Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-05-24

,
the dawn. II had been a strange walk,
though neither thought OF it at the
time; but it had the effect of making
them feel rs if they had known each
other for years. The house was not
awake yet: all was just as Ada had
left it. She gently pushed open the
front door and led the way into the
dark interior. Up the dark staircase
the two crept like thieves. The blinds
were all cloied, and only faint glim-
mer of light came in through the
chinks here and there. AS tae gray
figure and the white figure came noise
lessly up the staircase, suddenly some
thing started from the door OF Mrs.
Mertoun's room, and, with horrible
cry, rushed across the landing. twas
the cry Of most awful fear. 1t made
Ada feel sick, and she longed to cit
down on the stairs, for her limbs gave
way beneath her. Blu. sac would not.
Sac remembered her patient, and get
ii out the key OF the room, opened
the door and let DR.. Browne in; then
she closed it behind him and locked it.
Agatha Mertoun lay rigid, like lovely
statue, on the bed. Her eyes were
staring and fixed and her lips were
afoam. Nurse Harcourt looked at her
with sinking heart-wss it too late?
But she quickly threw aside her cloak
and prepared TO wait upon DR.. Browne,
who soon became absorbed in his task
He used strong measures and watched
their effect with anxiety. Nurse Har-
court saw, with u curious sort of salts
faction, that he was acting upos, the
same idea with regard to the case which
see had offered him. He did not reject
it as impossible now.
At last, DR.. Browne went to the win
dow, and beckoned Ada to him.
The seryent will be up now" he
said: task them to get you some cof-
fee. You look perfectly worn out"
believe | am rather tired" she
said; "but was right, wasn't I?'
"Quite right" he said; "and you
nave saved her life by your pluck"
Thus comforted, Ada went away in
search of the servant. On the landing
outside the door she found the man,
servant whom she had seen the night
before. He was standing still, with
face full Of perplexity.
Nurse" he said, 81 believe masters
gone out of his mind. lie 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 ofgray and white ghosts.
| dent like Tits awful"
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 hannels.
Mrs. Merton was much worse in the
night and | went for doctor. DR..
Browne had better see your master"
The man looked a good deal bewild-
cred, but recovered himself sufficiently
to agree, and DR., 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 dol exclaimed
Ada; mot much. / only got here last
night at H."
'Last night at elevenl" repeated DR..
Browne. "Why, what night of ad-
venture you have hadl No wonder
you look worn out. Well, can you
tell me who to send to, because there
is evidently something very wrong
hert?'
Eyes, l can tell you that" she an
swered. 81 have the address of Mrs.
Mertoune's sister, who SEM me down
and to whom | was to telegraph if nee.
essary."
THAT is all right" said DR.. Browne;
"have you ordered ally breakfast"
mot vel" she answered.
III 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 | leave Mrs. Mertoun''
81 am not going away just yet; you
know | did not travel from town yester-
day. | 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 stair
Vase, Oi NblOA utl 4OOAD OpGHtQ'
"Thank you, SIR repeated DR..
Browne to himself. "What an extra
ordinary little woman it is And what
eyes! By joye, it has been night of
adventure"
Ada got into bed, drank soeae warm
coffee, and then fell suadeAly 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 flower. Ina very
short time she was dressed and at the
door of her patients room. The maid
was in charge. DR.. Browne had left her
with instructions what to do, and Mrs,
Mertoun seemed to be little better.
Ag ttha was lying on q heap of pillows,
looking very white and strange.
But she was evidently in less suffer
ing.
"My dear little nurse, she whispered,
when Ada bent over her, 81 know you
have saved my life. They will not tell
me where my husband is, but you will.
Is he msd?"
81 don't know anything" said Ada.