"Well, if she does, I shall be sorry. But we must keep hands off."
On the following day, John Clayton was astounded to hear from Esther that she would not return as she had half promised to do in the fall.
But Esther offered no explanations; and Kenneth's calls, from that day, grew less frequent.
So the days passed, and two lives drifted apart.
CHAPTER XXI
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW
At the close of the religious service, the following day, Esther learned of many cases of sickness, in and about Gila, and especially along the water courses. A sort of a fever, the people told her. She resolved to make neighborhood calls the following day, and to take with her a case of medicine. She found many people sick with what seemed to be the same malady; and, thereupon, began a thorough investigation. The result was that she persuaded the people to let her call a physician.
On the following day, Dr. Mishell drove into camp, and Esther made the rounds with him. As she suspected, the malady proved to be typhoid fever.
"These people must have intelligent care," the physician said gruffly to her. "Do you know anything about nursing?"