The Snowflake herald., 1917-10-05

clear appreciation OF MS 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 a bad business of cOnverSa-
tiOn. 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 a chair beside his bed; from
her uncomfortable position and evil
dent fatigue he judged that she must
have kept a 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 jerk.
$50! You're feeling better, aren't
yOu?" the latter woman cried heartily
Eyes. How did 1 get here?" Dave
asked. 81 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 sleep?
e Oh, the prosecutor at Browns
vile amt let me alone a minute for a
week."
"Umph! I thought so. You puzzled
that pillzroller, 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. 81 reckon L
said 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 a sleep and are all right
again, I'm going home and change my
clothes. l haven't had them off for
two nights"
'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 shalzy 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
er 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-
sequence, Dave did not remain there
long until he was discovered. Mont
rosa signaled, then trotted toward him
with ears and tail lifted. Her delight
was open and extravagant; her well
come was as enthusiastic as a horse
could make it. Gone were her cOuuetry
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
swapped 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 beat it out here. hung
around all day yesterday, waiting to
see you, but you was batty."
Il was pretty SICK" Dave acknowl-
edged. Mrs. Strange was mighty kind
to me-"
"Sick people get her goat. She's got
- way VIII Ciu anu WIN uiAiiAitSs NoO-
Why Rajah, the big python with our
show, took sick one year, and he'd have
died sure only for her. Same with a
lot of the other animals. she knows
more'n any vet l ever saw"
Perhaps l needed veterinary in-
stead OF a doctor" Dave smiled. Il
guess I've got some horse blood in me.
See!" Montrosa had thrust her head
under his arm and was waiting for
him to scratch her ears.
well, 1 brought you some mail"
Strange fumbled in his pocket for a
small bundle of letters, explaining:
"Blaze gave me these for you as 1
passed the post Office
Dave took the letters with word of
thanks, and thrust them carelessly in
to his pocket. what seems to be the
trouble?" he inquired.
"You remember our last talk? Well,