,
but It's bigger than a barn door, aud
I'm right In the middle of It."
TOO bad" said the doctor solemnly
when plHsters take effect as quick rs
that IL shows his nervous system is n
total wreck" He opened his medicine
case. took out bottle. shook 1t aud
held it between him and the light,
I'm afraid mum" be resumed sad.
ly. I'll have TO give him Il dose OF
this. after all. hate to do II, but It's
the only chance left us" He poured
little into spoon Abncr was
watching him with forid but anx-
ious face
at may cure him. num-" he re-
sumed gravely III II does be will be
well man In ten minutes. but II II
doesn't. mum, 1t will kill him deader
than nit
, Abner clutched the bedclothes con
vulsively. He tried to speak. but he
could only gurgle like cider pouring
out OF jug, and a cold sweat broke
out all over him.
"N.n-uo" he gasped, throwing OF
, the covers and sitting up on the edge
. Of the sofa, II won't take it, There Is
nothin' ailin' me but just plain foolish
ness. came here TO court Sereny, and
when | saw Bige Ellet comm hid IL
= the smokehouse, But I'm goln' home
, now. amt goin' to ask Sereny 10
= marry me. | wouldn't ask any woman
4, TO marry a conSarp'd idjit that'Il let d
couple of heartless heretics make a
p dogratted Ounce of him
: But want to marry you!' cried
> Miss Simkins. laughing and weeping
by turns. Il don't care IL you have
I been offered up as burnt sacrifice
I You've passed through the fiery fur
mace triumphant and I'll marry you II
o you say the word. Ahner'
/ She put one arm around his mech
. AMI rested her head affectionately
upon his shoulder,
$ Ugh" groaued Abncr. twisting hi,
p face into a horrible grimace II low,
i We. Sereny. and I'll marry We. but.
please don't piller your head on tha
n poutice, Sereny."