It was from Harriet Somers.
But no letter came from Francis.
Finally Sherwood suggested a registered letter. In a few days a receipt
came back, followed by a letter in which Francis explained that he had
just returned from a trip to Honolulu for his health, and that he hoped
when he was better to go up into the mountains to see Mr. Palmer.
But the old man's strength was failing, and worry over Francis had
resulted in another paralytic shock. Dr. Mason was summoned, and made
his way into the canon on skis. He found the patient in bad condition,
suffering from miner's paralysis in its worst form. Still, the old man
rallied, affixed his mark in lieu of signature to a letter ordering
medicines and other necessaries from Hintzen, and forbade the writing of
alarming letters to his relatives. He hoped to weather the storm again
as he had done under Dr. Lefevre's treatment.
But patient and nurses had their premonitions. He would call out in
distress, "Mrs. Sherwood, please help my hand," and she, taking the
stiffened fingers in hers, would soothe him so. He came more and more to
depend upon her. Told her he trusted she would do whatever was needful;
and, sure sign of the coming end, spoke of his relatives in the East.
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