The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-18

and led the way into the dark interior. Up the
dark staircase the two crept, like thieves. The
blinds were all closed, and only faint glim-
and there As the gray figure and the white
figure camo noiselessly up the staircase, sud
denly something started from the door Of Mrs
Mertoun's room, and, with horrible cry,
rushed across the landing. It was the cry Of
she ,longed to sit down on tho stairs, for
her legs gave way beneath her But she would
not She remembered her patient. and. getting
out the key of the room, opened the door and
let DR.. Browne in; then closed it behind them,
and locked it Agatha Mertoun lay rigid, like
a lovely statue, on the bed. Her eyes were
staring and fixed, and on her lips was foam
Nurse Harcourt looked at her with sinking
heart Was it too latey But she quickly threw
aside her clio ak, 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 Harcourt saw, with
curious sort Of satisfaction, that he was act
ing upon the same idea with regard to the case
which she had offered him. He did not reject
it as impossible now. For two hours this fixed
attention continued; neither left the bedside.
At last, Dr. Browne went to the window and
beckoned Ada to him.
'sThe servants will be up now" he said; task
them to get you some coffee. You look per-
fectly worn out"
II believe am rather tired" she said; 'sbut
"Quite right" he said; 'and 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 servant whom she had seen
the night before, He was standing still, with
'Nurse," he said, II believe masters gone out
Of his mind He has been queer for some
time past but not like this"
"Nhatis lt?" asked Ada
HE is sitting on the bed laughing; aud then
every now and then he stops, aud shrieks out
suddenly that the house is full Of gray and
white ghosts Idon't like tits awful!'
Then Ada remembered that cry Of fear.
HE must have seen me bring in DR.. Browne
early this morning." she said; che is in his
boating hannels Mrs Mertoun was much
worse in the night and went for doctor. DR..
Browne had better see your master
The man looked a good deal Dewildered, but
recovered himself sufficiently to agree and Dr.
Browne heard his tale. While the servant was
gone he turned to Ada and began--ssYou know
tell me"
'Be,ter than you dol" exclaimed Ada; mot
much. I only got here last night at H."
Last night at Ill" repeated Dr.. Browne.
"Why. what night Of adventure you have
had! No wonder you look worn out Well, can
you tell me who to send to, because there is
evidently something very wrong hero?"
eyes, can tell you that" she answered IT
have the address Of Mrs. Mertoun's sister, who
sent me down, and to whom was to telegraph
If necessary"
''That Is all right" said DR.. Browne; shave
you ordered any breakfast:'
"Not yet" she answered.
"Iwill send the man to see that tits got ready
for you, aud brought 10 your room. Now go
straight to bed"
"lhank you, eli" said Ada, "but how con
leave Mrs. Mertoun."
II am not going away just yet; you know 1
did not travel from town yesterday. 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 sunllt staircase, on which
her room opened.
'Thank you, sir" repeated DR.. Browne to
himself, s.What All extraordinary little woman it
is! And what eyes! By Jove. it has been
night Of adventure"
Ada got into bed, drank some warm coffee.
and then fell suddenly into deep. dreamless
sleep 1t was the repose of complete weari-
ners. -Four hours later the maid knocked at
her door; Ada started up broad awake in an
instant, and as fresh as flower,
In very short time she was dressed and at the
charge; DR.. Browne had left her with iustruc-
tions what to do, and Mrs. Mertoun seemed to
be little better. Agatha was lying on heap
of pillows, looking very white, and wild and
strange. But she was evidently in less suffer-
SsMy dear little nurse" she whispered when
Ada bent over her. 'Tknow you have saved
my life. They will not tell me where my hus-
band is, but you will Is be mad?"
Il don't know anything" said Ada 81 have
been asleep all this time"
"He must be-" she went on. IT am sure he
was not in his right mind or be would never
have attempted what he did-you believe me,
don't you? He loved me, when lie was him
self: but sometimes he had awful fits of jeal-
ousy, when have thought before nov that he
you'd try to kill me. It was in one Of those
growing on him. When we were married
was thought beauty; and he was always fan
ewing should get tired of him. Oh, nurse, I
am sure he was not in his right mind. You
vii! tell the doctor 90, won't you?
"Yos, yes, I will said Ada, land indeed I
think so; should have said SO in any case.
And the servants told my this morning that he
was not in his right mind
':Ah! then it Will be all right" said Agatha,
with sigh OF relief. Ada understood then
band who had attempted her life, and that her
great dread was lest he should be held account
able for his attempted crime.
Late that night Zoe Conington arrived with
her husband; they brought with them "men-
tai" attendant, who immediately took entire
thing which Ada had discovered and prevented
was kept secret among the few who knew
Of it.
Every day, after Zoe arrived, Agatha in
sisted that her dear little nurse, as she always
called Ada. should go for walk The coun-
try around the Old Hall was exceedingly
beautiful; to wander about in it was
the keenest pleasure possible to tho
country-born girl. Zoe did all she could 10
make her happy, but she found that nothing
pleased her so much as the fresh air and the
wild flowers But Zoe one day carried great
piece of gossip to her sisters sick-,oom
my dear, !" she said, II know now why nurse
Ada is go fond of the field. DR.. Browne meets
her. They will be telling us they are engaged
soon!''
And so they did. One day they came in to-
gethcr with o conscious look of guilt. DR..
Browne says that when he asked Ada question
which girls reply to generally in either cent?
meutal or a scornful manner, Ada merely said,
"Thank you, six. 1.-The Waitehal Review.
A Colored Tra.eLicnne Coming.
Brooklyn Eagle: wonder who has the COL
orod tragedienne in charge? Some astute dra-
matte genius certainly has designs upon tho
purses of theater-goer for lie has been work
ing up this lady, whose name is Henriette Vim