Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-01-22
CHAPTE /.

CHAPTER /.
When it was all over Mr. sam came
put 10 the spring-hOuse to say good-by
to ne before he and Mrs. Sam left.
I hated TO see him go, after all We
had been through together. and I sup
pose he saw it III my face. for he
came over close and stood looking
down at me, and smiling. You
saved us. Minnie" he said, and !
needn't tell YOU we're grateful; but do
YOU know what | think" he asked.
pointing his long forefnger at me. 4
think you've enjoyed it even when you
we're suffering most Red-haired WON
en- are born TO intrigue, as the sparks
ifs upward"
Enjoyed it," I snapped. I'm an
old woman before my time, Mr.. Sam.
What with trailing back and forward
through the Snow to the shelter-house,
and not getting to bed at all some
nights. and my heart going by fits and
starts. as you may say, and half the
time my spinal marrow fairly chilled,
not TO mention putting on my over
shoes every morning from force OF
habit and having to take them oil
again. I'm about all in
Its been the making Of you, Min
ME. he said, cycling me, with his
hands in his pockets. Look at your
cheeks! Look at ysur disposition! /
don't believe you'd stab anybody in
the back now
Which was a joke, Of course; /
never stabbed anybody in the back
He opened the door and blast of
February wind ratified the window
frames Mr.. Sam threw ont his chest
under his sweater and waved me an
other good-by.
We'll. I'm of, Minnie he said.
Take care OF yourself and don't sit
too tight on the job: learn to rise a
bit lu the saddle"
"Good-by, Mr. SAM" I called, put
ting down Miss Pstty's dolly and fol
lowing him to the door; 'go0d-by; bet
ter nave something before you start to
keep you warm"
He turned at the corner of the path
and grinned back at me.
All A4ENL. AAC Idtltu- 4 II 80 uONN Il
to the bar and get a lettuce sand
wichi"
Then he was gone. and happy as
was. / knew I would miss him terribly
It began when the old doctor died
] suppose sou have heard OF Hope San
atOrium and the mineral spring that
made it famous.
have been spring house girl at
Hope Sanatorium for fourteen years.
For the first year or so | nearly went
crazy Then | found things were com
Ing my way I've got the kind of mind
that never forgets a name or face and
can combine them properly. which
isn't common. And when folks came
back | could call them at once. The
old doctor used to say my memory was
an asset to the SanatOrium.
He was in the habit of com ng to
the spring house every day to get his
morning glass of water and read the
papers. For good many years it had
been his custom to sit there. in the
winter by the wood fire and in summer
JUST inside the open door. and to read
of the headings aloud while l cleaned
around the spring and polished
glasses.
All that winter. with the papers
full or rumors that Miss Patty Jen-
nings was going to marry prince,
we'd followed it by the spring house
fire the old doctor and /. getting an
CRY at the Austrian emperor for oppos-
ing il when We knew how much too
good Miss Patty was for any foreign
or. and then getting nervous and
fused when We read that the prince 5
mother was in favor of the match and
it might 90 through Miss Patty and
her father came every winter to Hope
Springs and I couldn't have been more
anxious about it if she had been my
own sister
Well as I say. it all began the very
day the old doctor died. He stamped
ont TO the springhoUse with the morn
ing paper about nine o'clock, and the
wedding seemed to be all off. The
paper said the emperor had definitely
refused his consent and had sent the
prince, who was his cousin. for 4 Jap
suese cruise, while the Jennings fam
lily was goiug TO Mexico in their pri
Nate car The old doctor was indig
nant, and I remember how he trampet
no and down the spring nut
terinC that the girl had had a lucky
escape. and what did the emperor
expect If beauty and youth aud wealth
weren't enough. But he Gained down
and soon he was reading that the pa
pers we're predicting an early spring
and he said we'd better begin to in
crease our sulphur percentage'in thu
water.
By the way" he remarked, Mr.
Richard will be along in day or so
Minnie. You'd better break it to Mrs
Virgins
Since the summer before we'd ha,
20 break Mr. Dicks coming to Mrs
Wiggjus, the housekeeper. owing t
his finding her false front where i
had blown out Of the window. having
been hung up 20 dry, and his wearing
1t to luncheon as whiSkers. Mr. Dicl
WIS the old doctors grandson.
Humph," ] said. and he turne,
around and looked square at me.
He's a good boy at heart. Minnie.
lie said We've had our troubles will