The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1921-08-18
A GOOD IMPULSE
BY MoLLIE MATHER.
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(3D. 1921, Western Newspaper Union }

L
before dressing for dinner. Neither
was It Natalle's fault that the corner
Of the yeranda had Jutting wal
making a second secluded corner near
by. Here sat two rocking old ladies'
1T Is too bad" old Mrs. Gunther said
"that Natalie Brooks hasn't a thought
In the world beyond her own good
looks and good times. That girl seems
to just dance through the world, and
somebody, usually. pays the piper"
"well," old Mrs. Dean submitted
'Natalle's father made his pile before
he died, and as her mother lives even
more luxurious life than her daugh.
ter, no one appears to suffer from her
sponsiblllty-except herself"
The women arose and moved away.
self centeredr' Yes, she had been
always. Natalie could see that, but
everything consplred to make her so.
The very friends who admired and
planned for her pleasure; at least she
told herself defendlngly, she was not
unappreciative of happiness, built
seemed that one must pass on happl.
ness II one would not later tind lonely
hours" Natalie, her dark eyes wide
aud serious, considered the question.
II seemed reasonable, one who did not
share what one had was selfish, and
selfish persons were not apt to be
continually sought. She must share
her happiness, then-ln some way
strange that this had not occurred to
her before. She turned lmpulslyely
TO beckon 10 a whlte-faced girl who
came wearily up the walk.
where do you live when you are
nj home, Fredai" said the newly awak.
ened Natalie. when you are not work.
ing at tho hotel as waltressf
Freda's pathetic blue eyes gazed
wonderingly. II live" answered Freda,
"in a crowded part OF the city that
you would not know. where many fam
lies crowd In tenements. The visit.
Ing doctor found me this place TO work
during August. becnuse my health was
no poor. He was very kind. but Ia
September have 10 10 back-the ho-
tel then closes"
Freda half turned away.
"lt must be nice" she added shyly,
Ito do as one pleases."
Natalie jumped 10 her feet.
What an easy happiness to give"
she said.
Il want to pass on some OF my good
fortune" Natalie explained. "And I
did not know how 20 10 about H. This
is really my first good impulse. You
must let me help TO make your wish
come true" II was doubtful as weeks
passed. which OF the two, mistress or
maid. were beneficiary. For no Freda
became. and In her rapidly returning
strength was gratefully willing 10 re-
turn the kindness daily given. Nata-
lie. agnln an unwilling eavesdropper,
heard herself discussed. 'She ls beau
tlful and has undoubted charm"
Wayne Southwlck. the admired bach.
elor was saying, but most society
women are like that-no heart or sta.
blllty beneath. fight shy-don't
want to run the risk OF taking unto
myself wife OF that class"
Natalie, with hot cheeks made her
way back TO the hotel. SO. because
OF her money they judged her Re
belllous tears rose 10 her eyes; the
young house doctor OF the hotel gave
her a second glance as she paused In
the lighted doorway.
Natalie felt all at once strange and
sick. She approached the young doe
tor.
Il am III, think" she told him
weakly; "will you see mef"
Noddlng curtly, he led the way 10 a
white fitted office. and he frowned as
he took her temperature and pulse.
"Better get 10 bed at once" he ad-
vlsed her briefly.
II was Mrs. Gunther who first sound
ed the alarm. She had noticed Miss
Brooks coming from the tumble-dow
house on the beach several days ago.
That house now, 20 the horror OF the
guests. bore a smallpox sign. The doc
tor was called to the city during the
day that Natalie developed a rash.
After the chambermaid discovered this !,
fact the young woman Of fortune, |
might In her Illness have been pau
per, for all the attention she received. |
feyered In her great isolation
room, looked up TO see Freda bending |
over her. "Don't fret" Freda COM
forted, II shall stay TO care for you
1 and the doctor when he comes"
Outside the door, later. she told the
returned physician about her patient.
"She Is always trying to share hap
plness." Freda said. so she carried
food and clothing TO those people who
are now sick. Every day she wishes
TO talk TO you about helping me on TO
the nurses profession. Please"
begged the grateful Freda. "let US, you
and |, make her well OF this dread dis
ease"
When the doctor looked up from the
patients blotched face. he actually
laughed.
Dread disease" he laughed; "this
Is chicken pox. II Is prevalent In
this section. But We will take care
u her all right" the doctor added.
with tenderness In his tone.
TO think" the fully restored Nata-