Smiles Appeal

"Lou Amos?" asked the woman. She had already turned to get her own
shawl.

"Yes, hit's leetle Lou. She air powerful sick, an' I wants fer ye ter
stay ter-night with her an' grandpap, ef yo' will. Thar haint nothing
ter do but stay with them."

"In course I'll do hit fer ye, Smiles," was the ready answer, and her
lank, slouching husband nodded a silent assent, as she turned to him.

"But what air yo' reckonin' ter do? Yo' kaint go nowhar in this hyar
storm. I don't recollect hits like on the mountain, no time."

The girl did not answer; but held the door open while the other stepped
out, only to catch her breath and flatten herself against the cabin's
wall as a sheet of mingled sleet and snow struck her. By continually
assisting one another, the two made their way slowly over to Jerry's
home; and, when they paused within its shelter, Rose held her
companion's arm a moment, and said, "Thar haint no use tryin' ter
prevent me, Mis' Andrews, cause I'm ergoin' ter do hit. I'm ergoin' down
ter Fayville, an' send a telegram message fer er city doctor thet I
knows, ter come hyar an' make Lou well. Don't go fer ter tell grandpap
whar I've gone er he'll worry erbout me, an' thar haint no cause ter.
The storm's et my back, an' hits all down hill goin'. I hates ter tell a
lie ter him, but I allows I've got ter, this one time."