The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-11-20

| "Youse need it more'n me, / guess
Better let the doctor take it; YOUR
a-goin' ter need ter call him in! Ye
seem all to the good, even if yer b,
dagoesi"
you're a gentleman!" exclaimed
Hill, holding out his hand. Man.
thanks for your kindness. You seen
very happy. May l ask why? ] shoult
like to congratulate YOU
"Oh! it amt nothin' much" said th'
cabby sheepishly. II amt goin' Il
be married, thets all!'
Wherewith he was gone, and Hill
without stopping to ponder upon the
content Of this odd reply, set himsel
to carrying Nita up the stairway. A
the first landing he stopped ant
| knocked. The door was PRESENT.!
| opened by Beau-Jean, scantily clae
colossus, silhouetted in the aperture
against the light of single candle
With an exclamation of dismay, the
man stepped back to admit Hill ane
,, his burden, and the painter, staggering
across the tiny room, deposited Nlts
upon ragged bed that stood beside
the cook stove.
"Holy Mother!" breathed Beau-Jean
"Is she dead?"
mo! Where are the women?" asked
Hill.
In response to the question Gune
Were raised herself from her pallet
of quilts in the opposite corner,
sturdy, unmodern figure, with head
swathed for sleeping. With entire un
concern for her negligee, she arose
and came to the assistance OF the
older woman.
God save us! she is too ancient tc
survive such intury!" she exclaimed
examining a swelling which was now
quite obvious on the crone's forehead
'Hermania! Anna! come!"
From a tiny inner closet came Her
mania, clad as for the day, save fol
the absence of shoes, and her forehead
band of coins, which was at this mo-
ment reposing in her bosom fol-
greater comfort with no less safety
After her came Carlos, sleep-stupio
and annoyed. In moment both WON
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 sc
cowardly fashion.
which of you has ever heard Of he1
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 toe
far away to levy claim upon
"America-of-the-Sout What do you
mean?"
Venezuela, think" said Rico.
But how is it possible that no one
knows anything further about her?'
cried Hill. You have all been with
her for years. Surely you must know
or the women will, perhaps"
mo one but Pedro knows" said
Rico positively. "They came together
we all know that much. But beyond
that"
He waved his hand with gesture
expressive of infinite vagueness.
Then, if anything threatens her
it may also affect Pedro" said Hill.
Perhaps the Old One will speak
soons" suggested Beau-Jean, "and then
we can find out"
It was a. hope to which they all
agreed, but which was not to be full
filed during the watches of that night
AS it became evident that rest was the
most important thing for her. and that
little or nothing could be done until
the morrow, the watchers, one by one
betook themselves to bed
The next day doctor came and pro
nounced that there was nothing alarm
ing in Nita's injuries, but that she
must rest for few days and have
great care. Then he took most OF
their money, and having drugged Nita
after the custom of certain beasts who
prey upon the not infrequent victim
to be found among the tenements, pro
ceeded to make case for himself
whereby he could come daily until his
patients finances we're exhausted. And
for several days his little plan succeed
ed, for Guneviere was faithful to the
nursing, and administered the drug
with great regularity. On the days
when Hermania remained at home tC
care for the old woman, she, too, was
painstaking and vigilant. But there
came a time when it was Anna's turn
to watch. and Anna forgot to give the
medicine" For poor little Anna wept
at being separated from Rico, anG
weeping, fell asleep. When she awoke
the day was gone, and what was more
Nita was gone also. The bed was
made. the old woman's clothing had
disappeared, and on the table the
empty coffee cup and plate, showed
that Nita had not gone hungry!
NOW the QoCloI udu Deeu severe
drain upon the resources Of these peo
pie, and just at present Hill was bring
ing in the most money, for he added tc
his exhibition, sketching portraits al
25 cents apiece. He was usually the
first to step out, and last to return, ant
this was more regularly the case since
Nita's illness, for the two older WON
en- were much occupied. 1t so hap
pened, then, that on the day just re
corded above, he had gone forth ever
before it was decided that Anna should
remain with Nita.
And so On, past tenements, pas
gloomy little shops, past meager wares
set forth at cellar doors, on and on he
went, absorbed in thought; and behind
him shuf1ed Mr., Jones, at whom the
children stared and pointed. Down Z