Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-05-27
A GRIPPING
ROMANCE
BY OTILLIA F. PFEIFFER
lcopynshl. 0sO. weslern Newapaper unIon


(copynght, 1920, western Newspaper Unlon.)
"Coddling my dear-that is the sys-
TEN we are TO employ with Cousin
Roylston. The men all like it,"
is he really cousin2' inquired
Prudence Blake of her sister, spin
ster like herself, though ten years her
senior
'Well, maybe third or fourth re-
moved, but he hasn't many Of near Kin,
and It is probably because of our re
lationshlp. distant though 1t may be,
that he has chosen our home to re
cruit his health in
"Why, is he an invalid?" questioned
the seemingly artless Prudence.
mo but he has been victim Of the
prevailing grip epidemic and his doc
tor said a few weeks convalescence
away from business cares was neces-
sary"
ayes, we must be helpful and kind
to the sick and weak" sighed Pru-
dence pathetiCally
"You mean we must seize all golden
opportunities, reported Dorcas tartly
yaluing the simpering platitudes Of
her sister at their true worth "Cousin
Roylston is a man Of means, a com
paratiyely young man, and-who
knowsT And Dorcas prepared to put
her coddling system into practical
operation. and Prudence hunted up
her most captivating ribbons and laces.
Ward Roylston heaved a sigh of relief
anticipatingly of coveted peace and
rest as he reached the isolated town
Of Clyde
you do not look very We'll Cousin"
were the first encouraging words Of
Dorcas. "Our brother Ezra has just
received his medical diploma and he
will call to look you over"
why l am not sick" said Roylston.
eve never know in case like
yours" observed Dorcas in a dolorous
tone. "They say the after effects are
sometimes very severe But you will
have at hand faithful nurses"
Roylston made wry face, unob
served by his ofIicious relatives, when
he sat down TO his first neal He was
hungry as an OK, but cream toast, thin
Cruel and single poached egg were
proffered him
Brother is very strict as 10 the
alimentary regime" droned Dorcus
prudence be sure that Cousin Royl-
ston's room is ventilated Just right and
a warming pan pressed between the
sheets before he retlres" And then
came Brother Ezra, a cadaverouS
young man who gloomily kept his eve
on Roylston as though he was analyz-
ing him with view to protracted medt-
cal treatment
81 shall send over some medicine In
the morning" he announced sepu-
chrally 'a few gargles and lotions"
and he left a phial of pellets which
Roylston promptly tossed out Of the
window when he reached his room.
In the morning there arrived pack
age Of countcr-irritantS. lotions and
the like and all that day the sisters
watched Roylston with nm asSduity
and vchemeuce that nearly drove him
wild. To cap the climax. after dark
DorcaS solemnly rendered a little
package
"a blister Brother Ezra sent she
explained. Drastic he says, but
sure to prove beneficial Prudence and
will sit up TO night, Cousin RoylSton.
and you must promptly call us If you
feel any bad symptoms. The after Of
fects Of the fatal grip must be wnrded
Oft You know.
Grip" muterel RoylSton. as he
reached his room. COT an the busy
bodies The ouly grip am Interested
ia is this" ana he opened his single
piece Of baggage and proceeded IN
pack IT, "lH make my escape before
they poison me II 7 have to jump
from the window"
That wa, just what Royston had to
do an hour later Gazing thence ne
observed the reflection Of light IN
lower room. He could not leave the
house thar way without apprizlng his
iailcrs He dropped his grip from The
window followed with the aid of
relli~ and made tracks speedily.
RoyIston turned from the house and
town His idea was to seek the FIRST
safe shelter rhut presented AT the
end Of 2 ftye-miIr tramp wearea ANA
forloru turning i bend I'm the road he
came upou % horse and wagon ar
~tandSdN 4 ~hapoly goldcn.haired
girl was mguI,ng The broken harness,