The Ordway new era., 1915-03-05
CHAPTER x.

1t had stopped showing and the sun
was shining, although it was so cold
that the snow blew like powder. By
eleven o'clock every one who could
walk had come to the springhouse.
About twelve o'clock Mr.. Thoburn
came In. and as he'opened the door. in
leaped Arabella. The women made .
fuss over the creature and cuddled her.
and when tried to put her out every
! body objected. So she stayed, and
Miss, Summers put her through lot
of tricks, while the men crowded
around.
Mr.. Won invalid and Miss Patty came
in Just then and stood watching.
And now" said Mr.. Won invalid. Il
propose, as a reward to Miss Arabella.
glass of this wonderful water. Min
ME. glass of water for Arabella!"
she doesn't drink out Of one OF my
glasses" declared angrily. ITS one
of my rules that dogs
Tut" said Mr.. Thoburn. whats
good for man is good for beast. Be-
sides, the little beggar's thirsty"
Well they made great fuss about
the creatures being thirsty, and so
finally got painful of spring water
and 1t drank until thought II would
burst. I'm not vicious, a. | say, but
l wish 1t had.
Well. the dog finished and lay down
by the fre, and everything seemed to
go on as before.
Just what In the record here?" the
bishop asked. I'm ordered eight
glasses. but find 1t more than ! suf.
ficiency." -
"we had one man here oncs who
could drink Is. ut = tifne.p-l I said. but
he was German =, .ily5s
"He was q tank" Mr.. Sam corrected
grumpily. He was watching something
on the hoor--I couldn't see what.
Consider" said Thoburn, standing
and holding his glass to the light,
how We are at the mercy Of this little
spring! A convulsion in the bowels Of
the earth. and its health-g giving prop.
critics may be changed to the direst
poison. How do we know, you and /,
some such change has not occurred
overnight? Unlikely as It is, it's pos
sibility that. sitting here calmly. we
may be slipping our death potion"
Some of the people actually put
gan to look uneasy except Mr.. Sam.
who was still watching something
could not see. He suddenly straight
ened up and glanced at Miss Summers
Perhaps I'm mistaken" he said, but.
think there is something the matter
with Arabella." r- ssef
Everybody looked. Arabella was ly-
ing on her back. jerking and twitch.
ing and foamIng at the mouth.
She's been poisoned!" Miss Sum.
mers screeched. and fell on her knees
beside her. Its that wretched wa
teri" etF
Z There was pretty nearly riot in a
minute. Everybody jumped up and
stared at the dog. and everybody re-
membered the water he or she had
Just had. and coming on top of Mr..
Thoburn's speech. 1t made them bab-
bling lunatics.
Well, did what could. The worst
OF it was, wasn't sure 1t wasn't the
water. l thought possibly Mr.. Pierce
had made a mistake ip what he had
bought at the drug store. and although
don't as rule drink 1t myself. be-
gan to feel queer in the pit of my
stomach. IN
Mr.. Thoburn came over to the
spring. and filling a glass, took 1t to
the light, with every one watching anx-
iously. When, he brought 1t back he
stopped over the railing and whispered
to me. M
When did you fix IT," he asked
sternly.
Last night" 1 answered. 1t was no
time to beat about the bush.
Its yellower than usual" he said.
I'm inclined to think something has
gone wrong at the drug store. Minnie."
Mr.. Won invalid was watching like
the others. and now he came over and
caught Mr.. Thoburn by the arm.
what do you think" he asked
neryously. IL have had three glass
es of it," -
shouted Senator BiKxs,
coming forward. i've had eleven! I
tell you. I've been feeling ouaar fo,. "a