Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-04-27

VIE airy indifference OF the girls
manner and the stilted pomposity
of the mans words made the quarrel
comedy; the ache in the girls heart
and the choke in the mans throat
made it a tragedy.
Rainsford, his head high, thrust the
discarded diamond into his pocket and
strobe 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
saying to Mrs. Kenton, who was close
behind him. at Is a well; developed
case of diphtheria and the very great
est caution is necessary"
The man in the hall below caught
up 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 go out, you are quar-
antined."
"Quarantined
~ es, sii'-duarantined" reiterated
the doctor. "There is a case of diph-
iberia upstairs and not "a soul can
leave this house until--rntil | give
permission"
At RainSford's dismayed ejaculation
Mrs. Kenton came quickly forward,
My dear boy" she soOthed, don't
let it fret you for moment. We
shall be delighted to have you with
us. Just think, you will be a regular
godsend to us through all these lole-
ly days ahead; and Dorothy-it VIII
be so nice for Dorothy.
But, Mrs. Kenton, l can't-there ere
reasons why T."
Rainsford paused irres2lutely.
"Nonsense-not wore. C0pa--
run into the other room to Dorothy"
Hardly conscious of voluntary
movement, RainSford found himself Il
moment later facing Miss Dorothy
Kenton, who sat limp and silent, upon
the living room sofa.
"You heard?" he asked.
She nodded her head.
pheasant prospect-fOr you," he OBJ
served.
But what-what are we going to
do?" she faltered
His hands executed an expressive
semicircle.
But it-it's ridiculous" she contin-
ued, with some heat. THE idea of
our being shut up in the same house
In this absurd fashion now; if it had
been before, why" she stopped her
cheeks crimsoning.
For some unaccOuntable reason his
spirits rose.
Cant help tits a case of quar-
antine," he retoned,
At that moment Mrs. Kenton came
into the room.
well, well, children, this is an eX-
perience, isn't it?" she exclaimed. 81
don't suppose it 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.
SWELL it's diphtheria-and that's bad !;
still, he says it's a light case. We are
fortunate in having Miss Merriman-
she's 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
l shall have to be with Mark more or
= less, and | fear you two will be left
pretty much to your own devices, but
l 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 it as pleasant as
possible for our captive here.
The house was very quiet when
Rainsford came downstairs the next
morning. He fingered the books Ga
the center table, picked up Il maya
zine, dropped it, then wandered out to
the veranda, which extended around
three sides Of the house.
"WelI. by Jove," he muttered wrath
fully, marching to and fro, 'Ill stand
this thing just one hour longer until
] see Mrs. Kenton, then-Ill run for
it."
His feet We're brought to an abrupt
stop at the extreme end of the veranda
where an open door led apparently
into d.. kitchen. Kneeling before the
stove was Miss KentOn.
'Hince when have you been fire.
worshiper?" he asked.
Mlss Kenton laughed merrily.
Jack, what's the matter with this
stove? I've opened all the slides anC
doors I can find, but" she stopped
suddenly her cheeks scarlet. ut Is
going very nicely now Mr.. Rainsford
you needn't trouble" she said frig