The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-12-28
After due explorations Dr.. Cameron
decided that there was no evidence of

Conclusion certainly" he said; will
be unconscious for some hours yet"
AS Madge came up with the dress
ings she took glance at the patient
and promptly dropped the tray.
Peabody regained consciousness be-
fore noon the next day, but his symp
toms were such that he was removed
from the accident ward and placed un-
der observation in another part of the
hospital.
His lowered vitality, due to the shock,
fastened the development Of typhoid,
and soon he was in high fever and de-
lirium.
Uncle Don," said Madge one even |
ing, don't you think that l should !
have some experience in the fever
wards? I've been doing accidents for
three months, and l want to go abroad
this autumn, you Know
"Why, yes, Madge; l intend that you
shall have that experience, too" agreed
DR., Cameron.
Through the short cool nights Madge
would sit by the Needle-just like a
mother or sister, of course-feed him
and cool his poor face, but. nothing
would stop the restless head from roll
ing like some monologues that Madge's
fertile brain evolved. These were far
more intimate than any mother or SIS
ter business in this drama. 1t was
positively dangerous, therefore fasci
mating and. most deliciously scary, for
| the Needle was approaching the border
land of consciousness. Still it had to
| be done. They had to be administered
for the effect they produced and were
to be classed with ice and cruel and
that sort of thing. But, goodness gra-
cious, Peter, If the Needle should hap
pen to come to- while some Of this
very special treatment was going on!
And Madge would oil scrooge up at the
very thought Of such thing. Still her
sense Of duty drove her resolutely for
ward.
"It's up to me to do something for
him that his mother or sister couldn't
do" decided Madge, and then would
follow one Of the treatments:
"Pemberton Peabody, for goodness
sake do put down those paddles! l
can carry such things. Do you take
this lunch basket, and these three
rugs, and the box Of vacuum bottles,
and the tent, and put them all in the
exact center of the canoe There;
that's the nice boy. Now think we
are ready. Oh, wait; just run up to
the camp and get my novel It's On the
mantel-no, on the Chinese chair-no,
here it is, in the pocket Of my rain
coat What, you in the canoe first?
No, sir! How could launch my small
person into the bow if it's mile out
of water from your perching in the
stern? Ladies first, please. Now we're
off! Let's go to the cove and make a
fire on the beach Then we can cook
supper and afterward snuggle up all
comfy in the rugs and watch the moon
come up. It's about time we settled
where we are going for our honey
moon The wedding is just three
. weeks from today, ard there is such a
lot to do in the meantime. Oh, dear
/ almost wish it was all over and we
, were just starting off by our lone
somes, just this way! Hi, there, skip
per! You are sDlashing Now let's
run up alongside that log; it's so much
better than. landing on the beach
! sy-easy-so-and here we are"
r In July all Of Madge's family were
at the cottage ON the Maine coast, ant
, many were the impatient demands that
: she take a vacation and come nortl
by the first train Finally there came
| a summons that she had no though
of evading. Her father was very i'll.
- She made all of her simple prepare
tons very quickly. Uncle Don was tt
= come for her in an hour. The Needle
- was improving. They said he wa
nearly out of danger. but he was still
dcliriOus.
Madge gave him his broth and pat
ted his pillow-yes. for the last time
Then she knelt by his cot, her hear
pounding like mad.
| Needle, dearie, Madge must g
| now. Madge is going way, way of
| She will never see her Needle again
! You will be well soon. You will g
back to your own life. your family
! yOur-sweetheart. But. Needle, yO
] will never know who it was that help
most topping over into kingdom come
/ And we aren't going to have any NOR
canoe trips, and we aren't going t
n watch moonup on the lake any more
Needle. But, Needle. just for fiv
| wild, wild delicious minutes, I'm &C
| ing to lay my head down here an
whisper in your ear. am yours, an
| you are mine for five whole minute:
for" very softly, just a breath of
whisper, Il love you, Needle. but
I wouldn't have you know it for thot
\ sand worldsr'
"a Madge bounded to her feet as
y thin voice, as from an immeasurabl
distance, succeeded fairly well in sa,
| ing;
| ooh, Madge, forgive me! I've bee
] shamming lot lately. ~
/ But she ran away like wild thin
and Uncle Don found her face down q
the cot in her room.
There, there, my girl! Perhaps dat
". dy is not so bad after ALL
LIE .
One morning i'll August a crack ca
a. boat, the Meow, put out from Gre;
rs Diamond island and skinned Il
,s- waters Of Casco bay under the pra
nc ticed hand of an independent little pc