The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-09-12

blood, little savage?" she asked.
Beny's only reply was to skip gayly
along from side to side of the steep
narrow path; then turning round with
an arch look on her bright little face,
she cried out:
"Oh, 1 don't know 1 only wish
something would happen. I'd even
wish you would find your object if
that would make any difference be-
tween Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Satur-
day and Sunday again r. and out of
breath she skipped little too far out
on the outer edge Of the path and fell
headlong upon the rocks below, before
the frightened Bruno could reach her
"Oh, Beny, Beny." she cried. Why
are you so careless 2" and she hastened
forward half expecting the merry child
would spring up in an ecstasy of fun
at having succeeded in frightening her
more timid or rather less reckless sis
ter. But the little twisted body
seemed almost lifeless, it was so rigid,
and all Brune's efforts to take her up
only ayailed to elicit means of pain.
Throwing her arms about her, she
lifted her as tenderly as possible. and,
with trembling limbs, carried her
swiftly down the steep winding walk
TO the house.
All, Bruno, Bruno, little did you
think when you climbed the hill seek
ing your "obiect," that it would be
thus you should find it.
1t is almost impossible to describe
the scene of distress and confusion
that ensued, a short time after, when
Bruno, with pale, awe-struck counte-
nance, almost fainting with fatigue
and fright, but with brave light, for
all, in her eyes and firm look about
her sweet mouth, entered with her
burden. Gently placing Berenice upon
a lounge, she explained the accident in
fewest words to her father, soothed
her mother with ready and kind SYM
pathy, and endeavored in vain to sub
due the noisy grief of the nurse, an old
Irish country woman, who saw here
fine opportunity for a "whillelu !"
She had met one of the servants as
she came in and dispatched him for
DR.. Mearns, their trusted physician,
and now she busted herself bathing
the injured child's face and trying to
arouse her from the stupor into which
she had fallen.
Beny's body was still strangely con-
torted and her breathing heavy and
unnatural Professor Middleton seemed
in maze, and looked helplessly toward
his wife, who was fully occupied in
quieting the frightened and excited
children, who cast fearful glances
upon the helpless form of their once
merry Berenice. In the midst of the
confusion there came a gentle knock
at the door, which was replied to by
general rush to open it, every one fan
cying it to be DR.. Mearns. The tall
figure standing before them appeared
quite abashed, anl saying apologeti-
cally:
"I beg pardon. I thought might
be of service, perhaps was about to
retreat when his hands were gra5ped
by Professor Middleton, who drew him
into the room, saying:
"Come in Come in, doctor ! You
may relieve her. DR.. Hartley, my
DEAR" to his wife, and-"my daughter,
sir" he added, turning to Bruno.
Burne, looking anXiously into his face,
began telling how Berenice had fallen;
but before she had finished, although
DIR. Hartley heard all that she said,
the room was quite clear of the eX-
cited group of servants and children,
and he was carefully examining the
little one. A grave look overshadowed
his face, but while he cut away her
twisted clothing and applied something
pungent and aromatic to her forehead
and nose she appeared to revive. Then
DR.. Hartley looking around was met
by Professor Middleton and DR..
Mearns, and Bruno left the room, anX-
ious, yet dreading the result Of the ex
animation. Her father came forth
looking much agitated, and in answer
to her inquiring face kissed her twice,
saying quite brokenly:
"Brune, your sister is much hurt.
The fall has injured her spine" and he
disappeared into the study, whittier no
one ever dared to follow. Bruno went
to her mother, who was greatly dis
tressed for little Berenice, but whose
anxieties were also reused in behalf of
badly Jean, who with the usual con-
sideration of babies showed dangerous
symptoms of Group. She sent Bruno
back to Berenice, saying: "The
charge of her must devOlve upon you
for the present. Constant watchful-
ness and care are required :" and, see
ing in her daughters face the same
brave, steady look that it had worn
when she came in with Berenice in her
arms, she cried:
Bless you, my daughter, what
should do without you to depend
upon?" Tears sprang to Brune's eyes
ana her heart swelled with pleasure at
these words. She was of use, after all,
and she had a place to fill. Although
she realized the danger her dear little
sister was in, it was a relief to find