Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-08-17

feet, Gerald reached 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 returned again to Gerald,
stanchcd the blood with strips of the
pillow.case from the bed. When the
doctor came she held the light for him,
while he probed the wound and OK
tracted the bullet.
IAN inch or so higher" said the doc
=, tor, ':and you would have been buried
Oh the same day with your aunt"
1T was a lucky thing, then, that
Miss Williams. had IN 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 us Luane
left the room he added, ''shc's the
finest young woman [ know, and would
make Il capital nurse in my hospital.
Do you know what she thinks a doing
now that your aunt is gone p
"No,' said Gerald, with grim Smile:
:'but fancy she'll think Of something
livelier than that
s'She has such al excellent physique
and splendid nerye,' said the doctor.
''But l must go. Keep rs quiet as you
can, and have Adams within CALL
That night Gerald awoke with an in
F., 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
horribly oppressive the stiffness was,
this semi.darkness and loneliness At
that moment a ponderous snore re-
sounded 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 I'm.
conscious Adams. But in spite of the
agony the movement cost him, it was
futile one. The pillow fell far short
of the object on the floor, and Gerald
sank back with groan.
DuU VIC VI Il
woman's hand fell tenderly upon his
forehead, the sweet tones Of a woman's
voice fell soothingly upon his ear.
''lt is time for your incidence 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 drink.
Then he thought his head was too
high, or perhaps u trife low: every
movement caused him intolerable
agony, but he hated to he 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 tremb(ed 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 something more cheerful
"Why, l think Id like it, said
Luane. ''You know I must do somc.
thing
IL don't see the necessity said
Gerald +; you have my aunt's money,
and it will occupy all your time to en-.
joy it,
"Your aunt's money is your own"
said Luane,' and you insult me by
thinking | would take advantage of
the poor old lady's weakness ; l never
will touch 4 penny of it. And, Mr..
Erism you must not talk
Lone word, only one," pleaded Ger.
aid. but for you might have been
like-like our poor old friend below"
Gerald shuddered and turned pale. 81
am co,yardly enough" he went on.
':to hate even the thought of it now
How can l thank you, Miss Will
liams -
''By taking what is your own, and
using it we'll and nobly,'' said Luane,
and vanished from his sight.
! But as she left him he felt sudden
throb in the hand beneath his own,
and saw a quick flame leap into her
cheek, a glow to her eyes.
''Threc long years. murmured Ger
aid, land never knew her till now.'
Gerald was young and strong, and
the fourth day, the one appointed for
the funeral, he was able to be up and
dressed, and welcomed Luane warmly
as she entered his room. She looked
paler than ever in her black dress. but
Gerald thought he never had seen so
| sweet and noble face. -.
elbow would like to go down, Miss
Williams he said, ''and enjoy the
surprise of the good people below |!
I'd like to sec them bow and smile to
the heiress of my aunt's fortune. I'm
as bad as the rest of them, 1 suppose,
for feel like making YOU all sorts of
pretty speeches" Gerald paused, and
his face grew suddenly grave and
tender. "Go now,'' he added, and kiss
my aunt goodbye for me tell her
am quite satisfied with every thing.''
Luane went from the room and down
she stairs. For the last three days
she had been like one in dream. 1t
seemed awful to be warm and happy
even after she entered the dark gloomy
drawing.room, even after she had bent
and kissed the cold stern face for
Gerald and for herself.
II will not take it, she whispered,
hot tears raining on the dead woman's
facet will not take penny of its,
but it has given me such a CLEAN Of
happiness. God forever bless you for
itr'
Then the people began to pour III,
and the ceremony commenced. Luane's
were the only tears that were shed,
and the most of the guests came from
| civility and curiosity. Miss Erism had
taken but little active part in the
world for many 9 year, and the poor
lady was soon put away and forgotten.
The most important part of the pro.
ceedings was when they returned from
the burial to hear the reading of the
will. : 2
Luane trembled when the pompous
lawyer uhrolleds the parchment, and
began in a son0rous voice-s.In the
name of God, amen -
What would they think of her
what would they say of her! Oh, how