The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-14
Fettered, Yet Free
BARRETT SYLVESTER.
AUTHOR OF "CLoUDs AND SUNSHINE" az
TELLEs ERROR" ETC.
CHAPTER vi
FOR ErE cu1LD's sAEl

L
TO The touch, and win or lose it all
GOOD heavens A little while bGck
how should have laughed at the idea OF
any man falling hopelessly, irretrievably in
love in formght But it's solemn fact
That's your own case to q {, Mr., Geofirey
. Chetwynd.' and, with q nerve that threat
ened the life of his favorite mecrschnum,
hir. Geoffrey Chetwynd knocked the ashes
out of hi pipe on TIE heel of his boot.
Placing tho said meerschaum on the man.
tel-plcce, he glanced at himself in the little
mirror above, and even the greenness of its
glass could not disguise the healthy brown
that pervaded his good. looking visage.
And to think of the poor old governor
writing to beg would stay quite as long as
my shattered health needed" he went on,
laughing "What q humbug feel All,
Sbyl, Sibyl! My lovely, solemn little
prophecies, you have a great deal to answer
for. How she would open those great soft
gray eyes OF hers if 1 were to say SO l do
not believe she has a notion of the havoc
she is making of me, but ] have fancied
lately that her sweet fnce has frightened as
approached her. and l know she fingered on
Sunday morning for me to catch her up, but
that tireSome Eva Dayrell kept me back.
Hollo who comes here with stately tread?
Mrs. Hughes, by the piper What does she
wantW
Putting on his hat, he strolled carelessly
out to the door just as the grim-faced Hebe
of the cottage approached it, Geotfrey
knew well enough hat the woman disliGed
him, and the knowledge ave him n mis-
chievous plca,ure in teasing her. Some
times she brought Cecil to him to dine or
drink ten, or opened the door when he ac-
companied Mrs. Elton home; but as he
was still vigorously excluded from the cot
tagp. their acquaintance was but slight
"Wel, Mrs. Hughes, have you brought
me a message from Master Cecil" he as ed,
smiling "or come for cosy chat with Mrs.
Williams?"
He was quite aware of the deadly hatred
that existed between the two women and
used it as weapon to goad each in turn.
Cosy chat with her?' growled the wo-
man. "I'd sooner put my mouth to a
| spenkin trumpet and say all I'd got to say.
! Thered no humbug about that. The
| gossip! But there, | can't think o her nor
| nobody else now, with my precious lamb
lying cryin' and moanin' with pain. There's
a note for you,' and she pushed missive
| into his extended hand.
| Godfrey started and changed color.
What do you mean What is the mat
ter2" he asked in quick, sharp tones; but
she turned away, muttering:
"You must read your note and see"
GeOifrnv tore it open. 1t contained few
hurried lines all blurred and hlotted, but he
kept the tiny scrap oil his life.
Cecil has had an accident, and keeps
crying for you Please come at once.
Yours truly, SIBYL ELTON"
Geoffrey breathed more freely and in ter
strides was by the side of Mrs. Hughes.
"What is the accident?' he asked, grasp
ing her arm. "ls he in danger? Why
don't you speak out?"
"He fell over tue balusters," she moaned,
wping away the tears that We're streaming
down her rough, red face. 1--WE don't know
| how he's hurt till the doctor comes. He
screamed dreadful when We picked him up.
o my lambie-my precious boy ! and the
eobs began again.
Geohrey left her, and in five minutes
more was at the cottage. The hall-door was
open, and he walked in and listened. Ihf
low, sweet voice lie loved so well guided
him. and he passed into the drawing-room
Mrs Elton was kueeling by the sofa, will
one arm under her boys head, VIII lst the
other hand kept bathing the little white face
with eau de Cologne.
81 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 Bel
comet"
Her voice was so full of quiet agony tina
GeotIley's heart sank.
1T may not be as bad as you fancy" h
said gently. Perhaps he has broken hi
leg or arm, and that though very painful
is not dangerous"
His LETT arm is broken, know" she an
swered in the same tone "but there seem
to be some internal injury as well. He
all have. Surely Heaven is too merclfu
to take him from me"
"Ihe only son OF his mother and she wa
a widow" replied Godfrey. HE was give
back TO her"
She shuddered
"Oh. don'tr she said gaspinely. II aI
Dot Ah, here is Doctor Bell|
And her face lightened as the solemn littl
man, followed by Mrs. Hughes, entered tn
room and approached the sofa. She locke
up into the old mans face with such loo
OF agonized entreaty that Geotifey turne
away choking,
YES yes, we will see-may not be much,
he said in answer to the silent appea
; Cell over the stair-rail into the hall
: Boys, boys, always in mischief Got mor
lives than cats, though Now, Mrs. Eltol
: if you will kindly take away your arm an
leave the room, | will see to him; but v
don't want mothers at these -alwaI
? faint or do something unpleasant; or, stay
L Kim, ,,,Nt To hiS had
first This gentleman will carry him pc
: haps Mr.. Chetwynd, I believer
Geoffrey bowed and came forward, ar
1 Mrs. Elton, after moments hesitation
;, said
"He is great favorite with my little bo
and Cecil kept asking for him till vi
e obliged to send for him"
, every good, very good. Now Mr., Che
WIND, slip your arm in as Mrs. Elton r
i moves hers. Gently, gently" as Gee
J. motned and opened his eyes
Very tenderly and gently Geoffrey carrie
l. the little fellow up aud laid him on his lit
e bed and then helped Mrs. Hughes and fl
doctor to undress him, whilst the poe
young mother down stairs pressed her hanC
4 to her ears to shut out the cries of pain thi
- seemed to pierce her very heart Man {
he was, Geotlruy would have given grei
g deal to escape the halt-hour that FOLLOWED
d but he was well rewarded by the look I
l. gratitude and the low, trembling "Than
you so very much" that Mrs. Elton ga,
s, him when she was allowed to enter Il
:, room Cecil lay white and still, quite e
l. hausted with pain and fear, but his lit
hand was still in Geotfreys, and he did n,
g take it away even at his mothers approacl
A. Nothing dangerous, madam" said IL
D. old doctor, wipiug his spectacles and r
placing them in their case. "He has broke
his left arm and two ribs; but that is I
" very serious matter. Children's bones SOC