The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-04-29

THE airy Indifference OF the girls
! manner and the stilted pomposity
NJ the mans words made the quarrel
comedy; the ache In the girls heart
and the choke in the mans throa,
made 1t tragedy.
RaInsford, his head high, thrust the
discarded diamond into his pocket and
sfrOde into the hall. 1t was at that
moment that the fussy little doctor
from the village came down the stair
way.
"There Is no doubt, madam" he was
saving to Mrs. Kenton, who was close
behind him. 1T Is a well-developed
case Of diphtheria and the very great.
est caution is necessary"
The man in the hall below caugh,
no his hat and stalked to the outer
door.
"Here. here, Mr.. Rainsford," called
the doctor. agitatedly. you mustn't
do that
Mustn't do what?" he demanded
throwing wide the door.
"YOu mustn't 80 out, you are quar-
antined."
"Quarantinedw
"Yes, sir-quarantined," reiterated
the doctor. There Is case Of dlph.
iberia upstairs and not soul can
leave this house until-until l give
permission"
At Rainsford's dismayed ejaculation
Mrs. Kenton came quickly forward.
my dear boy" she sOothed, don't
let 1t fret you for moment. We
shall be delighted to have you with
us. Just think, you will be regular
godsend to us through all these lone
ly days ahead; and Dorothy-it will
be so nice for Dorothy.
"But, Mrs. Kenton, 1 can't-there are
reasons why I"
Rainsford paused irresolutely.
"Nonsense-not word! Come
run into the other room to Dorothy
Hardly conscious Of voluntary
movement, Rainsford found himself a
moment later facing Miss Dorothy
KentOn, who sat limp and silent, upon
the UNlHS TOOTH SOId.
"YOu heardY he asked.
She nodded her head.
pheasant prospect-for you," he OBJ
served.
But what-what are we going to
dol" she faltered.
His hands executed an expressive
semicircle.
But tits Ridiculous" she contin-
ued, with some heat. 1.-THE idea of
our being shut up in the same house
IN this absurd fashion now; II 1t had
been before. why" she stopped. her
cheeks crimsoning.
For some unaccOuntable reason his
spirits rose.
Cant help tits case of quar-
antine," he rejoined,
At that moment Mrs. Kenton came
into the room.
swell, well, children, this is an ex-
perience, isn't it," she exclaimed. Il
don't suppose 1t will trouble you much,
though" she went on with a faint
smile.
"What did the doctor say Of IA
ther?" interposed Dorothy, with fever
ish eagerness.
Mrs. Kenton's face heightened.
"Well, it's diphtheria-and that's bad !;
still, he says It's light case. We are
fortunate in having Miss Merriman-
she's a fine nurse. But do wish Doc
tor Kane was here. We've sent for
him, however, and If he's in the city
he'll surely come. This Is the first
time anything like this has ever hap
pened when we've taken cottage at
one OF these summer places"
And my being thrust upon you In
this absurd fashion Is anything but
pleasant for you," asserted Rainsford.
MY dear boy" demonstrated Mrs.
Kenton, "were delighted! OF course
shall have to be with Mark more or
less, and fear you two will be left
pretty much to your own devices, but
presume"
"Er-mother," Dorothy broke In
hastily, II can help. you know"
There's not a thing for you to DO.
dear, except to make 1t as pleasant as
possible for our captive here.
The house was very quiet when
Rainsford came downstairs the next
morning. He fingered the books on
the center table, picked up maya
zine. dropped 1t. then wandered out to
the veranda, which extended around
three sides Of the house.
well. by Jove," he muttered wrath
fully, marching to and fro, I'll stand
this thing just one hour longer until
! see Mrs. Kenton, then-I1l run Tor
III"
His feet were brought to an abrupt
stop at the extreme end Of the veranda
where an open door led apparently
Into the kitchen. Kneeling before the
stove was Miss Kenton.
"Since when have you been nre-
worshiper?" he asked.
Miss Kenton laughed merrily.
"Jack, what's the matter with this
stove? I've opened all the slides ana
doors can find. but" she stopped
suddenly her cheeks scarlet. 1T Is
going very nicely now. Mr.. Rainsford;
you needn't trouble" she said frig.
Idly.
Again Rainsford's spirits unaccount-
ably rose. He stepped into the room
and peered into the crate where three
charred sticks smoked with occasional
Units of fro saT,hts might make