The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-02-27
LOVE OR MONEY;
OR,
A PERILOUS SECRET.
by CHARLES READE,
Author of Put Yourself in His Place"
etc., ETC., etc.
CHAPTER XIV.
STRANGE COMPLICATIONS.

and conceive, III you can, what that
mother felt whose only son sickened,
and, after racking her heart with hopes
and fears, died before her eyes, and was
placed in his coffin and carried to his
rest. Yet One in the likeness of man
babe the bearers stand still, then, with
a touch, made the coffin open, the dead
come back, blooming with youth and
health, and handed him to his mother.
That picture no mortal mind can
realize; but the effort will take you so
far as this: you may imagine what Wal
ter Clifford felt when, almost at the
climax Of despair, he received from that
living tomb the good and beautiful
creature who was the light Of his eyes
and the darling of his heart.
How he gloated on herl How he muir
INJURED words Of comfort and JOY over
her as the cage carried her and Hope
and him up again into the blessed sun
shine! And there, what a burst of ex-
ultation and honest rapture received
them!
Everybody was there. The news of
Hopes signal had been wired to the
surface. An old original telegraph had
been set up by Colonel Clifford and its
arms set flying to tell him. That old
campaigner was there, with his spring
break and mattresses, and an able ply
stefan. BARLEY was there, pale and old,
and trembling and crying. He fell on
drew back from him with repulsion; but
he cried out: mo matter! no matterl
They are saved! they. are saved!"
Walter carried her to his father, and
left BARLEY kneeling. Then he dashed
back for Hope, who did not move and
found him on his knees insensible. A
piece of coal, driven by one of the mems
picks, had struck him on the temple.
The gallant fellow had tried to hide his
hurt with his handkerchief which was
Observation-Disclosures ndthe man exhausted
by hunger, violent emotions, and this last
blow, feltneither his trouble nor his Joy.
He was lifted with tender pity into the
break, and the blood stanched, and
stimulants applied by the doctor. But
Grace would have his head on her bosom,
and her hand in Walters. Fortunately,
the doctor was no other than that ply
stefan who had attended Colonel Cliff
ford in his dangerous attack of internal
govt. We say fortunately. the patients
who have endured eXtremities of hunger
have to be treated with very great skill
and caution. Gentle stimulants and
mucilages must precede solid food, and
but little Of anything be taken at q
time. Doctor Garner began his treat
ment in the very break. The first
spoonful of egg and brandy told upon
Grace Hope. Her department had been
strange. She had seemed confused at
times, and now and then she would cast
look of infinite tenderness upon Wal
ter, and then again she would knit her
brow and seem utterly puzzled.
But now she gave Walter look that
brought him nearer to her.and she said,
with heavenly smile, You love me
best; better than the other" Then she
began to cry over her father.
Better than the other" said Walter,
aloud. "What otherY
"Be quiet" said the doctor. "DO you
really think her stomach can be empty
for six days, and her head be none the
worsep Come, my dear, another spoon
full. Good grill Now let me look at
you, Mr.. Walter"
"Why, what is the matter with hirn|'
said the Colonel. II never saw him look
better in all my life"
Indeed! Red spots on his cheek
bones. ditto on his temples, and his
eyes glaring."
Excitement and happiness" said Wal
ter.
The doctor took no notice of him.
"He has been outraging nature" said
he, "and she will have her revenge. We
are not out of the wood yet, Colonel
Clifford, and you had better put them
all three under my command"
81 do, my good friend; ! do" said
(. Colonel Clifford, eagerly. ut is your
department, and don't believe i'll two
commanders"
They drew up at the great door of
Clifford Hall. 1t seemed to open of it
self, and there were all the servants
drawn up in two lines.
They all showed eager sympathy, but
only John Baker and Mrs. Milton ven
said Colonel Clifford. "But it is our
turn now. They are all in the Doctors
hands. My whole household, obey him
to the letter. 1t is my order. Doctor
Garner, this is Mrs, Milton, my house.
keeper. You will find her good lieu
tenant"
"Mrs. Milton" said the doctor, sharp
ly, "warm baths in three rooms, and to
bed with this lot Carry Mr.. Hope up;
he is my first patient, bring me eggs,
milk, brandy, new port-wine. Cook!'
"Sirp"
Hammer three chickens to pieces
with your rollingpin, then mince them;
then chuck them into big pot with
cold water. stew them an hour, and
then boil them to a jelly, strain and
serve. Meantime, send up three slices
of mutton half raw; we will do little
chewing, not much"
The patients submitted like lambs,
only Walter grumbled a little, but at
last confessed to headache and sud-
den WEAKNESS.
Julia Clifford took special charge of
Grace Hope. the doctor of William
Hope, and Colonel Clifford sat by Wal
ter, congratulating. soothing, and en-
couraging him, until he began to doZe.
Doctor Gamers estimate of his pa
tients proved correct The next day
Walter was in a raging fever; Hope re-
NAMED in a pitiable state of weakness;
and Grace, who in theory was the weak
or vessel, began to assist Julia liz lIurs-
ing them both. To be sure, she was all
whip-cord and steel beneath her delicate
skin, and had always been active and
temperate. And then she was much
the youngest, and the constitutions of
such women are anything but weak.
Still. il was most elastic recovery
from n great shock.
But the more her body recovered its
ctrenoth and her brain its clpariIpss