Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-06-01

tuC oiChIOOu. IL WAS eVlueut 1rOu ucI
expression that she considered the
master Of the house harmless but
offensive old busybody.
For some time longer Blaze hung
about the sickroom; then, his presence
being completely ignored, he risked
further antagonism by telephoning for
Jonesville's leading doctor. Not find
Ing the physician at home, he sneaked
out to the barn and, taking Paloma's
car, drove away in search Of him. 1t
was fully two hours later when he re-
turned to discover that Dave was Sleep
Ing quietly.
Dave slept for twenty hours, and
even when he awoke it was not to q
clear appreciation of his surroundings.
At first he was relieved to find that
the splitting pain in his head was gone,
but imagined himself to be still in the
maddening local train from Browns
vile. BY and by he recognized Palo-
ma and Mrs. Strange, and tried to talk
to them, but the connection between
brain and tongue was imperfect, and
he made bad business of CONVERSE
ton. 1t seemed queer that he should
be in bed at the Joneses'. When he had
recovered from his surprise he turned
his head and saw Mrs. Strange slum-
bering in chair beside his bed; from
her uncomfortable position and evil
dent fatigue he judged that she must
have kept long and faithful vigil
over him.
A little later Paloma, pale and heavy
eyed, stole into the room, and Dawes
cheerful greeting awoke Mrs. Strange
with a jerk.
$50! You're feeling better, aren't
your" the latter woman cried, heartily.
eyes. How did I get hereY Dave
asked. II must have been right sick
and troublesome to YOU"
Paloma smiled and nodded. "Sick
Why, Dave, you frightened us nearly to
death! You were clear out of your
head'
Mrs. Strange broke into his frown-
Ing meditation to ask, "How long since
you had a nights sleepY"
Ct Oh, the prosecutor at Browns
vile amt let me alone a minute for a
week."
"Umph! I thought so. You puzzled
that pill-roller, but doctors don't know
anything, anyhow. Why, he wanted to
wake you up to find out what allied
you! l threatened to scald him If he
did,"
81 seem to remember talking good
DEAL" Dave ventured. II reckon L
said a lot of foolish things" He caught
the look that passed between his
nurses and it's significance distressed
him.
Mrs. Strange continued: "That's
how we guessed what your trouble
was, and that's why wouldn't let that
fool doctor disturb you. Now that
you've had sleep and are all right
again, I'm going home and change my
clothes. l haven't had them off for
two nights"
1.-TWO nights!" Dave stared in be.
wilderment. Then he lamely apollo,
gized for the trouble he had caused,
and tried to thank the women for their
kindness.
He was shaky when, an hour later,
he came downstairs for breakfast; but
otherwise he felt better than for many
days; and Blaze's open delight at see
ing him did him as much good as the
food he ate.
Dave spent part Of the morning sun.
ming himself on the porch, reading the
papers with their exciting news. Dur.
ing his absence Paloma had done her
best to spoil Montrosa, and among 9th.
err marks of favor had allowed her free
run of the yard, where the shade was
cool and the grass fine, and where de.
licious tidbits were to be had from the
kitchen for the mere asking. In con.
long until he was discovered. Mont.
rosa signaled, then trotted toward him
with ears and tail lifted. Her delight
was open and extravagant; her wei.
come was as enthusiastic as horse
could make it. Gone were her coquetry
and airs she nOsed and nibbled Dave;
she rubbed and rooted him with the
violence of battering-ram, and per.
mitted him to hug her and murmur
words of love into her velvet ears. She
snapped confidence for confidence
too; and then, when he finally walked
back toward the house, she followed
closely, as if fearful that he might
again desert her.
Phil Strange met the lovers as they
turned the corner of the porch and
warmly shook Dawes hand. "Teeny-
my wife-told me you was better" he
began, $50 I beat it out here. 1 hung
around all day yesterday, waiting to
see you, but you was batty."
II was pretty SICK" Dave acknowl.
edged. "Mrs. Strange was mighty kind
to me-"
"Sick people get her goat. She's got
q way with 'em and with animals, too.
Why, Rajah, the big python with our
show, took sick one year, and he'd have
died sure only for her. Same with o
lot Of the other animals. She knows
mOre'n any vet ever saw"
perhaps / needed veterinary In
stead Of DOCTOR" Dave smiled. II