Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-04-26
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ELFIE.


relieved to lind he did not object to her
wishes.
BY an afternoon train he followed her
to town, and there was considerable
CONSERVATION at the Rainsford's when
he did not return.
He had been so much better that Mary
had hesita.ed not to consent when lie
had told her he could manage to walk
alone, and now his absence greatly
alarmed them.
1t was ull evening, and the dark
ness had settled around his pretty little
home as he entered his own gate, gently
closing 1t behind him without sound.
Give O'clock" he muttered, that
was his hour. Am too Iate2 IL is near
er six
His heart beat with a fierce anger,
and he crept round to the back OF the
Louise.
They will be in her boudoir," he
said, "it was there they used to meet
have heal their mutlied voices beneath
me when in my own room. Heaven
help mel"
He was right.
is wife was there; and there was a
blazing fire within, which cast forth
bright and titful rays, and by its light
he saw her in Cecil Rainsiord's arms,
and he appeared to be pleading with
her with all the strength of a wild
passion.
Suddenly they started assunder, the
door opened and the maid appeared
with tiny tea-table, lighted the gas,
and laid out the dainty cups and saucers.
Then she drew down the blind and
he saw no more.
He turned and staggered, rather than
walked, from the home which had been
% dear to him, away from the woman
he 10 cd.
~ alse-false"' he muttercd between
his clenched teeth.
And ever again he repeated that one
word, False"
He wandered aimlessly on, and as
the light of a street-lamp fell upon his
Laggard face, paSSer-by stopped and
addressed him.
"Why,, L'EStrange, is that youP Not
AT your work?
"Ah, | See returned Paul, 'you are
Lord Cranburn. No. am not at my
work. ! shall never work again"
You are ill., returned his lOrdship.
Let me escort you home"
Il have no home,'
ord Cranburn hailed a passing
hanson, and helped his friend in.
Paul asked no questions, but just did
as he was told, as any child might do;
and Lord Cranburn drove him to his
own lodging, and having got him to
bed, started off TO inform Ellie of his
safety; but he was seriously alarmed.
for he appeared to be in high fever,
and his head was wandering.
Mary RainStOrd, however, had arrived
before him. and was telling Ellie of the
disappearance of her hus band.
They had traced him 10 the station
and she had followed him by the next
up-train, which was an express.
They were both thankful to hear OF
his safety from Lord Cranburn, and
rot for one moment did they dream OF
what had occurred, and the fatally TOOL
iSh mistake he had made.
they merely imagined that delirium
had again set in, and that his visit tU
London had been as amless as his
wanderings seemed to have been, when
good fortune threw him in the way OF
Lord Cranburn.
Mrs. L'Estrange sent Immediately for
the medical man, who looked very
grave, and the four drove OH in the
doctors carriage to Lord Cranburu'
lodgings. where they found au having
and the sight of Ellie seemed &c drive
him into a state Of frenzy.
SO much so, that the doctor led her
from the room, and begged her to
refrain from entering il again until he
gave her permission to do so and
painful as it was to her, she promised
to obey him.
Subsequently, he took Ellie home in
h carriage, leaving Mary to resume
the care Of her patient
Lord Gran burn willingly gave ur his
rooms to the SICK man and his nurse,
and went to Others on h Cher tlcor
Int he offered his help TO her n her = =,
duous duties, which she gladly AGCtE q
for Paul was very violent and >ht laa'ed
she might not be ab e TO manage b ~,
and he had promised the doctor tC o.
at hand in case of her needing Ii,
assistance.
He came quietly in and out many
times during the night, and looked with
surprise and admiration at lE5 moral
nnupce which the gentle young g,rl
exercised over the strong and dehrou3
man.
1t was time of sad anxiety and bit
ter sorrow to Ellie.
She could in no way understand her
husband : sudden relapse, nor his appar'
ent Gisl Ike TO her.
The doctor assured her that in many
Instances OF brain affection the sufferer
could not bear the sight of the face:
OF those they loved most when in SAINT
state, and his assurance comtorted her
She wanted her husband under hel
own root, but the doctor was Obdurate
aud protested that be must on nc
account be moved; and Ellie fretted al
her hard fate in being so parted from
the husband of her love.
II was almost more than she coulC
do to attend rchersals nigh. after night
with her heavy weighted heart, pu
she felt she was doing it all for Paul
sake.
More than ever it seemed to her neces
| sary 10 push on 10 iottunS' ioi '"'
medlco had told her that Paul never
ought to act again, but should live
very quiet life.
Again he struggled through his deliri
Gus state, and he lay for hours pale anC
haggard, seeming to take no interest il
anything.
At last the doctor said he might b,
! moved, and Mary told him the goo'
news, as she thought it, expecting Il