Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-01-12


fracture.
Conclusion certainly" he said; Twill
be unconscious for some hours yet"
As Madge came up with the dress
ings she took a 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 Dom" 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 hat 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 all scrooge UP at the
very thought of such a thing. Still her
sense Of duty drove her resolutely for
ward.
Its 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 l 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 l launch my small
person into the bow if it's a 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, and there is such a
lot to do in the meantime. oh, dear;
l almost wish it was all oyer and we
were just starting off by our lone
somes, just this way! Hi, there, skip
per! You are splashing! Now let's
run up alongside that log; it's SO much
better than landing on the beach.
Easy-easy-so-and here we are"
In July all of Madge's family were
at the cottage on the Maine coast, and
many were the impatient demands that
she take a vacation and come north
by the first train. Finally there came
a summons that she had no thought
of evading. Her father was very i'll.
She made all of her simple prepare
lions very quickly. Uncle Don was to
come for her in an hour. The Needle
was improving. They said he was
nearly out of danger, but he was still
delirious.
Madge gave him his broth and pat
ted his pillow-yes, for the last time.
Then she knelt by his cot, her heart
pounding like mad.
Needle, dearie, Madge must go
now. Madge is going way, way off.
She will never see her Needle again.
You will be well soon. You will go
back to your own life, your family.
your-sweetheart. But, Needle, you
will never know who it was that help
ed pull you back when you were al
most topping over into kingdom come.
And we aren't going to have any more
canoe trips, and we aren't going to
watch moonup o. the lake any more.
Needle. But, Needle, just for five
wild, wild delicious minutes, I'm 60
ing to lay my head down here and
whisper in your ear. I am yours, and
you are mine for five whole minutes,
for" very softly, just a breath of a
whisper, 81 love you, Needle, but /
wouldn't have you know 1t for a thou
sand worlds!'