That Girl of Johnson's — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

102 THAT GIRL OF JOHNSON’S. . fragrance of frying eggs and bacon and coffee came through the-half open door. The young man’s appetite was _ sharpened by the smell; he had eaten nothing since morn- ing, and he smiled half pityingly to himself to think how closely comedy and tragedy are allied. But the men were waiting for his story, and he Serpe in his pleasant voice so unlike their rough manner of speech. “The leg should have been amputated at once, for it was in a terrible condition, but the doctors dared not do it; in his weak state it might prove fatal. To-morrow they hope to doit. His daughter knows nothing of his critical cond1: tion, and they wish her not to know. The waiting and suspense have told much on her already, and she must have no more excitement at present. We hope that Mrs. Allen, the nurse, will bring her around all right.” “An’ he’s goin’ ter lose his leg?” Lodie asked, slowly. “Et’s goin’ ter be reyther hyard on ther galas well as Johnsing, ’pears ter me. Who’ll take care of ’em, I’d like ter know ?” “They’ll be taken care of,” young Green replied, quietly, a touch of color in his face to hear these rough men speak- ing of these things in regard to such a woman as Dolores Johnson. “But it is doubtful about Johnson having to be taken care of many days.” The color tinging his face was not lost on the men. Their eyes were eloquent as they watched him. Mrs. Jones came to the door and spoke to him. His sup- per was ready if he cared to have it then. _ As he arose to obey the summons Tom Smith asked, gruffly, it might be out of bravado to hide his real feelings : “Ef Johnsing dies what ’bout ther trial ower yander, jedge ?” Green faced him with a look the men never forgot, as he replied, sharply : “ What is a mare’s life to that of aman, Smith? You had best let that matter drop till this is settled.” ecomicbooks.com