Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-08-20

I uCu, StdlluiIlS upon tlIc I'LL CoiIOlSt, He'
served you well. You have just got Ri
of me in time. My aulft died this morn
ing, and has left everything she had to he
nurse and companion. F"
Then he got out INTO the street, aI,t
walked along with faltering, struggling
Step. His eyes were Widths face livdl,
pale.
| IIe went home and stood by the body OIL
his aunt. There was a singular rascina-
/ ton about this de ,th-Something very
wonderful and tempting IN that mysteri
Gus and absolute rest Suddenly lie became
master OF himself, Of the bitterness and
despair of the moment: He walked firmly
to the door; but u step foil ,wed him, an
ftnrning he saw the pale perturbed ftcs of
Miss Williams. Then he remem> cred her
presence in the roo,u but his madness and
grief had prevented him from realizing it.
! e. Just one word, Mr.. Melton" she said.
DsOf course you know that | will not touch
one penny of the money!"
cit doesn't matter now" he replied.
ct might as well be yours as anyb5dy's!'
"But it is yours" she said,
sob, as for me, said Gerald, 81 shall
not want it," He walked on through the
Fall. Miss Williams followed him
stealthily. He entered his room; but when
the door shut him in. Amy remained bag
gard and trembling. A grim silence
reigned about her. She could hear the
clock tick in the dead woman $ room be-
low. Suddenly she put both her hands
about the knob and opened the do,r. Ger
aid turned quickly; there was an ominous
click; the pistol fell a little as it went off
The blood soaked through his coat and
trickled out upon the foor.s Just as Amy
was about sinking at his feet, Gerald put
out his hand to her.
can accident, Miss Williams he said.
then help me off with my coat."
This brought Amy to herself. She has
tened to do his bidding, despatched Adj
ans, and returning again to Gerald i,
stanched the blood with strips of the pill
low-case from the bed. w EN- the doctor
came she held the light for him while he
probad the wound aud extracted the bull
let.
''An inch Or SO higher" said the doctor,
"and you would have been buried on the
same day with your aunt
''It was lucky thing then that Miss
Williams had an errand to my room when
she did - S lid Gerald LAS she opened the
door my hand fell and the pistol went off. -
s'She has unconsciously saved your life. =
said the doctor. Then us Amy left the
room he added, s.Shes the finest young
woman know, End would make IL capital
nurse in my hospital Do you know what
she thinks of doing now that your aunt is
gone?'
NO." said Gerald, with IL grim smile;
"but fancy she will think of something
TIivlier than that.
''She has such I'm excellent physique and
and splendid nerve," SAID the Doctor
''But mast go. Keep us quiet as you
can, you have Adams within CALL
That night Gerald awoke with an intol-
cradle thirst; his temples tlirobbed, his
eyes turned. Looking over at Adams, he
found that he was sound asleep. This of
itself was offensive to Gerald. What
business had the mln to sleep when he WAS
suffering? Horribly oppressive the still
ness was, this semi-darkness and loneli-
ness! At that moment a 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 a pillow, threw it with
all his might at the unconscious man.
But in spite of the agony the movement
cost him, it was a futile one. The pillow
fell far short of the object. and Gerald
sank back with groan.
But suddenly the soft touch of ii wo-
mans hand fell tenderly upon his forehead,
and the sweet tones of Il woman's voice
fell soothingly upon his ear.
''It is time for your medicine" said
Amy, and put the cup to his lips. Gerald
drank us if it were nectar. Then she AZ
ranged his pillows for him, and was about
retreating from the rooom when he family
called for drink. Then he thought his
head was too high, or perhaps tride low;
every movement caused him intolerable
agony, but he hated to be alone with Ad-
ans again. Besides, he was curious about
thes woman. She must have really divin-
ed 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 u little be-
meath his touch.
ssYour hand didn't tremble when you
held the lamp for the DOCTOR" sain Gerald.
ssHe wants you for II hospital nurse, but |
told him you'd prefer something more
cheerful"
"Nhy, I think I'd like it," said Amy,
ssYou know | must do Something"
81 don't see the necessity" said Gerald;
'syou have my aunt's money, and it will
occupy all your time to enjoy it.".
'Your aunt's money is your own," said
Amy. land you insult me- by thinking l
would take advantage Of the poor old
lady's weakness; will never touch a pen
nv of it, and, Mr.. Melton. you must not
| TALK
.'One word--only one," pleaded Gerald.
'sBut for you l might have been like-like
our poor old friend below" Gerald shud-
dered and turned pale. II am cowardly
enough, he went on, "to hate even the
thought of it now. How can 1 thank you,
|
Miss Williams?"
.sBy taking what is yourow and using
it well and nobly,n said Amy, and vanish
ed from his sight. fs.sl ss
But as she left him, he felt sudden
throb in the hand beneath his own, and
saw a quick fame leap into her cheek-a
Ulow tn her ayes