Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/142

 Maggie suddenly plunged down the stairs yelling:

"Goddermighty, ye better run fur de doctor quick—Miss Stella dying! She done choke ter death!"

"I'll bring the doctor," said Larkin, rising quickly.

"Run and bring Aunt Julie Ann!" whispered the Judge to Maggie.

The maid met Aunt Julie Ann who had heard the commotion and the two hurried back to Stella's room.

When the doctor came she refused to see him, and he left in a rage. The Judge begged Larkin to stay until he could see his daughter.

An hour later, propped up in bed with Maggie rubbing one hand and Aunt Julie Ann the other, she permitted her father to enter and receive her pardon. The Judge knelt by the bedside, kissed her hand and wet it with tears. His surrender was abject. He sent Larkin away and promised to be present at the ball and treat the whole thing as a schoolboys' frolic.

And then she smiled and kissed him.

"If I'm only strong enough to dress by ten o'clock!" she cried, laughing.

"Try to eat something, dear," urged her father.

She promised and asked Aunt Julie Ann to