Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-22

got all the CHduCeS. WISH Couiu Gay
as much for the cases down by the
mills"
Before midnight Miss Wilton was
out of her head. DR.. Bently found her
playing with the string of pearls, talk
ing to it's component parts and occas
ionally fondling it. "You--you won't
take it to give JANET" she asked in
fearful whisper as the doctor bent over
her. Janet would sell it, but we won't
let her"
She fell into drugged sleep, with the
pearls huddled under her cheek. Janet
watching, also slept. fitfully, but heard
neither sound nor stir.
Morning found Miss Wilton raving-
and the pearls gone. Janet hardly gave
them thought-all her thought was
for the sick woman Two days, an
other night, half the next day she sat
by her, battling with fever, with dc,
drum. Complications had developed
there was pneumonia. Though others
came and went, ministering and help
ing, Janet did not leave the sick room,
save for the briefest spaces until the
crisis was safely passed. Miss Wilton
clung to her even in the widest min
"
eyed when the doctor looked up at her
to say with his finger on the thready
pulse:
Young woman, we've won-by the
help of the Lord
Then she felt like fainting, like cry
ing, like screaming, but instead. she
dropped down, white and weak, her
hands over her face. She crept away
to sleep long heavy sleep, and aWoke
remembering the pearls.
They must be found. They were
surely still in Miss Wilton's apart
ments-no sea-sprite could have been
cruel enough to snatch them while a
sick woman and her watcher slept
But as the days slipped by, each
bringing Miss Wilton health and heal
ing, Janet grew more heartsick.
Search as she might she could not find
the necklace. Doctor Bently saw that
sem ething was amiss-what, he could
not discover He watched Janet mar
rowly every time he came. Miss Will
ton, in turn, watched him-and drew
her own conclusions, She was more
than ever beautiful with the transfg-
uring fairness Of convalescence, but
she did not realize it.
The day she sat up first, fully dress
ed. and the doctor had come, she said
to Janet. Come here! Fetch my
pearls. I want them-and you
"Why do you want them?" DR.. Bent
ly asked quickly. Over her shoulder
he had seen the panic in Janet's eyes.
ITO give to your wife-you will
marry Janet" she said TREMENDOUSLY.
"You deserve her, Archibald. 1 wish
you joy" x
"Sorry-but I don't want her-don't
want any other woman SO long as you
are above ground. Phemy," DR.. Bently
said. taking her thin hand in his.
Her eyes closed, great tears welled
from beneath them and involuntarily
her head slipped to his breast. But it
rose almost instantly. I-I-there is
something" she said, pressing her
hands hard above her brow. ooh. re-
pearls! l put them in
that old vase, the very last thing be:
fore drifted out Of myself. Take
them down, Janet, and tell me they
will console you little"
Il don't need any consolation" ia
net said, darting toward them, the ,dus-
ty pearls cascading from her hand.
Even if l wanted your Archibald
I'd rejoice to give him up-but for the
shock he gave you you might never
hive remembered-and l should have
had the name Of"
mo, No! Never" Miss Wilton and
her lover protested in breath.
Janet stayed to hear no more-lov-
ing them both so we'll she was glad
to leave them to their new-Old love.