Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-02-10

coolly. Then rapidly. succinctly and
clearly he went over the case and laid
out a course of treatment. Out of il
all Lee deduced that her mother was
very Ill indeed, though not in danger
Of sudden death.
"She's on the chute" said Fessen-
den. "and everything depends upon her
own action whether she takes the
plunge this winter or twenty years
from now. She's a strong woman. or
has been. but she has presumed upon
her strength. she used to live out of
doors, she tells me. during all her ear
ly life. and now, shut in by these
walls, working sixteen hours a day,
she is killing herself. Get her out II
you can and cut out stimulants."
AS he rose and approached the coun-
ter Lie showed couple of gold pieces
across the board THAT wipes you
Off my map" she grimly declared. II
hope you enjoyed your ride"
ITS up to you. madam" he replied,
pocketing the gold Good day.
"Tll be down again in a day or
two" called Redfield.
The machine began to pur and spit
and the wheels to spin. and Lee Vir-
ginia was left to face her mothers OBJ
stinate resistance alone. She felt sud
denly very desolate. very weak and
very poor. What if mother should
die" she asked herself.
Gregg was standing before the coun-
ter talking with Lie as Lee returned.
and he said. with broad smile, I've
just been saying Id take this hotel
off your mothers hands provided you
went with it,
In the mouths of some men these
words would have been harmless
enough but coming from the tongue
Of one whose life could only be OBJ
scurely limited at the jest was an in
suit. The girl shuddered with repul-
sion, and Lie spoke out:
Nov. see here, Bulfrog. I'm dead
on the hoof and all that, but neither
you nor any other citizen like you can
be funny with my girl. She's not for
you. Now, that's final! She amt your
kind"
She turned to Lee. Pm hungry.
Where's that grub chart of mine"
Lee brought the doctors page of
notes and read it through, while her
mother snorted at intervals: "Hah!
Dry toast, weak tea, no coffee, no al
cohol. Huh! | might as well starve!
Eggs-fsh-milk Why didn't he say
boiled live Holsters and champagne?
l tell you right now I'm not going to
go into that kind Of a game. If die
I'm going tt4 die eating what ] blame
please"
The struggle had begun. With des-
perate courage Lee fought, standing
squarely in the rut of her mothers
daily habit. You must not hive up
here any longer" she insisted. You
must get out and walk and ride.
can take care Of the house, at least
till we can sell it,
1t was like breaking the pride of an
athlete, but little by little she forced
upon her mother realization of her
true condition, and at last Lie con-
sented to offer the business for sale.
Lee longed for the presence of Ross
Cavanagh at this m0A.4,, Ehen all
her little world seemed tumbling into
ruin, and almost in answer to her word
less prayer came a messenger from the
little telephone office, Some one wants
to talk to you
She answered this call hurriedly.
thinking at first that it must be Mrs.
Redtield. The booth was In the little
sitting room of private cottage, and
the mistress of the place, a shrewd
little woman with inquisitive eyes.
said, Sounds to me like Ross Cava-
nagh's voice."
Lee was thankful for the booths pri-
vacy, for her cheeks famed up at this
remark, and when she took up the re-
ceiver her heart was beating so loud
1t seemed as If the person at the other
end Of the wire must hear it. "Who
Is it, please?" she asked with breath
less intensity.
A mans voice came back over the
wire so clear, so distinct, so intimate,
it seemed as if he were speaking into
her ear. 1T is |, Ross Cavanagh. l
want to ask how your mother is
"She is terribly disheartened by what
the doctor has said, but she is in no
immediate danger"
He perceived her agitation and was
instantly sympathetic. Can / be Of
use? Do you need me? If you do I'll
come down"
where are you?'
II am at the sawmill, the nearest
telephone station"
How far away are you?"
About thirty miles"
"Oh!" She expressed in this little
sound her disappointment, and as it
trembled over the wire he spoke quick
ly: please tell me. Do you want me
to come down? Never mind the dis
'tance. | can ride it in few hours"
She was tempted, but bravely said:
NO; I'd like to see you, Of course, but
the doctor said mother was in no dan
ger. You must not come on our ac-
count"
he felt the wonder of the moments
intercourse over the wilderness sleeps
and said so. you can't imagine how
strangely sweet and civilized your voice
sounds to me here in this savage place.
1t makes me hope that some day you
and Mrs. Redfied will come up and
visit me in person.
II should like to come"
Perhaps it would do your mother
good to camp for awhile. Can't you