The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-11-15

himself was restored. Ihat DOW hau con-
Quered her. -,
II was Just going to ask you, Mr.. Carglll,
what did Mr. Ross look like when you gave
him that dram from your flask? Did lie
look as il he had been drinking"
This was extremely disagreeable in sew
eral ways, but particularly because it took
his mind entirely away from the arrange
ment Of the pretty phrases in which he was
to express the thought which was upper
most in it. His answer was 50 prompt tbat
to her quick wit it seemed to have been
studied.
II really did not think so, or you may be
sure | would have been the last person in
the world to add to the poor fellows aill c.
tion-to say nothing of the fact that con i'd
Grafton for our safety would have prevented
me doing So"
did you speak to him.
For few minutes, yes"
"And he answered you sensibly enough"
II must say that so far as my recollection
goes. he did. No one was more surprised
| than when the real state Of the case was
brought so unpleasanty before us. But OF
course had no suspicion that he could be
guilty Of such-such stupidity"
use; for he desired to show friendly dispo-
sition towards Ross
THANK you, Mr.. Cargill 1t was pity
you gave him that DRAM"
She turned away, looking anKiously for
the return of Campbell with the doctor.
Cargill's heavy paw rested on her arm.
! Are you forgetting Miss Murray that
asked TO be allowed to speak to your
NO"
"Then permit me to do so now Che had
resumed his grand air and the tiabby smile
which he thought so winning. lyon know
the question | want to ask; your father
wishes You 10 say yes; and | need not say
! that desire you to say yes,
She turr,d upon him those clear bright
eyes and hat fair troubled face.
II will speak honestly, Mr.. Cargill, and it
will save you and me a heap of vexation,
maybe. know what you mean, and | tell
you once for all that as long as live my
answer will be the same to you rs 1t Is now
you can never have yes from me-"
but your father would ike It,
GAY, but lie would never wish me to do
what do not like and do not think would
be right"
The man was not wooeT; he had not the
feelings of one. So instead II persuading,
instead of feeling that he must give every
thing TO win the one object he desired, he
felt his pride wounded, he drew up his big
frame and used reproach.
ut cannot be that after what has happen
ed you still think Of this man, Ross! You
yourself said that man who could disgrace
himself as he has done would not be worth
think about"
She felt her checks tingling and she look
ed down as she spoke in a low voice.
You have no business with what ! may
think, Mr.. Cargill."
Then she looked up and her eyes bright
ened again as she CRED: Here's the doc
tor"
1t was curious how the pride-puifed form
of Cargil appeared to collapse at that an
nouncement and he skunk back \ few PAGES.
Campbell came forward with a grey-hair-
ed, notwithstanding gentleman, whose
fresh, healthy face gave evidence that lie
lived much out of doors. On the way to the
steamer Campbell had told DR.. Pratt the
circumstances OF the case, and he was ready
to see the patient at once Annie went
down to the cabin with him, and, after some
hesitation, Cargill followed, but stopped al
the foot of the stair.
Ross was lying on the seat where he had
fallen when he made his attempt to leave.
He was again in a state Of stupor Captain
Duncan was moving restiessly about; Jock
Burns was standing by, stolid and ind fer
ent.
Annie watched the doctors face eagerly
liI ,l
waited, breathless for his verdict.
The doctor treated the case in a brisk, Off
hand way as one Of mere drunkenness, and
Annir's heart ached with shame.
"lie is a strong, healthy fellow" he said,
"and there is nothing the matter with him
except that he has had drop too much. Put
him into a berth and let him sleep il OFF.
He'll be all right when he wakens.'
Then the doctor, too, was against her; he
asa found that common explanation for the
cOnd,tiO of Ross. Annie felt that the last
hope of convincing her father that there
was "A mistake was gone. According to the
doctor, there had been no fit" no sudden
attack Of illness only that vulgar crime of
drunkenness.
But she had faith, and she did not despair
even now.
Ross wakened in his berth early in the
morning; but he was not yet "all right" as
the doctor had predicted he would be. He
was certainly much better; but he was still
confused, and for little while unable to
comprehend his position.
Then it flashed upon him with cruel vivid
neSs-the drink-the disgrace.
lie could not yet recollect all that had
happened but enough was clear to make
him anxious TO get away from the Mermaid
without causing more pain to Annie. With
that thought he turned out of the berth and
soused his head we'll In cold water. Then
he had only to pull on his boots and fasten
his neckte for his clothes had not been
taken off, That done, he made his way to
the deck, purposing to go on shore and take
the first train home. What was TO be done
afterwards would be decided when his head
was clearer.
Early as it was, however, Captain Duncan
was already astir, and as soon as Ross APP
peared from below, they met.
II am sorry for you, Bob; but it's the best
thing you can do to gang hame by train. |
81, IL 4 h,.. .,