The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-10-15

! NeVer mind the coin!" he laughed
fouse need It more'n me, | CUES.
! Better let the doctor take II: YOUR
a'goin' ter need ter call him I'M Ye
{ seem all to the good, even il yer b
d~agOes!"
You're a gentleman" exclaime,
Hill, holding out his hand. Man,
thanks for your kindness. You seen
very happy. May | ask why? l SHOULD
ike to congratulate you"
oh! 1t amt nothin' much" said tn,
cabby sheeDishly. 81 amt goin' Il
be married, thet's ALL"
Wherewith he was gone. and Hill
without stopping to ponder upon the
content of this odd reply, set himself
TO carrying Nita up the stairway. Al
the first landing he stopped and
knocked. The door was presently
opened by Beau-Jean, a scantily clad
colossus, silhouetted In the aperture
against the light OF a single candle.
with an exclamation of dismay, the
maj stepped back to admit Hill and
MS burden, and the painter, staggering
across the tiny room, deposited Nita
upon a ragged bed that stood beside
the cook stove.
Holy Mother!" breathed B~eau,Jean.
rs she dead?"
No! Where are the women?" asked
Hill.
In response to the question Gune-
Were raised herself from her pallet
Of quilts in the opposite corner, a
sturdy, unmodern figure, with head
swathed for sleeping. With entire UNI
concern for her negligee, she arose
and came to the assistance OF the
older woman.
God save US! she is too ancient to
survive such INJURY" she exclaimed,
examining a swelling which was now
quite obvious on the crone's forehead.
"Hermania! Anna! comet"
From a tiny inner closet came Her
mania, clad as for the day, save for
the absence of shoes, and her forehead,
band Of coins. which was at this mo-
ment %repoeing In her bosom for
greater comfort with no less safety.
After her came Carlos, sleep-stupid
and annoyed. In a moment both wom-
en- were busy over the Frustrated form
Of the injured one; and to the men
Hill was giving an account OF the ad-
venture that had brought them to such
a pass. They listened without being
able to throw the smallest light upon
the subject, nor identify the enemy
who had assaulted the old lady in so
cowardly a fashion.
(which of you has ever heard Of her
enemy" Hill was asking. None,
really? And has she no kin whom we
should call upon for help?"
NAY" said Beau-Jean, the ponder.
GUS, she is from the America.of-the-
South. If she hath kin, they are too
far away to levy claim upon"
Observation-Disclosures What do you
mean?"
Venezuela, think" said Rico.
But how is 1t possible that no one
knows anything further about herr"
cried Hill. you have all been with
her for years. Surely you must know
or the women will, perhaps"
NO one but Pedro knows" said
Rico positively. They came together;
We all know that much. But beyond
that"
He waved his hand with a gesture
expressive Of infinite vagueness.
Then, II anything threatens her,
I may also affect Pedro" said Hill.
Perhaps the Old One will speak
suggested Beau-Jean, and then
We a find out"
1t was u hope to which they all
but which was not to be full
He'd during the watches of that night,
rs it became evident that rest was the
most important thing for her, and that
title or nothing could be done until
he morrow, the watchers, one by one,
,etook themselves to bed.
The next day a doctor came and pro-
ounced that there was nothing alarm.
lg in Nita's injuries, but that she
aust rest for a few days and have
reat care. Then he took most of I
heir money, and having drugged Nita,
fter the custom Of certain beasts who
rey upon the not i%nfrequent victim !
} be found among the tenements, pro-
eeded to make a case for himself
he could come daily until his
atient's finances were exhausted. And
n several days his little plan succeed I
for Guneviere was faithful to the q
and administered the drug
it'll great regularity. On the days a
hen Hermania remained at home to
ire for the old woman, she, too, was I
and vigilant. But there v
a time when it was Annals turn n
watch, and Anna forgot to give the
Medicine" For poor little Anna wept b
being separated from Rico, and d
fell asleep. When she awoke, h
day was gone, and what was more, n
tia IA gone also. The bed was
ade, the old woman's clothing had Is
%sappeared. and on the table the +
npty coffee cup and plate, showed
at Nita had not gone hungry! s.
d
Now the doctor had been a severe y
ain upon the resources Of these peo-
and just at present Hill was bring. ca
g in the most money, for he added to
5 exhibition, sketching portraits at III
cents apiece. He was usually the al
st to step out, and last to return, and
is was more regularly the case since 10
ta's illness, for the two older WON. re