The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-02-11

or his aunt. In0re was q single faSClnA-
ton 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 step followed
him, and, turning, he saw the pale, per-
t1lrbed 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!"
SIT doesn't matter now," he replied.
ct might as well be yours as any
body's!"
"But it is yours" she said
"Oh, as for me-" said Gerald, II
shall not want it. . He walked through
the hall. Miss Williams followed him
stealthily. He entered the room, but
when the door shut him in Luane re-
manned, 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 wo-
mans room below. Suddenly she put
both her hands about the knob and
opened the door. Gerald turned quickly ;
there was an ominous click the pistol
fell little as it went off. The blood
soaked through his coat and trickled out
upon the floor. Just as Luane 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 Luane to herself. She
fastened to do his bidding, dispatched
Adams, and returning again to Gerald,
stanched the blood with strips Of the pill
low-case from a bed When the doctor
came she held the light for him while
he probed the wound and extracted the
bullet.
can inch or so higher" said the doc
tor, "and you would have been buried
on the same day with your aunt. %
&C It 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
She has unconsciously saved your
life" said the Doctor. Then as Luane
left the room he added, "She's the finest
young woman know, and would make a
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
ivelier 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 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 suffering? How terribly oppressive
the stiffness was, this emi-darkness and
loneliness At that moment ponderous
snore resounded from the throat of the
study 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 a pillow,
threw it with all his might at the uncon-
scious Adams But in spite of the agony
the movement cost him, it was a futile
one. The pillow fell far short of the OBJ
ject on the floor, and Gerald sank back
with a groan.
But suddenly the soft touch of a
woman's hand fell tenderly upon his
forehead, the sweet tones of a woman 8
voice fell soothingly upon his ear.
{" It is time for your medicine" said
Luane, and put the cup to his lips
Gerald drank as if it was nectar. Then
she arranged his pillows for him, and was
about retreating from the room when he
family called for a drink Then he
thought his head was too high, or per-
haps trife low every movement
caused him intolerable agony, and 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 Ger
aid. Z" He wants you for hospital
nurse, but [ told him you'd prefer some
thing more cheerful"
"Why, think I'd like it, said Luz
ane. "You know must do something"
81 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 aunts money is your own, :"
said Luane, "and you insult me by
thinking [ would take advantage of q
poor old lady's weakness [ never will
touch penny of it. And, Mr.. Erism,
you must not talk"
"One word, only one," pleaded Ger
aid. "But for you I might have been
like-like our poor old friend below. :"
Gerald shuddered and turned pale. Il
am cowardly enough" he went on, "to
hate even the thought of it now. How
can T thank Won Miss Williams @"