The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-07-10

After they had all set off for the
fields, a man drove up to the farm
house in hot haste, asking if person
of the strangers description had been
seen there; and upon receiving reply
in the affirm ative, he looked very
much startled, and caused Hermione' s
blood to turn cold in her veins by ex-
planning the cause of his uneasiness.
He is an escaped lunatic, and
nearly killed his keeper to make his
way out of the mad-house. If lis
frenzy seizes upon him. he will make Il
bloody record for himself before the
Gay is over. Is any one here who can
90 and warn Mr.. Fellows? 1t won t
answer for me to be seen by him.. He
knows me, and it would set him frantic
to know that he has been followed.
The only safety lies in not arousing his
suspicious until a strait-jacket can
be put upon him.
Il will 60" said Hermione unhesi-
tatingly. Il would do anything 10
prevent such tragedy"
Take this with you and give it to
Mr.. Fellows. 1t is trait-jacket.
Whisper the truth about the man to
him, and tell him to watch his oppor-
tunity and take him by surprise"
She reached the place, and catching
her guardians eve, motioned him to
come to her; and, in few frightened
whispers, told him the danger that
threatened him.
Some instinct must have attracted
the lunatic's attention and conveyed to
L, Il =, 81 l.
inc of him; for, with wild cry, he
brandished the scythe he held in his
hand with threatening gestures and
shouts of frenzied fury. Then he start
ed towards them.
Louis had stopped work a moment
previous, and was about midway be-
tween his cousin and the madman.
Looking up, upon hearing the dis
cordant yells, he saw at once that
Guys life was in danger. and, throw
ing himself directly in front of the
madman, caught him about the waist
and clung to him, making himself as
much of dead weight as possible.
The swinging scythe described mad
circle in the air, and then it descended
upon Louis, giving him a fearful cut Ill
the thigh. But by this time others
had reached them, and the lunatic
was overpowered by numbers and Sc
cured.
Louis, however, lay like one dead
prostrated by the shock, and with the
blood pouring from his CHASTITY wound.
Unless it could be stanched at once,
he must bleed to death; but where
were the cloths to apply to it before a
message could be sent to the farm
house?
This question was soon answered.
Hermione was dressed in a dainty
gown of embroidered white linen, with
a mantle of the same material over ner
shoulders.
She tore this in pieces, and, kneeling
by him, applied one after another to
his wound as each in turn became wet
with blood.
Her white hands were colored Grim
son, and her dress was spotted with
the same ensanguined hue-but she
faltered not. She, who had always be-
fore felt faint, even at the sight of
blood, now untiinchingly played the
part of surgeon until more skilled help
could arrive.
In these terrible moments Hermione
first learned her hearts secret. With
out Louis the whole world would
henceforth be as nothing to her.
For long days afterwards the youth s
life trembled in the balance, but at
last his naturally strong constitution
triumphed, and he began to mend.
Guy and Hermione were rarely alb
sent from his bedside, and one day
Louis surprised them by saying, with a
faltering voice, while his pale lips
parted in a half smile:
cousin Guy, we are even. One
good turn deserves another. You
saved my reputation, and l rather
think you would have been a dead
man now if it hadn't been for me. It's
worth ones while to earn fellows
gratitude, isn't it?''
what does he mean? Is his mind
wanderingp' asked Hermione, looking
from one to the other with surprised
eyes.
''He is thinking of the handbook
you lost, Hermione. He was afraid l
would connect him with the forgery on
account of his fancy for copying
signatures.
What silly boy! l would as soon
imagine an angel from heaven could do
such thing as you, Louis" and
Hermione took his poor pale hand and
kissed it, bright tears falling upon it as
she did so, in spite of her efforts at
self-control. s.And l am sure Cousin
Guy never once thought of it, did
oil for Jc
her guardian. If you did would
never forgive you!'
Guy smiled. Her indignation was so
childishly impulsiye that it took away
the sting of her words. Then, too, he
did not deserve ii.
Gently. Hermione," he said, cor
you may hurt Louis feelings. You
won't hear Cousin Guy scolding, will
you, boyP'
But Louis mad no answer. He was
for the moment oblivious of the pres
ence or even of the existence of any
one but Hermione.
Her agitation had betrayed her secret
to him, and he was so exultantly, reck-
lessly happy that he rocked not of
anything outside of the one blissful
TACT that his love was returned by
Hermione.
Il see, It's the old. old story"
said Guy, gravely but kindly; and he
took Hermione's hand and placed it
within Louis, "and l will now leave
you alone to settle matters between
you, merely saying to you, Louis, that
the Upland Farm is yours, and that l
shall Secure IN Won tho fun5s with
which to carry it on successfully. As
you said, little while ago. "Ope
good turn deserves another;' and l
thus prove the truth of the adage. You
proved it previously in what was al
most your death"
As soon as Louis was fully recover
ed, he and Hermione were married.
1t was not until several years later
that the truth about the bank book
came out.