The Prescott daily news., 1918-05-15

I am strong man. Margaret, while you"
 He gripped the frame of the win- dow until the veins stood out in great cords upon his hand. He had forced himself to speak quietly and his voice gave no hint of the agony of fear that possessed him.
 Are you going to let your will stand between us, spoil our lives7 Happiness will lengthen yours. And miner" He drew deep breath. we will not talk of mine, dear. For your own sake implore you to listen to me-"
 "Auntie, what does Doctor Max want you to do?" The forgotten child slipped between them and threw an arm across the frail figure.
 He wishes me to go away with him, dear"
 twill youT Ruth questioned in sudden fear.
 The weary eyes looked steadily into the dominant ones above her and were held by the pain and misery she saw In their depths. Her own were dark with suffering as she turned away with sigh.
 "No, sweetheart"
 With a laugh of relief the child re- stunned her play and the man left the room.
 Some hours later as the last rays of the setting sun glinted across the fiower-scented room, Ruth danced into it holding her doll closely saying over and over one word until the rythm reached the dulled consciousness of the woman lying on the couch and aroused her.
 What Is 1t you say, dear?"
 "Such a funny word that nanny told me about" the child answered. "Skidded. I want to know what it means. because she says Doctor Max did 1t down the hill. She didn't tell me where"
 Suddenly erect Margaret stared at the child. "Tell Nanny Rose to come here, Ruth, and we will find out what she meant"
 ITS righ' hyar, Miss Mar'gret. I jus dun foller dat chil' case feared she'd say somefin she shouldn't. Now don yo' git skeered. honey, fo' thar ain nothin' to git skeered about"
 "What are you talking about, Man. my? What has happened to Doctor Max? Tell me at once."
 Jus muffin but what dat no count nigger, Jake, tol me. He say de doc tor skidded. eff yo know what dat mean, an dun brought up at de horse piddle. Lan's sakei Whar yo' goin'. Miss Margaret. hab yo' done gone clare crazy?"
 For Margaret had left the couch and was making her way slowly, stumblingly toward the veranda through the open window.
 Followed by her old nurse and the wondering child, with one intent, to reach the hospital around the corner from her home, she went falteringly on, catching now and then to man. mys shoulder, again straightening herself and walking alone while the old colored woman muttered impreca- tions upon her son, Jake, whose story had brought about this unheard-of thing.
 But the strength, keyed for the mo- ment t0 unusual exeTtion could last but little time. Conscious that 1t was fast leaving her. Margaret prayed for 1t to last until she reached the building; prayed that she would be in time to tell him that she was awake at last. Nothing mattered but that he should know what life would mean to her without him. and she hurried. hurried until at length she sank ex- hausted upon the steps leading up to St. Luke's.
 There were people about who stared at her. Nanny Rose with hands upon her bulging hips glared at them as she sheltered the girl with her huge figure. Then an inspiration came to her and her manner changed to ingratiating blandness.
 Eff one ob yo'alls II go up thar an ask fo' de doctor 1 suttinly'd be much erbleeged."
 Any one in particular?" some one asked.
 'Suttinly not" she replied, with dignity. Jus some doctor'll do."
 She waited long. long enough for the passersby. their curiosity unsat- isfied, to go their different ways. Hearing steps behind her she turned and for the second time within the hour gasped out her amazement at the unpyDactpd