The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-09-03
CHATTER x.
LOYKR,s KEMARD.

Some time had elapsed before RO-
land AYre could engage the services Of
a very celebrated doctor, who had al
ready performed several successful Op-
eratiOns of a kind similar TO that which
alone could restore Kate Llburne's rea-
son.
The injury which had reduced Kate
Lilburne to condition little better
than that of idiocy was, as we know,
caused by her fall, the skull being tract
ured.
A piece of the skull was pressing up
on the brain, and only by relieving this
pressure could the organ of reason be
made more capable of acting in a nat
ur&l manner.
The danger was very great, and
Mrs. Fairfield over and over again en-
treated that Mrs. Lilburne should be
consulted before such terrible risk
was incurred.
But Rolands 8 argument was that to
do as the nurse wished would be to give
him unnecessary anxiety and pain with
out doing his daughter one particle Of
good. while the accounts which he in
directly obtained from SilYertOn Castle
described Mr.. LIlburne as generally
uncheerful and resigned, though
sometimes sad and anxious at the GER
tainty of his daughters fate.
Her father would not hesitate for a
moment" he said confidently; 'and |
Q
of failure that haunts me day and
night"
As her son was of the same opinion
as Roland Mrs. Fairfield was obliged
to yield. though she did SO unwillingly
/ and against her Judgment.
The news of Grace LilbUrne's con-
/ templated marriage with Victor Gay
1 herd did more to reconcile the nurse to
/ ROland's views than anything else. and
/ even when she heard that the wedding
was not to take place until after Christ
! mas Day, her feelings on the subject
1 underwent no change.
From this time she quite fell in with
! Mr.. Ayre's plans, and lent him her
| hearty cooperation.
So the day was fixed upon when Kate
Lilburne was to be restored to reason,
health. and happiness, OF was to depart
without further delay to that land to-
wards which we sons and daughters OF
mortal race are all slowly but surely
travelling.
Two of the most eminent surgeons in
Europe had undertaken to assist the
great Sir Felix Ferris in performing the
{ critical operation, and even their cOOl
heads and practised hands must have
felt some extra strain upon them as
they began their work with the con-
scIOuness that only the thnness of pa.
per stood between their patient and
eternity.
The case was so critical that no one
was allowed in the room besides the
operating surgeon and his assistants
In the adjoining apartment RolanC
/ Ayre paced slowly to and frO, his hand!
tightly holding his head as though i
would burst with feverish anxiety.
At this last moment he began to re
gret that he had sent for Mr.. Lllburne
But it was too late now, the die wa
cast, and as he looked at Frank Fair
field and his mother, and saw that theI
anxiety was scarcely second to his OWL
he felt that he already had companion
enough in his misery
To the three watchers the minute
that pass are like hours before the doc
they watch so eagerly gently opens, an,
one of the surgeons with a smiling fac
beckons them into the room.
eve have succeeded, Her reason
already coming back to her, said 81
Felix Ferris in low tone.
And just then Kate lifted her heaC
and extending her hands in terror eJ
claimed:
! ''Grace, won't hide here; tell yo
| am afraid" ..-H
She looked about her" but the rooI
was strange, so were the faces until he
! eyes lighted upon that of her lover.
= Then the first smile that had wreatl
ed her face since that fearful nigf
came over it, and she held out b,
hands to him as she asked:
. Roland. have been dreaming?
thought it was Christmas night, and v
| were all playing at hide-and-seek, an
: Grace was perSuading me to hide in Il
turret-chamber in the old tower. an
: suddenly l thought ! was falling dow
some awful chasm and then | VOL
, with the fright. But where am II
u don't know this place, and who a
/ these peOple?'
i She asked this in low tone, not wis
! ing to seem rude, but Mrs. Falrtie
u came forward and asked:
Don't you know me, dearie?"
= 'Of course Ido-Nurse Fairfield, n
: fOster-mother; but that isn't Frank?'
y 1t is Frank" was the reply.
II But now the doctors interposed al
:. suggested quiet and an absence of
- excitement. The operation had be
- completely successful, but it was VI
g not TO put too great strain upon {