Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-10-24
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A DARK DEED
By ETA w. PIERCE
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CHAPTER XVIII-Continued

"Oh, Polly, what do you suppose
Naaman did for the little Hebrew
maid, when he went back from Eli
sha's house to Syria?" shouted May
over the clamor of the others. She
was of a thoughtful turn of mind. and
was Polly's favorite.
"Set her free, of course" answered
Joe, from the door, "and gave heI
money and things, and packed her of
to her own country by express-if he
didn't, he was a mean old cad"
I'm sure his wife couldn't have
known him when he got back said
Polly, making her needle fly like mad
through the torn linen; the hard
dark, battle-worn captain, with his
leprosy all washed away in Jordan
and his flesh like a child's-that is
like Bobby's here" looking down at the
delicious pink and white face of the
youngest Steele.
Bet you a sixpence the doctors OF
Syria were as mad as cats!" cried Joe
with an extra dig at the old carpet
'I s'pose they'd all tried a hand al
him-dosed him with powders and
blue pills and castor oil, just as pa
doses folks nowadays. I'm glad Eli
sha wiped 'em out. hate doctors-all
but Cousin Dick-youn never catch
me to be one. l wonder where Dick
IS? We haven't seen him this month
or two-not since he went to Black
port. You don't think the whales down
there have swallowed him, do you
Polly?"
It's not likely, joe" answered Pol
ly, bending. low over her work.
Scarcely were the words out when q
step sounded on the stair, the door OF
the nursery swung back, and Dick
Vandine b.mself, damp but smiling
stepped into the room.
A whoop of Joy rang through the
nursery. No one had time to notice
how Polly's face changed from white
to red, and back again to white. The
children leaped on the newcomer in a
body-even little May dropped the
story of the splendid Syrian and jump
ed down from her stool. 1t was som
time before Vandine could reach Pol
", to take her kindly. by the hand.
Here you are, as usual" he said,
surrounded by these imps. How thin
you are growing! Small wonder. The
doctors plenteous progeny would
wear the flesh off a female Hercules.
Come. Joe, get down from the nape of
my neck! / was obliged to run up to
town on business today, and thought
/ would drop in and look at you all
before l took the train back to Black
port"
Polly made no attempt to conceal
her JOY at the sight of him. Her great
dark eyes shone like moons, little
color flashed into her hollow cheeks.
She even dropped her work for a FEW
moments, and it was strange thing
for Polly to do that, under any circum-
stances whatever.
Are you getting on we'll at Black
port, Or. Vandine?" she said; do you
mean to stay there?"
A cloud fell over the florid, good
natured face. He patted Bobbie's tow
head with such violence that the
youngest Steele howled.
"Oh, yes, 1 shall stay. The place is
internally healthy, but l am the only
physician there. My chances OF sue
cess are better in a town like that
than they could be in the city mere
where impecunious doctors spring up
in every street like mushrooms"
Something has gone wrong with
you," she said quietly. You look ma
rassed and out Of spirits"
He frowned. then laughed.
Great Jove! what penetration you
have. Polly-who would give you cred
il for being so keen? I'll own that
have been a little upset of late. Come
over into the window out of hearing OF
these young Philistines, then can
talk with you"
1t was strange; but, humble as she
was. he often came to her with MS
troubles. Her quiet, sympathetic ma
ture unconsciously invited his conf
preciated Dick Vandine and his Vir-
tues, Men enjoy alteration, and this
nameless Polly plainly regarded the
commonplace, red-whiskered young
doctor as a being of more than mortal
mould.
She moved now into the window, as
he bade her, and Vandine emptied a
box of bonbons on the table, and leaV-
ing the little Steeles to fight anu
scratch for the sweets-an occupation
that would employ them for a while at
least-he followed his humble admir-
er.
why is it, Polly" he began, that
always feel irresistibly impelled tc
talk to you of my Enthusiastically
when they are going all awry?"
Il don't know" murmured Polly.
I'm dashed if l can explain it my
self, but the fact remains. After all
I believe you are the best friend
have in the world"
10" she answered with a distress
ed little smile; 'oh, no, no! There
must be many people VINO Woulu lee
affronted to hear you say that
He laughed savagely.
Not a bit of it. I'm no richer IT
friends than in money. Polly I've
been and committed an outrageous ac'
of folly-the worst that l, by any pos
sibility. could be guilty off,
"Oh, dear" gasped Polly; have yor
have you got yourself in-debt"
The Steeles were always in d bt
and she knew by personal experience
the disastrous results of such inoul'
gence.
NONSENSE" said DR.. Dick. with
face as dismal as the grave; 1T:
something infinitely worse"
Surely" quavered Polly, growing
pale, you haven't robbed or killed
anybody"
He smiled grimly.