The Red Cloud chief., 1910-07-14
CHAPTER xll.-Continued.

'T reckon YOU bettah come in Mis-
1nncs," he said speaking cautiously.
IT'S got so dunno what to do, and
it's boun to come out some time er
ruther."
He threw the door open then, and
stepped inside, Halscy close behind.
In the sitting room the old negro
turned with quiet dignity to llalsey
You bcttah sit down. sah,' he
said "Its "A place for a woman, sab.
Things were not turning out the
way iialsey expected He sat down
on the centcr.table. with his hands
thrust in his pockets, and watched
me as | followed Thomas up the mar.
row stairs. At the top a woman was
standing, and second glance showed
me il was Rosie. She Shrank back "a
little. but | said nothing. And then
door, and went In.
The lodge boasted of three bed
rooms upstairs, all comfortably fur
nished In this one, the largest and
airiest a night lamp was burning, and
by its light | could make out Il plain
white metal bed. A girl was asleep
thore-or in a half stupor, for she
muttered something now and then.
Rosie had taken her courage in her
hands and coming in had turned up
the light II was only then that
knew Fevernushed, i'll as she was,
/ recognized Louise Armstrong.
stood gazing down at her in a
stupor OF amazement. Louise here
hiding at the lodge. i'll and alone'
Rosie came up to the bed and
smoothed the white counterpane.
II am afraid she is worse tonight
she venturcd at last. put my hand
on the sick girls forehead. Ii was
burning with fever, and | turned tC
where Thomas fingered In the hall
way
VIII you tell me what you mean
Thomas Johnson, by not telling me
this before" | demanded Indignantly
Thomas quailed.
Mis- Louise wouldn't let me-" hC
said earnestly. Il wanted to- She
ought to "a had doctor the night sh,
came, but she wouldn' hear to 1t. Is
she very bad Mis- lnnes?"
bad enough | said cOldly. Sen,
Mt lnncS up"
Halsey came up the stairs slowly
looking rather interested and incline,
TO be amused. For {, moment he Coult
not see anything distinctly in tn,
darkened room; he stopped, glance
at Rosie and at me, and then his eye
fell on the restless head on the pi
low. think he felt who it was befor
he really saw her; he crossed tn
room in couple of strides and ben
over the bed.
"Louise!' he said softly; but sh
did not reply, and her eyes showed Il
recognition. lIalsey was young, an
illness was new to him lie straigh
ened himself slowly, still watchir
her and caught my arm.
shes dying, Aunt RAY" he sa
huskily Dying, Why, she doosr
know mel"
"Fudge!" | snapped, being apt
grow irritable when my sympathi
are aroused, she's doing nothing
the sort-and don't pinch my arm.
YOU want something To do, go a
choke Thomas"
But at that moment Louise rOus
from her stupor to cough, and at
end of the paroXysm, as Rosie laid /
back. exhausted. she knew us. I'll
was all Halsey wanted; TO him c.
sciousness was recovery, He dropr
on his knees beside the bed. and tri
10 tell her she was all right, and
would bring her around in a hur
and how beautiful she looked-only
break down utterly and have
stop, And at that l came to
senses, and put him out.
This Instant" ordered. as he h
itated. And send Rosie here"
He did not go far. He sat on
top step OF the stairs, only leaving
telephone for a doctor, and getting
everybody's way In his eagerness
fetch and carry. got him away fin