The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-02

at her. Who could do such thino?"
81 can't say, sir" said Ada; "but / do
not think am mistaken
Or. Browne was so bewildered by the
unwonted manner of her introduction to
him that he forgot this vision of the
morning was nurse; but Ada remem-
bered her position addressed him with
the manner she used in the sick rooms
quiet, but having in it an odd mixture
of defiance and Difference.
Very little more passed between them;
they walked so quickly that it was not
easy to talk. DR.. Browne covertly OBJ
served his companion very earnestly.
AS they reached the gates of the Hall
the stable clock struck five, and the
gray mist was beginning to lift little
and glide away like the ghost of the
dawn. 1t had been strange walk,
though neither thought of it at the
time; but it had the effect of making
them feel as if they had known each
other for years. The house was not
awake yet; all was just as Ada had left
1t. She gently pushed open the front
door and led the way into the dark in
terror. Up the dark staircase the two
crept, like thieves. The blinds were all
closed, and only a faint glimmer of
light came through the chinks here and
there. As the gray figure and the
white figure came noislessly up the
staircase, suddenly something started
for the door of Mrs. Mertoun's room,
and, with horrible cry, rushed across
the landing. 1t was the cry of most
awful fear. 1t made Ada feel sick, and
she longed to sit down on the stairs, for
her legs gave way beneath her. But
she would not She remembered her
latient, and, getting out the key of the
nom, opened the door and let DR..
Bovine in; then she closed it behind
than and locked it. Agatha Mertoun
lay rigid, like a lovely statue, on the
bed Her eyes were staring and fixed
andon her lips was foam. Nurse
Ha1eourt looked at her with sinking
heas was ittoo late? But she quickly
threw aside her cloak and prepared to
wait upon DR.. Browne, who soon be-
came absorbed in his task. He used
strong measures, and watched their
| effect With anxiety. Nurse Harcourt
saw, with curious sort of satisfaction,
that he vas acting upon the same idea
with regard to the case which she had
offered him. He did not reject it as i'm
possible now. For two hours this fixed
attention continued; neither left the bed
side.
At last DR.. Browne went to the win
dow and beckoned Ada to him.
&" The servants will be up now," he
said; "ask them to get you some coffee.
on look perfectly worn out"
:" believe L am rather tired" she
said; 60 but | was right, wasn't I?'
"Quite right" he said; land YOU
have saved her life by your pluck. "
Thus comforted, Ada went away in
search of the servants. On the landing
outside the door she found the man SER
want whom she had seen the night be-
fore. He was standing still, with face
full of perplexity.
gone out of his mind. He has been
queer for some time past, but not like
this
What is it?' asked Ada.
''He is sitting on his bed laughing,
and then every now and then he stops
and shrieks out suddenly that the house
is full of gray and white ghosts.
don't like tits awfulr'
Then Ada remembered that cry of
fear. He must have seen me bring
in DR.. Browne early this morning." she
said; he is in his boating flannels. Mrs.
Mertoun was much worse in the night
and | went for a doctor. DR.. Browne
had better see your master"
The man looked a good deal bewild-
cred, but recovered himself sufficiently
to agree, and DIR. Browne heard his tale.
While the servant was gone he turned
to Ada and began: "You know the house
better than l do-perhaps you can tell
me-
Better than you dor' exclaimed
Ada; not much. l only got here last
night at eleven"
-" Last night at eleventh repeated DR..
Browne. "Why, what night of adj
venture you have had! No wonder you
look worn out Well can you tell me
who to send to, because there is evil
IDENTIFY something very wrong here?"
"Yes, | can tell you that she an
swered. Il have the address of Mrs.
Mertoun's sister, who sent me down,
anu w NlOli W do W IL hOS-
essary."
THAT is all right" said DR.. Browne;
shave you ordered any breakfast"
"Not yet" she answered.
II will send the man to see that it is
got ready for you and brought to your
room. Now go straight to bed"
THANK you sir" said Ada, "but
how can l leave Mrs. Mertoun?"
II am not going away just yet; you
know l did not travel from town yes
terday. l will have her attended to,
and you shall be called in four hours. :"
"Thank you, sir" said Ada again;
and went away down the now sunlit
staircase, on which her room opened.
Thank you, SIR" repeated DR..
Browne to himself. ''What an extraor-
binary little woman it is! And what
eyes! By jove, it has been a night of
adventure.
%.Ada got into bed, drank some warm
coffee, and then fell suddenly into a
deep, dreamless sleep. 1t was the re-
pose of complete WEAKNESS. -Four hours
later the maid knocked at her door.
Ada started up broad awake in an in
slant, and as fresh as a flower In a
very short time she was dressed and at
/