The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-26

WIlllC llCT nurse was
If there was change in her face it was
at the name of Grace, but the frown was
so slight as scarcely to perceptible, and be-
yond this she might have been a lay figure
for all the heed she paid to the man who
had once the power above all others to
move her to respond to his devotion.
"What is the matter with her? What
has caused this changer" he asked fear
fully, all his eager delight turned to grief
and dismay.
"Her head has been injured; my son de-
clares that she was thrown down the secret
vault of which he speaks" was the rep y;
but come into the next room, and Frank
will give you his own account about it.
You shall see her again if you desire it be-
fore you CO. but she is best left alone. l
hoped your presence might rouse her, but
you see she takes no more notice of you
than she does of me"
Roland tried once again to win glance
of recognition from the woman he loved,
but all in vain; the body was alive, the
reasoning soul was dormant or dead.
More depressed if possible than he had
been when he thought he had lost her for
ever, he followed Mrs. Fairfield into the
room where Frank was waiting them.
GLOW long has she been like this 2 he
asked dejectedly.
'Her mind has been gone since the hour
you last saw her. was the reply; "but
she is stronger in health than she has been
since that dreadful night, and [ believe her
reason may be restored to her. Modern
science has worked even greater miracles. "
at may bet may be-" assented Ro-
land drearily; 'but you have not told me
how she came here"
"No. When [ told my mother, she
would not believe me" replied Frank with
iIl-concealed bitterness, "but you, who know
what happened before Kate was lost, may
not be so sceptical eff you doubt me,
however, 1 can take you to the very spot
where she fell at my feet"
"There is no reason why should doubt
you," replied Roland sadly. "Mr. Lii
burn, who knew you well, could not have
spoken more highly of you had you been
his own son, and it is evident his daughter
has not wanted for kindness at your hands
or at those of your mother
"No. We would give our lives to do
Miss Kate a service but whether | acted
wisely or not in bringing her here [ leave
you and her father to judge. did what
I believed to be the best
II am sure you did; and now tell me
what happened"
Fairfield complied. He made no at
tempt to shield himself, or in any way to
hide the hopeless love that on Christmas
night seemed to gain the mastery over him.
II had no intention of speaking to Miss
Kate" he said humbly II should have
turned away in silence if [ had met her
face to face, but wanted to look at her,
and after [ had been wandering round the
castle in the cold for hours, an impulse that
I could not conquer or control drove me to
the old tower and get into the building by
the secret entrance had used when boy"
Roland did not interrupt him as he lis
tened with breathless attention while Fair
field described how he wrapped Kate in
his ulster, carried her to the river, placed
her in boat, and brought her through
the darkness and the thickly-falling snow
all those weary miles to his mothers house.
Vividly as though he had been with
him, Roland seemed to see the scene, and
he said frankly when Fairfield paused in his
narrative:
eff [ had been you believe [ should
have acted as you did, and think now
that it was the wisest course to take. If
Grace really tried to kill her sister, she
would have found some means to ac-
complish her end eventually, and in poor
Hates condition she could neither protect
herself nor expose the traitress."
''That was my feeling with regard to
the person, whoever he or she might be,
who had been guilty of such piece Of
cruelty and treachery," responded Frank.
Il knew that Miss Kate must be seri-
ously injured" he went on, "for such a
fall was enough to kill her; but [ did not
for moment anticip pate that reason would
so completely and permanently desert her
as it has done.
The depressing silence that ensued was
broken by Mrs Fairfield, who expressed her
opinion that Mr.. Lilburne ought to be ac-
quainted with his daughters condition, and
his consent obtained to any operation that
might endanger her life.
But Roland said positively:
''No; Mr.. Lilburne has suffered enough,
and the shock of knowing Hates condition,
coupled with the fact that in all probability
Grace is the cause of it, might have fatal
effect upon him. She is supposed by many
to be dead already, but this is not the opin-
ion of her father, for [ heard yesterday
from mutual friend that Grace is very
indignant with him because he will not al
low her to put on mourning for her sister,
neither will he sanction the assumption that
his eldest daughter is dead.
"Then what do you propose?' asked
Mrs. Fairfield with sigh Of resignation.
"Miss Kate is known here as my daughter;
do you wish her to stay here as she is ?"
Il wish her to remain with you until
she regains her reason-if she ever does
but where you and she go will of course
depend upon the doctors. [ am acting
within my right in making these arrange
ments, for Mr.. Lilburne gave me permits
sion to marry his daughter whenever [
found herr?
"And will you marry her if her mind
comes back to her?"
without a doubt; and Heaven grant
that day may not be far distant.
Before Roland Ayre returned to town
he went into the room where Kate was
still seated watching the fire, but she took
no notice of him, and when he clasped her
hand and tried to attract her attention, she
shrank from him, and her Indifference
seemed to change to dislike.
''She doesn't know you" said Mrs Fair
field, seeing the panied expression of his
face. But l do so dread an operation, I
feel sure it will kill her. .
II do not share your forebodings; what.
is your sons opinion p
"Oh, he is like most of the young mem
of the time, full of new-fangled notions,
was the impatient answer.
II also am young man. Mrs. Fairfield,
and agree with your son that the attempt
ought to be made
CHAPTER