The Osceola times., 1878-01-26

At this point he began 10 look for other
assistance, when he observed & light upon
the hill above the creek. Once more raising
the body TO the pommel Of his saddle and
mounting behind 1t, he sought the road.
One stepped around TO receive the woman,
and another entered the house to procure
the stimulant.
"Whats this ?" said the one who was as
sisting the traveller in dismounting the wo.
man.
"Send for the nearest physician, at once"
They lifted the motionless but reviving
form into the house, and deposited it upon
a sofa.
The stimulant was soon brought, and,
upon small portion Of it being administer
ed, the woman indicated an increased vital
ity by broken gurgle. This. after while,
gave way TO clearer articulation, in which,
however, only syllables were emitted. These
were In turn succeeded by one or two sharp
cries Of pain, which gradually subsided into
moaning, chatter Of wailing, incoherent
sentences.
At this point the stranger, in raising his
hand TO her head to brush the tangled hair
from her brow, noticed clot of blood upon
the wet skin Of his finger; rubbing 1t Of, he
found no trace of awound.
"She must be bleedingw he calculated.
"See II there is cut anywhere"
An examination soon revealed CHASTITY
wound, an ugly, gaping abrasion upon the
left side OF the head, above the ear, and just
behind the temple. The locks were matted
over it, and the blood still oozed slowly from
its mouth.
Pending the astival of doctor, the stran.
ger clipped the hair from around the wound,
and, after bathing it with feminine tender.
he ta IN 10 nj n
of the ladies of the house, who were in at
tendance.
n
al presume you are the host sir" said he,
at once, addressing the elder OF the two. "lf
you will be kind enough to let me have a
bed until can rest for an hour or so and
dry my clothing, shall resume nv journey
under great obligation 10 you. Matters OF
Importance urge me TO lose no time, and
shall only delay until my horse can recruit
for the balance of my ride. In fact, but for
the incident Of finding the unfortunate lady
in the creek, J should have continued on
the road without consulting my comfort so
far"
"will you tell me how you happend upon
the adventure, and how you account for the
lady's wound and present condition?
The traveller gave a brief account of the
light upon his own identity or business.
"May ask your name, sir" inquired the
hos, whom we will introduce to the reader
as Mr.. Thornton, or Squire Thornton, as he
was dubbed by his neighbors in honor of his
being a Justice of the peace.
al beg pardon for the misconstruction.
My name is Gaspard Durer, a short while
since a soldier in the French service. Do
you see anything in my appearance or any.
thing else about this case which justifes you
in interrogating me otiicially%
"Un.il one who is found with body that
has been murdered or dangerously assaulted
has accounted satisfactorily for his presence
there, there is a legal suspicion fixed upon
him."
X
"if must be detained to satisfy the law,
| yield to the annoyance with as little i'm
patience as possible, where the officer of the
law exercises his duties SO courteously."
After few more remarks were passed,
the squire bade his son Eddie conduct the
gentleman TO his room and see him well pro.
vded for the night.
After the traveller had left, the vagrant
still fingered. Shifting his hat restlessly
but mechanically, he seemed to resume a
conversation which hal probably been in.
terrupted by the stranger exit from the
stable.
"'Pears TO me now"-an expression which
indicated the result OF some mighty reflec'
ton for his calibre-"'Pears to me rs he
amt telln' the truth. He amt named Gas.
per Deray. because he'd a said no fust. Pears
to me he looks like old Raoul Dupuy, and
Castor afore him; and, If l amt mistaken,
he's been in these parts afore."
| "Who's the woman RandyY
al have been lookin' at her, but pears to
me | never seen her afore-leastways, she
don't come from about here"
"The resemblance Of Durer to the Dupuys
is striking, and thought at first he was the
son Of Castor, who has been absent so long.
What think YOU, my sonT'
Cant say, father, but his resemblance to
Mr.. Dupuy at the manor would be noticed by
any one."
. son of bupuy himself, il half they bring
rom furrin parts about him is erect; pears
to me he must have more'n one.
"A1d your friend Raoul sin't too good for
a fraud or a lie," ehirped the vagrant.
awe will dispense with your comments on
the characters Of my friends" retorted the
squire.
'"No offence, squire, but 'spense or no
'spense, knows the laws, and alters take
care to have proof afore l says libel on any
man."
"What do you know of Raoul Dupuy
villain, that you dare maintain such thing
concerning his character, which is polluted
by your mention of il"
"Never mind what know, squire, so long
as | amt said it," answered the tramp.
"What is your opinion, doctor ~ asked
the squire.
at is rather early TO ask an opinion about
the patient, squire. The skull is fractured,
and it may be necessary 10 trepan it, II any
portion is bearing on the BRAIN"
"Do you think the blow will permanently
affect her brain, or that she will be sound in
mind should she recover"
at the pressure OF the bone upon the
brain be removed. she will doubtless recover
her senses. But until she is completely well
again, and even after, no risk must be taken
in the case. Absence of excitement or noise
Is indispensable ,aseie slightest mental shock
might make her raving maniac. Blows
upon that region Of the head have been
known to deprive persons of the power of
speech, and If she is not keptperfectly quiet,
she may recover only to linger oat a dumb
existence"
After breakfast a servant whom the squire
had despatched acpo1 the creek upon his
first arising, returned with the information
that Mr.. Taylor-the gentleman whom the
stranger had left at his gate on the road
would be over Immediately after breakfast.
Upon the arrival of Mr.. Taylor, he and the
squire retired for a consultation, to which
they after while called Randy, the vagrant.
They then returned to the traveller, and,
after hearing his account once II ore, and
comparing the time Of his leaving Mr.. Tay-
lor with that Of his arrival at the squire's,
they proceeded to the creek in company.
Ifnon fhair Arrival iha aoaiirn addrasood