Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-01-14

q has served you we'll. You have Just got
rid Of me in time. NV aunt died this
morning, and has left every thing she had
| to her nurse and companion"
Then he got out into the street, and
walked along with faltering. staggering
step. His eyes were wild, his face liv-
idly pale. People turned to look at him
as he went by, and two or three Won
dered what was sending that man to the
| devil.
He went home and stood by the body
of his aunt. There was singular fasci-
nation about this death-something very
wonderful and tempting in that mysteri-
| GUS and absolute rest. Suddenly he be-
came master of himself, of the bitterness
| and despair of the moment. He walked
| firmly to the door; but a step followed
him, and, turning, he saw the pale, per-
| turbed face of Miss Williams. Then he
remembered her presence in the room,
but his madness and grief had prevented
HIM from realizing it.
"Just one word, Mr.. Erism," she said.
"Of course you know that / will not
touch one penny of this money!
1t doesn't matter now" he replied.
1T might as we'll be yours as any
body'sr
But it is yours" she said.
| "Oh, as for me-" said Gerald, Il shall
not want it," He walked on through
the hall Miss Williams followed him
stealthily He entered his room, but
when the door shut him in Luane re-
NAMED, haggard and trembling her ear
glued to the cold panel between them.
A grim silence reigned about her. She
could hear the clock tick in the dead
woman's room below. Suddenly she
put both her hands about the knob and
opened the door Gerald turned quick
ly; there was an ominous click; the
pistol fell little as it went off. The
blood soaked through his coat and
trickled upon the floor Just as Luane
was about sinking at his feet Gerald put
out his hand to her.
IAN accident, Miss Williams, " he said.
"Please send Adams for the doctor and
then help me off with my coat"
This brought Luane to herself. She
fastened to do his bidding, dispatched
Adams and, returning again to Gerald,
stanched the blood with strips of pill
low case from the bed When the doctor
came she held the light for him while he
probed the wound and extracted the
bullet.
"An inch or 50 higher said the doc
tor, and you would have been buried
on the same day with your aunt"
1t was lucky thing, then, that Miss
Williams had an errand to my room when
she did," said Gerald "As she opened
the door my hand fell and the pistol
went Off"
"She has unconsciously saved your
tL<,l do,
left the room, he added: She's the finest
young woman | know, and would make
capital nurse in my hospital. Do you
know what she thinks of doing now that
your aunt is gomez"
NO." said Gerald, with grim smile !;
"but fancy she'll think of something
liveler 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 CALI
That night Gerald awoke with an in
tolerable thirst; his temples throbbed,
/ his eyes burned Looking over at Adams,
he found that he was sound asleep. This
of itself was offensive to Gerald. What
| business had the man to sleep when he
| was sutferingg How horribly oppressive
| the stiffness was, this sem-darkness and
lonelinessl AT that moment ponderous
snore resounded from the throat of the
sturdy Adams, and Gerald almost leaped
from his bed. 1t was like stab to him !;
it was uncomfortable He stretched over
his sound arm, and reaching pillow
threw it with all his might at the uncon-
scous Adams. But in spite of the agony
the movement cost him it was futile
one. The pillow fell far short of the OBJ
ject on the floor, and Gerald sank back
with groan.
But suddenly the soft touch of a
woman's hand fell tenderly upon his
forehead, the sweet tones of woman's
voice fell soothingly upon his ear.
at is time for your medicine" said
Luane, and put the cup to his lips.
Gerald drank as if it was nectar. Then
he thought his head was too high, or per-
haps trie low every moment caused
him intolerable agony, but he hated to
be alone with Adams again Besides,
. he was curious about this woman. She
must have really OWNED his motive, and
come to him to save his life. She was
again about to leave him, but he put his
hand upon hers to detain her, and found
that it trembled little beneath his
touch.
Your hand didn't tremble when you
held the lamp for the doctor" said
Gerald. "He wants you for hospital
nurse, but l told him you'd prefer some
thing more cheerful"
why, | think I'd like it," said Luane.
"You know must do something"
II don't see the necessity" said Ger
aid; "you have my aunt's money, and it
will occupy all your time to enjoy it."
Your aunt's money is your own
said Luane, land you insult me by