Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-02-15
thing to drive in ?"

"p0' shay" and two horses for her. A dri-
yer was extracted from the bar. where he
was drinking, he came out surlily, and
getting on the box after Ada and her lug
gage hal been waiting some time 10 the
''shay," began to whip the horses. This
amusement he continued to indulge in
until they arrived at the ''Old Hail." TAX
ing the horses at rapid gallop, up hill and
down dale.
The Old Hall stood high, with wide
lawn about it, dotted by clumps Of fine
trees. On the way Ada was charmed by
glimpses Of the winding silver stream and
the wooded hills about it. All was very
lovely. yet something in the aspect Of the
Old Hall made her shiver as she approach.
ed. 1t was very dark; only one window
seemed dimly lit; the front door appeared
to be Theoretically sealed. But Ada cour.
ageously rang and knocked, and, while
she waited for an answer, filed up the
time by paying her sully driver the fab
ulous sum he demanded Of her. At last
the door moved; it opened slowly. and on
the steps stood tall man.
"Are you the nurse ?" he said.
Eyes," answered Ada.
II didn't suppose you could get here to-
night. Well. come in.'
The coachman whipped up his horses in
the familiar style and ratified away. A
servant who looked like groom came cut
and lifted Ada's box in the hall. A lamp
stood on the table there, and by its light
Ada tried to discover what sort of house
she was in. She was standing in big
old-fashioned hall or house-place. Oppo.
site her. his hands deeply buried in bis
pockets, stood the man who was evidently
master.
II told the maid to get room ready fol
YOU" he said. THE man shall light you
up there. and you can see my wife in the
morning. Shall he bring you some sup.
per ?"
IF you please" said Ada. "First, III
take off my hat, and, if you will allow me-
III 60 to my patient at once.''
Nonsense! said Mr.. Mertoun; ''you
must sleep after journey"
But it is my duty to see ner first, il
you please, SIR"
Ada followed the man-servant upstairs
to little bedroom, where he left her
saying be would bring her some supper
She washed her hands and combed out bel
hr;obt bo;r Whop bo 40 ~, a boob Ohio co III
''Shall find Mr.. Mertoun downstairs"
"He's gone to his own room," said thu
groom, ''and he says missus is asleep. and
not to be disturbed.'
(which is her room ?" asked Ada. s'I
must know because have come down to
nurse her."
''I'll show you the door," said the man
He led her little way along corridor
and pointed up short staircase. 1.-THE
door on the left," he said, and immediate
ly hurried off. carrying his light with him
"This is queer house, thought Ada
However, she found her way to her own
room by the glimmer Of light from its
doorway. Then, taking her candle, she
went straight to the door of the room the
man had shown her. She knocked gently;
there was no answer. So she quietly turn.
ed the handle and looked in. A solitary
candle lit the large room, She could but
dimly perceive that on the bed lay wo
man who, seeing her. started up as if in
terror, and then fell helplessly back again
Evidently this was the sick-room. Ada
shut the door, put down her candle and
approached the bed.
Don't be frightened" she said; II am
a nurse your sister has sent down to take
care of you.
81 thought you were spirit" said
Agatha Nertoun; II have had strange
visions to-day" Then she relapsed into q
silence and seemed to forget Ada's pres.
ence. After while she spoke again. 81
am dying" she said.
Ada went close to her and looked in bel
eyes. They were very strange. Suddenly
che unhappy woman was seized with 8
violent sickness. Ada, with her quich
wits. noticed some things which made hel
wonder. When her patient, weary and
exhausted, lay bach again on her pillow
abe began to make tour of the room
There were great many bottles in differ
ent places. She took out all the corks and
smelIed at the contents. Suddenly, while
thus engaged, she happened to look TO-
ward the bed, and met Agatha's eyes fixed
on her with a gaze full of some extraor
binary meaning or intelligence. It almost
frightened even the brave Ada. She put
down the bottle quickly and went to the
bedside. But Agatha had closed her eyes
as if too weak to keep them open. Looking
earnestly at her, Nurse Harcourt realized
how wonderfully lovely she was, in spite
of the deadly pallor which lay on her face
Suddenly the sickness came again anG
then violent sDasm.
"This is queer sort Of an8mia," sale
Ada to herself, and, after long look a,
her patient, began to smell at the physit
bottles. Just then she heard faint SOUND
at the door. Hastily approaching 1T and
opening it, she saw Mr.. Mertoun disap
pearinq through the opposite door. III.
wanted to watch me-, she thought NOW
what can this mean ?" She locked thu
door inside and continued her investiga
lions. Suddenly she came upon bottle
inside cupboard. nearly empty, the smell
from which almost made her cry ont Rn,
she remembered her patient and refrain.
ed. She merely pus the bottle into bel
pocket, and then, without hunting about
any more, went back to watch poor
Agatha. The color of her face grew stead
lily worse and her weakness was rapidly
increasing.
"What on earth am to do?' exclaim
ed Nurse Hartcourt az last, tin this out.
h,, a