That Girl of Johnson's — page 87: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

76 THAT GIRL OF JOHNSON’S. the girl after the first few minutes. She wore a soft gray dress and a large white apron; her smooth gray hair was half-hidden under a clean white cap; she wore slippers and her movements were almost noiseless. The footsteps in the room were few and light; the occa- sional sound of low spoken words reached her ears, but the words themselevs were unintelligible. A sudden fear took possession of the girl. It was sharp and appalling, and she straightened up under it as though she had received a blow. It was no exhaustion from want of food and shelter - that ailed her father; something more than that brought this woman and the doctors, caused this hush of voice and footsteps, shut her from her father’s presence. She spoke, and her voice was low. The woman who had steadied her nerves through many worse scenes started and changed color, but regained her self-possession almost immediately. She turned quietly toward the girl. ‘fYou spoke, Miss Johnson ?” ‘What ails my father ?” ‘‘He will be better by and by. We could not expect him to recover at once. Do not be alarmed.” Dolores paid no attention. She repeated her question in the same low yet perfectly distinct voice; her eyes looked steadily at the woman. “What ails my father ?” The nurse was annoyed. She did not like co be ques- tioned so pointedly; she had studied to keep ner own counsel and use few words. ‘Your father had a heavy fall, Miss Johnson; only the | ledge saved him. His right leg was broken above the knee; the doctors have set that’ now; it will be better soon.” Like young Green, she would not tell the full truth. How could she tell the girl the extent of the injuries and the possible end? That one of his legs would have to be amputated; that his whole system was so shattered it would be a miracle if he lived, and though he should live Gomme 0:0 cS Gol 2 > ‘'.. a oo ‘i le =~ ~ Pose * —- ee. ot