The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-06-07
profusely from a wound in hi.

bleeding profusely from wound in hi
side.
For few moments al was confusion
and copstern, ito !, and then it was fount
that the lapdlou was insensiblr, and tina
his wife had also tainted, and lay in al
unconscious state. George Whitaker WA
taken up and borne to the couch frou
which it appeared he had just risen, ane
then prompt efforts were made use Of fol
bin recovery by those who stood with,
the room. The girl, Margery, and thu
dwarfed son of the innkeeper were amit
the number, and soon George Whitak'>
was aroused 10 consciousness, and va
able to tell to those about him how he ha,
been surprised in his sleep by some on
entering his room, that he had called on
to them, rising in bed at the same time
and requested to know what was wanting
Immediately the person, or persons. hae
sprung upon him, and sheatlled dagge
in his side. Dame Jennie, who had bee,
aroused by the noise Of the intruders, hao
fainted at his cry of murder, and at th'
same moment, when lie attempted t,
wrestle with his assassins, they had givel
the wound causing his subsequent uncon
seriousness.
The innkeeper gave this information b,
broken words and with great effort, whil'
the wife had been borne to another apart
ment, and was being revived by Margery
and others. But at the conclusion Of hi
words, when his son Nigel perceived tina
his parent was alive and still able to speak
the dwarf exclaimed with stern, com
pressed voice, aud speaking in slow
measured tone:
"'This deed shall be avenged, father
IT'S the work Of one who has long sought
to do you even greater wrong than tt
take your life"
The Innkeepcr raised his eyes to The
features OF his son, and there was lool
Of anxious suspense on bis face as he re-
piled:
Z" Whom do you suspect, Nigel! Is il
he who has already caused nc such uu.
happiness
"Aye. father, It's his work and an.
others even worse than he. who has made
this man the tool Of his nefarious plans y
said the dwarf, speaking in the same slow
concentrated tone.
Those who stood about the room heard
the conversation with strange surprise dc.
picted upon their CONTINGENCIES. Who tue
dwarf or his father referred to, they were
at loss to understand for, though some
Of the number we're ncighbors who had
been alarmed by this time, and came
rushing into the apartment, yet none had
ever known that George Whitaker. the
go,d innkeeper at tho Bears Head hotel
had ever an enemy in existence.
BY this time several, who had been
reused at the FIRST cutlery, and had immc.
hiately gone throughout the house and the
surrounding streets in quest Of the assas.
sins, returned, reporting that no clue to
to the villains could DO obtained. And
now, as leech had arrived, and Dame
Jennie had recovered sufficiently torendcr
assistance. the apartment was cleared and
the wounded man left to the care Of lncdi.
cal attendance.
Conspicuous amid those who had hov.
cred about the bedside of George Whita.
ker was Monsieur Dalgarno, who had mol
blanchcd feature during the converse
ton which had occurred between the inn
keeper and his son. But when the lcecl
had dressed the wound, and monsieur saw
there was nothing moro to DO done, he
prepared 10 leave the room. remarking al
he did SO, that he should leave no mean.
untried in order to find the wicked pcrpe
traitor Of tho vile deed.
After this man had departed, and Nige
and his ster-mother were left alone will
the wounded man, Dame Jennie asked,
10 low, scared tones, If her husband
thought the man who had just left then
could be capable ofsueh horrid crime.
"Why do such thoughts enter your
mind, wife, that you put this terrible sus
picion into our breasts?' questioned
George Whitaker, rs he lay, now pal.
and weak, upon the couch, and behcld Tue
look upon his wifc's pallid features.
Il know not. l have no right to &c.
cuse any; but something in my uncle.
manner and face put the suspicion there
and it will not depart till 1t is proven
some other person attempted the deed.
replied the dame, with assured voice
Then she added, as she perceived thai
Nigel was about 10 speak. and imagining
that perhaps he was to be swayed by hel
opinion
Do not pay any heed to my words
Nigel. | had no right to utter them, snt
an. even now. sorry that, in thought,
have wronged my uncle, who. though h
has often been severe and hard with me
yet l believe to be incapable Of this terri
bic deed"
DO not alarm myself, my most wor
thy s.ep.motber, for | shall not base IN,
suspicious solely upon your words. Blu
as there is an avenging spirit in Heaven
so truly will [ find out those who hav,
well-nish robbed inc of father. as well a
thee Of husband, and take the utmos
vengeance upon them for the deed - ex
claimed the dwarf. in determined tone.
At this moment Nlargery appeared 0,
the threshold, and holding out a whit,