The independent-reporter., 1922-04-13

IT got pretty rotten headache, and
nv stomach's upset. too" he said,
dropping upon the Paxtons' fence. II
been gettin worse every minute. You
and Sadie 60 by Millas, Albert, and
tell her II I'm not there by ha'-pas-
seven, tell her not to wait for me any
longer"
"How do you mean 'wait'?" Albert
inquired "You don't expect her to
come pokin' along with Sadie and me,
do you? She'll keep on slttin there ut
home just the same, because she
wouldn't have anything else to do, If
you don't come like she expects you to.
She hasn't got any way to stop wait
in'p
At this, Ramsey moaned. without af-
fectation. II don't expect / can, Al
bert he said. I'D like to If l could.
but the way 1t looks now, you tell her
l wouldn't be much surprised maybe
was startin' in with typhoid fever or
pretty near anything at all" He
moved away, concluding feebly: II
l.,
while I'm still able to walk some. You
tell her the way 1t looks now I'm liable
10 be right sick"
And the next morning he woke to
the chatings of remorse, picturing a
Milla somewhat restored in charm
waiting hopefully at the gate, even
after the half-nast seven, and then, as
time passed and the sound Of the dis
tant horns came family through the
darkness, going sadly to her room
perhaps weeping there. 1t was n pic
ture TO wiring him with shame and pity,
but was followed by another which
electrified him, for out of school he
did not lack imagination. What if
Albert had reported his illness too
wildly TO Milla? Milla was so fond
What If, in her alarm, she should come
here to the house to inquire of his
mother about him? What If she told
Mrs. Mlholand they were "engaged"?
The next moment Ramsey was project
ing Il conversation between his mother
and Milla in which the latter stated
that she and Ramsey were soon to be
married. that sffe regarded him as nj.
g ready virtually her husband and de
mandcd TO nurse him.
In Il panic he fled from the house be
fore breakfast. going out by way of n
side door, and he crossed back yards
and climbed back fences to reach Al
bert Paxton the more swiftly. This
creature, a ladies' man almost profes-
sionally, was found exercising with IN
electric iron and pair of flannel trou-
sers III a basement laundry, 10y way of
stirring his appetite for the morning
meal.
eee here, Albert" his friend said
breathlessly. II got favor. l want
you 10 30 over to MlIa's-"
I'm goin' to finish pressin' these
trousers Albert interrupted. "Then
I've got my breakfast to eat"
well, you could do this first" said
Ramsey hurriedly! at wouldn't hurt
you to do me this little fnVor first.
You just slip over and see Milla for
me, il She's up yet, and IL she isn't,
you better wait around till she Is, be-
cause | want you to tell her Tin a
whole lot better this morning. Tell
her I'm pretty near practically all right
again. Albert, and TIL probly write her
a note or something right soon-or in
a week or SO, anyhow. You tell her"
'"Well, you act pretty funny !'' Albert
exclaimed, fumbling in the pockets of
his coat. "Why can't you go on over
and tell her yourself? But just as II
happens there wouldn't be any use
your goin' over there, or mo, either"
"Why not?"
"Milla amt there" said Albert, still
searching the pockets of his coat.
when we went by her house last night
10 tell her about your headache and
stomach and all, why, her mother told
us Milla'd gone up to Chicago yester-
day afternoon with her aunt and said
she left note for you, and she said IL
you were sick l better take 1t and
give 1t to you. I was goin to bring 1t
over to your house after breakfast"
lie found 1t. "I1erew
Ramsey thanked him feebly, and de-
parted In state of partial stupefac-
tion, brought on by glimpse of the
disabilities Of life. lie had also, not