The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-05-06

haggard, upon her face. Then she
sank, pale and trembling into chair
and covered her eyes with her hano
She was moved with pity, perhaps
or a vague regret. At last she spoke
"I have just accepted an offer oil
marriage"
'.Frsm Badger" cried Gerald, and
walked to the door. "Your prudence
he added, standing upon the threshold
"has served you well. You have just
got rid of me in time. My aunt died
this morning, and has left everything
she had to her nurse and companion
Then he got ont iuto the street, and
walked along with faltering. stag
gering step. His eyes were Widths
face lividly pale.
Hewent home and stood by the body
of his aunt. There was a singular
fascination about this death-some-
thing very wonderful and tempting in
that mysterious and absolute rest.
Suddenly he became master of himself
He walked firmly to the door; but a
step followed him, and turning he
saw the pale, uptxrned face of Miss
Williams. Then he remembered her
presence in the room, but his madness
and grief had prevented him from
realizing.
"Just one word, Mr.. Melton" she
said. "Of course you know that l
will not touch one penny of this mon
cyl"
"It doesn't matter now," he replied,
1T might as we'll be yours as any
body'sw
sBut it's yours" she said.
"Oh, as for me-" said, Gerald. Il
shall not want it," He walked on
through the hall. Miss Williams fol-
lowed him stealthily. He entered his
room, but when the door shut him in,
Amy remained haggard and trembling
A grim silence reigned about her. She
could hear the clock tick in the dead
woman's room below. Suddenly she
put both hands about the knob and
opened the door. Gerald turned
quickly, there was an ominous click ;
the pistol fell little as it went OIL.
The blood soaked through his coat
and trickled out upon the floor. just
as Amy was about sinking at his feet,
Gerald put out his hand to her.
can accident, Miss Williams" he
said. "Please send Adams for the
doctor, and then help me off with my
coat"
This brought Amy to herself. She
FASTENED to do his bidding, despatched
Adams, and retaining again to Gerald
staunched the blood with strips of the
pillow-case from the bed. When the
doctor came she held the light for hiuI
while he probea the wound and ex-
tracted the bullet.
can inch or SO higher" said the
doctor, "and You would have been
buried tie same duy with yorr aunt
sit was lucky thing, then, that
Miss Williams had an errand to my
room when she did," said Gerald. GAS
she opened the door my hand fell and
the pistol went Off"
''She has unconsciously saved your
life," said the doctor. Then as Amy
left the room he added, "She's the
finest young woman 1 know, and
would make a capital nurse in my
hospital. Do you know what she
thinks of doing now that your aunt is
gone?'
"No," said Gerald, with grim
emile "but fancy she will think Of
something livelier than that"
''She has such an excellent physique
and splendid nerve," said the doctor.
"But ] must go. Keep as quiet as
you can, and have Adams within call"
That night Gerald awoke with an
intolerable thirst; his temples throb-
bed his eyes turned. Looking over
at Adams, he found that he was fast
asleep. This of itself was offensive
to Gerald. What business had the
man 10 sleep when he was suffering !?
How horribly oppressive the stiffness
was, this semi-darkness and loneliness.
at that moment ponderous snore re-
sounded from the throat Of the sturdy
Adams, and Gerald almost leaped
from his bed. 1t was like a stab to
him it was uncomfortable, He stretch
ed over his sound arm, and reaching q
pillow, threw it with all his might at
the unconscious man. But in spite of
the agony the movement cost him, it
was futile one. The pillow fell far
short of the object, and Gerald sank
back with a groan.
But suddenly the soft touch of a
woman's hand fell tcnderly upon his
forehead, and the sweet tones of a
woman's voice fell soothingly upon his
ear.
cit is time for your medicine" said
Amy, and put the cup to his lips.
| Gerald drank as if it were nectar.
Then she arranged his pillows for him
and was about retreating from. the
room when she faintiy called for q
drink. Then he thought his head
was too high, or perhaps q trife