Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-06-08


her. Suddenly On her ear fell the
sound of laughter high, clear, hearty
laughter; but nevertheless the sound
encouraged her. 1t came again and
again, and guided her steps out of the
high road into wonderfully quiet lane.
The laughter still went on aheai, like
mocking spirit. as will-o'-the- -wisy.
But suddenly Ada found herself close to
a little cottage, every window Of which
was brilliantly Illuminated from
within, The lower, windows
reached to the ground and stood
open, exhibiting all the signs of late
revel. Empty decanters and bottles,
innumerable glasses, some packs of cards
on the hoor-these things caught Ada's
quick eye and made her wonder; while
leaning on the gate of the cottage was an
extremely handsome young man dressed
in white tlannels. He looked at Ada
with the steady gaze of astonishment.
He was immensely surprised at
the sight OF a young lacy in gray, with
an extremely charming face, taking Il
walk at four O'Clock on misty morning.
Without seconds hesitation she ap-
preached him.
Can you tell me where can find the
doctors house?" she said. "a man J. met
told me to come this way"
Her earnest tone seemed to rouse him
and make him understand that she was
out on business.
CDR. Frere is the nearest resident doc
tor" he said, land he lives about six
miles off, over there" pointing the wav
Ada had come. "But if there is any
thing can do, let me help you. l ANA
DOCTOR"
"You?" said Ada, her gaze wandering
from his sun-burned face, which had on
it the unmistakable up-all- night express
sion, to his white tiannel-clad figure and
then to the cottage beyond, W hich looked
so absurd, in the growing daylight, with
q quantity Of dying candles burning on
the table.
"It's all right" he said, seeming to
understand her perpleXity. "Pm Alan
Browne. of Wimpole-st. Pm down here
for the boating, and I've been having a
bachelor party. Didn't you hear that
| had to get four of the others to take
him AVA"
Il know your name," said Ada, earn
estly. Come with me. I am nurse
from Mr.. Edgar's Home. I'm in charge
Of Mrs. Mertcun up at the Hall, and she s
dying. If you don't come at once itmay
be too late"
Whats the matter with herr" said
DR.. Browne. "I've got pocket med:
cine case here; shall bring it?'
Nurse Harcourt leaned on the gate and
said something in scarcely audible
voice; then she took out the bottle from
.ler pocket, and held it up for his in
spection.
"Impossiblew he exclaimed.
Come and save her." said Ada SOL
emnly. DR.. Browne turned, hurried in
to the cottage, and in little more than a
minute reappeared with small case in
his hand. Seeing him ready to follow
| her. Ada Immediately started off as
Quickly as possible on her return road.
| the little cottage, with all its windows
open and its candles burning to show its
disorder to any passer-by who might
chance to wander that way.
| "You are very good walker" said
Dr.. Browne, when he had got up with
her.
"I believe l am" said Ada, and went
quickly on without any further remark
These two, going swiftly through the
pale, ghostlike morning mist, would
have looked strange to any one who
could have seen them. Both were very
| pale; DR.. Browne had got rather bored
by his bachelor party, which had lasted
too late for his taste; and then he had
| been somewhat startled by Ada and
what she had said. Nurse Harcourt was
white with excitement and fatigue, al.
though she did not knowit nor know
that she was weary. She was intent up
on returning to her charge; she was full
pened in her absence.
| ttVn,, know - said DR. Proupa ,,rao
emily, "this thing can't be possible. she
Lostayvl go to church to look at her T
Who could do such thing?'
~ can't say, sir" said Ada; "but dc
not think l am mistaken"
| DIR. Browne was so bewildered bv the
unwonted manner of her Introduction
to him that he forgot this vision of the
morning was nurse: but Ada remem-
bered her position, and addressed him
with the manner she used in sick rooms
i 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 CO.
! verify observed his companion very
| earnestly.
| AS they reached the gates of the Hall
viz Ste1plC SioSh otluCh HNC. anu Iilc 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 il
| had the effect of making them feel as if
they had known each other 70
years. The house was not awake vet; ali
| was just as Ada had left it! She gently
pushed open the front door and led the
way inio the dark interior. Up the
dark staircase the two crept like thieves.
The blinds were all closed, and only a
faint glimmer of light came in through
the chinks here and there. AS the gray
figure and the white figure came noise
lessly up fhe staircase, suddenly some
thing started from the door of Mrs.
Mertoun's room, and with a horrible
cry rushed across the landing. 1t was
the cry Of q 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 patient, and get
ting out the key of the room, opened
the door and let DIR. Browne in; then
she closed it behind them, and locked
it. Agatha Mertoun lay rigid, like
lovely statue on the bed. Her eyes
were staring and fixed on her lips was a
foam. Nurse Harcourt looked at her
with sinking heart-was it too late?
But she quickly threw aside her cloak
and prepared to wait upon DR.. Browne,