Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-02-22
The gtnrp Teller.
KATE KENNEDY'S GHOST.
By MRS. HENRY IDEAS.
CHAPTER XVI.

By MRS. HENRY IDEAS. ~.
~ Il CHAPTER XVI. a
'Ina fsw minutes help was procured, and
M. Wilberton, alias Clement, was conveyed
to the little cabin opposite the orchard, ss tn the
nearest place of refuge at hand; while the
Earl, in the meantime, sent over to the village
for medical aid, as all the efforts made for the
restoration of the suffering man proved OF nc
avail. .'1.. .'' :.
The physician, on his arrival, expressed
himself as doubtful whether he could do more
than temporarily alleviate the severity of the
disease under which he was laboring. Tbs
pressure on his brain, he said, was intense
and should bis physical health be restored
be would in all probability continue hopeless
ly insane; while, on the other hand, it was pos
sible that his mental faculties might. recover,
but his frame sink under disease-an alter.
native not unfrequent In similar cases. In
the meantime he advised his removal to the
village, where suitable lodging and com
petent nurse could be procured, and where he
himself could attend regularly upon him.
His illness might prove tedious one. though
in all probability it would not be long ereits
result would be decided one way or the other.
Lord Desborough accordingly invested him
with authority to actin the matter, directing
that everything should be done which was
necessary for the sick mans comfort, and as
suming the responsibility of whatever expense
should be incurred; and little DR.. Mapning,
foreseeing lucrative case, hurried off with
alacrity to make the suitable arrangements,
leaving the Earl himself installed as nurse
until his return. The patient, after the first
delirium had subsidized, sank into passive,
apatbetic state, apparently unconscious OF
everything about him, and occasionally NUT
tering unconnected sentences below his breath,
of which his attendant vainly tried to catch
the sense. - %.ana.5,sh - att t-.
While all this was trsnspiring, Geraldine,
ignorant Of what had happened, but aware
that her husband had gone to examine the
we'll, waited patiently for bis return before
ordering breakfast. From his window she
could see that he was not now in the orchard.
and she wondered somewhat at the length of
time he remained away. Still she was not
willing to follow him, and taking book in
the front parlor, she sat down to while away
the moments of suspense as best she might.
She found it quite impossible, however, to
read. She had by no means recovered from
the excitement of the previous night. and her
anxiety to know the result of the EarPs !ex-
peditiou vas almost painful in its intensity.
She had waited for more than an hour beyond
the usual breakfast-time, when suddenly the
loud report of gun, fired apparently at a
short dsiistauue of, startled her out of her un-
easy meditations. The report was followed
by confused noise, as of many voices ex-
claiming together, and directly afterwards
Judson, with very pale face, came running
toward the house. A cold chill struck upon
her heart. Something warned her that evil
had befallen her husband. She turned quite
sick and giddy with fear, and caught the post
of the door in which she was standing, for
support. ..- - =. ....-
"My lady, go in" said Judson, painting, as
he came up. go to your room for little
while-master's coming" ....
"What has happened ?" she cried, almost
6ercely, in her frantic eagerness to know the
worst "Tell me-tell me instantly !" she ad-
ded, as the man hesitated, reluctant to reply.
"Master, he's hurt, my lady-some villain
shot at him" ..- .. .a.>... .... q,
els be killed ?"
"I-don't knowles insensible-the doc
tors coming-for Gods sake, my lady, 60 in
lust for little," entreated Judson, as he spied
through the trees the approach of the little
party who were bringing the Earl on litter
to the cottage. But Geraldine, darting past
him. few to meet them. A ghastly sight met
her eyes. Her husband, pale as death, lay
motionless and rigid, the blood oozing in a
dark stream from his head, to which banda.
ges seemed to have been in1ectually applied.
One hand hung lifelessly downward at bis side.
She took the cold hand in hers. She pressed it
to her lips-her breast-then held it in silent
clasp as with an almost breaking heart she
walked by the litter as it was borne along.
They laid him on his own bed, which Jud-
son had prepared. and in few minutes the
doctor arrived. He had, fortunately, been
overtsken when only short distance on his
way back to the village, in charge of the
wagon in which Wilberton was being re-
moved. :r
II must have perfect quiet here" said the
doctor, as he glanced around, after satisfying
himself that his new patient still lived.
Lady Desborough, I hope you will pardon
me for requesting you to leave the room. 1t
is necessary that the strictest caution be Oh.
served"
Il shall remain, Doctor" said Geraldine, in
low but firm tone. Her face was as white
as the Earl's, but she had regained her COM
posure, and had the resolution to maintain it.
"But," pleaded DR.. Manning, perplexed,
II fear that your nerves may not be equal to
the trial of witnessing necessarily painful
operation. must tell you, candidly, that
my patient is in q critical state, and the least
agitation, on his restoration to consciousness,
may prove fatal" Ids .....
"You need have no fear" replied Geraldine.
aT ehaIl not disturb Won in the least 7 must