Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-02-15

charge; she was full of anxiety as to
what might have happened in her absence.
You know" said DR.. Browne present
~, this thing can't be possible she is
noted beauty, the men that stay in l.ostay
vii 60 to church to look at her. Who could
do such thing?"
II can't say. Sir" said Ada; ''but 1 do
not think I am Mistaken
DR.. Browne was so much bewlldered by
the unwonted manner of her introduction
to him that he forgot that this vision of the
morning was nurse; but Ada remember
ed her position, and addressed him with
the manner she used in sick room.-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 covertly observ-
ed his companion very earnestly.
AS they reached the gates Of the la II
the stable clock struck 5. aud the gray
mist was beginning to lift little and
glide away like the ghost of the dawn. 1t
had been a strange walk, though neither
thought of it at the time, but it had the
effect of making them feel as 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 we're all
closed, and only faint glim mer of light
came In through the chinks here and there.
AS the gray figure and the white figure
Came noiselessly up the staircase, sudden
ly something started from the door of Mrs.
Mertoun's room, and, with horrible cry,
rushed across the landing. 1t was the cry
of a most awful fear. It 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, getting out the keys of the
room, opened tle door and let DR.. 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, and on her lips
was foam. Nurse HarcouIt looked at
her with sinking heart-was 1T too later
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 Harcourt
saw, with a curious sort of satisfaction &,
that he was acting upon The same idea
with regard to the case which she had
offered him. He did not reject 1t as i'm.
possible now. For two hours this fixed
attention continued; neither left the bed
side.
At last DR.. Browne went to the window
and beckoned Ada to him.
1.-THE servants will be up now" he said;
TASK them to get you some coffee. You
look perfectly worn out"
II believe am rather tired" she said;
,'but l Was right, wasn't l ?"
Quite right" he said. land you have
saved her life by your pluck"
Thus comforted Ada went away in
search of the servants. Ga the land ing
outside the door she found the man servant
whom she had seen the night before. He
was standing still, with q face full Of per.
plexty.
Nurse" he said. II believe master g
gone out Of his mind. He has been queer
for some time past, but not like this. He
is sitting on his bed laughing and
then every now and then he stops, and
shrleks out suddenly that the house is full
of gray and white ghosts. don t like it
It's 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 fannels. Mrs. Mertoun
was much worse in the night and 1 went
for doctor. DR.. Browne had better see
your MASTER"
The man looked good deal bewildered,
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 do-perhaps you can tell me-
''Better than you do ?" exclaimed Ada;
mot much. I only got here last night at
H."
LAST night at II p repeated DR..
Browne. why, what night of adven-
ture you have had No wonder you look
worn out. Well, can you tell me who to
send to, because there is evidently some
thing very wrong here"
"Yes, l can tell you that" she answer
ed" have the address of Mrs. Mertoun's
sister, who sent me down, and to whom l
was to telegraph if necessary"
That is all right" said DR.. Browne;
shave you ordered any breakfast p"
Mot yet she answered.
81 will send the man to see that it is
gotten ready for you, and brought to your
room. Now 60 straight to bed"
"Thank you. sir said Ada, "but how
can leave Mrs. Mertoun ?"
81 am not going away just yet; you
you know did not travel from town YES
terday. l will have her attended to, and
you shall be called in four hours.
"Thank you, slr,' said Ada again, and
went away down the now sunlit staircase @.
on which her room opened.
''Thank you. SIR" repeated Br. Browne
to himself. what an extraordinary little
woman it is 4! 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 COM
plete WEAKNESS. Four hours later the
maid knocked at the door, Ada started mp
broad awake in an Instant, and as fresh as
a flower. In very short time she was
dressed and at the door of her PATIENTS