The Morning herald., 1878-05-27

/
was still vigorously excluded from the cot
tage, their acquaintance was but slight.
"Well, Mrs. Hughes, have you brought
me message from Master Cecil" he asked,
| smiling, "or come for cosy chat with Mrs.
Williams2'
He was quite awra of the deadly hatred
| used it as weapon t. goad each in turn.
'Cosy chat with heI?' growled the wo-
man. 'Td sooner put my mouth to q
speakin' trumpet and say all I'd got to say.
There'd he no hUmbuy about that The
gossip! But there, | can't think O her nor
nobody else now, with my precious lamb
lying cryin' and moann' with pain. There's
a note for YOU and she pushed missive
into his extended hand.
Geoffrcy started and changed color.
"What do you mean What is the mat
ter2' he asked, in quick, sharp tones; but
she turned away, mutterug:
"You must read your note and see"
Geoffrey tore it open. 1t contained few
hurried lines all blurred and hlotted, but he
kept the tiny scrap all his life.
'Cecil has had an accident, and keeps
crying for you. Please come at once.
"Yours truly, SIBYL ELTON"
Geofrey breathcd more freely, and in ten
strides was by the side of Mrs Hughes.
"What is the accdent?' he asked, grasp
ing her arm. 'Is he in danger? Why
don't You speak out?"
''He fell over the balusters," she moaned,
wiping away the tears that were streaming
down her rough, red face. "We don't know
how he's hurt till the doctor comes. He
screamed dreadful when we picked him up.
o., my lambie-nly precious boy!" and the
robs began again.
Geoilrey left her, and in five minutes
more was at the cottage. The hall-door was
open, and he walked in and listened. The
low, sweet voice he loved so well guided
him, and he passed into the drawing room.
Mrs. Elton was kneeling by the sofa, with
one arm under her boys head, whilst the
other hand kept bathing the little white face
with eau de Cologne
>'I am so glad you have come" she said,
scarcely turning her head. ''He keeps ask
ing for you, but I think he has tainted
again now Oh, when will Doctor Bell
Gomez"
Her voice was SO full of quiet agony that
Geofrey's heart sank
'It may not be as bad as you fancy" he
said gently. perhaps he has broken his
leg or arm, and that, though very painful,
is not dangerous"
"His left arm is broken, know" she an
swered in the same tone; "but there seems
to be some internal injury as we'll. He is
all I have. Surely Heaven is too mercitul
to take him from me'
1.-THE only son of his mother, and she was
a widow" replied Geoffrey. "He was given
back to her"
She shuddered
"Oh, don't" she said gaspingly. 81 am
not All, here is Doctor Bell y
And her face lightened as the solemn little
man, followed by Mrs. Hughes, entered the
room and approached the sofa. She looked
up into the old mans face with such look
of agonized entreaty that Geoftrey turned
away choking
"Yes, yes, we will see-may not be much,
he said in answer to the silent appeal.
Fell over the stair-rail into the hall?
Boys, boys always in'mischief! Got more
lives than cats, though. Now, Mrs. Elton,
if you will kindly take away your arm and
leave the room, I will see to him; but we
don't want mothers at these scenes--always
faint Or do something unpleasant; or, stay;
we had better carry him up to his bedroom
first. This gentleman will carry him per-
haps. Mr.. Chetwynd, [ believer
Gcoffrey bowed and came forward, and
Mrs. Elton. after a moments hesitation,
said ,
He is great favorite with my little boy
and Cecil kept asking for him till was
obliged to send for him.
"Very good, very good. Now Mr.. Chot-
in op
moves hers Gently, gently" as Cecil
mo mooned ne and opened bis eyes
Very tenderly and gently Geoffrey carried
the lille III fellow up and laid him on his little
bed, and then helped Mrs. Hughes and the
doctor to undress him, whilst the poor
Young mother downstairs pressed her hands
to her ears to shut out the cries Of pain that
seemed to'pierce her very heart. Man as
he was, Godfrey would have given a great
deal to escape the half-hour that followed,
but he was we'll rewarded by the look OF
gratitude and the low, trembling "Thank
YOU SO very much That Mrs Elton gave
him when she was allowed to enter the
room. Cecil lay white and still, quite ex-
hausted with pain and fear, but his little
hand was still in Geottrey's, and he did not
take it away even at his mothers approach.
Nothing dangerous, madam" said the
old doctor, wiping his spectacles and re-
placing them in their case. ,'He has broken
his left arm and two ribs but that is no
very serious matter. Childrens bones soon
mend; he will be running about as vel! as
ever in few eks-only keep him quiet
Mr.. Chetwynd will be useful, | fancy
Good day." and, with low bow, the little
nan departed.
Mrs. Elton, kneeling by her boy, had eyes
and thought for nothing else. Geoftrey be-
gan to feel awkward. 1t was plainly Mrs.
Elton's room that he was in, and now that
she had come and the doctor departed, he |
knew that he ought not to remain.