The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-12-29

H., syasWafpsgs fine7seemcd twice
= iaT,o,as ,2fsd hid acquired d soft ex-
nross.5n which was irresistible; the
s1ifcal little laugh, which had Rim
4 erly been one efhef characteristics,
had disappeared.
Another two minutes and the girl
was snugly tucked under fur rug
on the front Seat of the high dog
cart, and Brooke, touching the mare
with his whip, sent her flying down
the long carriage drive.
How ridiculously those people are
in love with each otherl'' said Lady
Minton, with II little sigh. Upon
my word, it is quite .Acadia1i: l
wonder how long it will last?''
"About six months, take it, >
drawled Capt: Egertonj ''iat least |
hope SO; Miss Bligh, Won't hook at
any other fellow than saW-bones.
But it can't last, that sort Of thing.
Quite tncivilized you know"
"Well they are I'd be married in six
| weeks" laughed lady Minton. $50
this time next year we shall see you
making the running with the beauti-
full Mrs. Brooke?"
Nothing more likely id the world"
replied Capt Egerton, who had roy
al idea of his own powers of fascina-
ton.
At the luncheon table two chairs
were vacant. II wonder where our
.twoyoung people have got tor said
Lady Mint6n. III wish DR.. Brooke
would not take her these long expe-
ditions; it makes me very uneasy"
'They are probably lunching some
where a deux, dear Lady Minton,"
suggested the ''frisky matron" of the
party,
II don't know where they
will lunch out on Exmore-
and I don't feel at all sure
about that mare. She is getting a
regular jade"
The afternoon closed in and there
were still no signs of the girl and her
lover. Tea had been brought in and
Lady Minton was trying to hide her
growing alarm as she chatted with
guests and did the honors of the tea
table.
ri am sure heard wheels at the
front door of the house," she said
suddenly.
s'Yes, but it is not the dog-cart,
said Capri Egerton; ''those were
cart-Wheels | heard"
s'Go out and see what it is, for
goodness sake. No carts ever come
up to the court after dusk!''
The young man hurried out of the
room and a minute later scared
footman came and whispered to lady
&inton. Hurrying into the hall she
was met by Egerton and Brooke. |
The Doctors face was destitute of
every vestige of color and his eyes
seemed to have sunk far back into |
his head.
"There has been a bad accident |
"Where is Allison" cried Lady |
Minton; "she is not"
"No, not dead; but she is very seri-
ously wounded. Can you bear the
worst7"
"Take me to her, my poor darling'
walled Lady Minton.
eve have carried her here, into Sir
Francis study; and she must not be
moved any more. Don't look at her
face, Lady Minton. l want you to
be strong-to help me-.
A motionless heap lay on the sofa,
and that heap was Alison Bligh.
Piteous groans came from her lips,
and one side of her face was carefully
bound up with a mans white silk
handkerchief.
"Make up a bed quickly here. Call
her maid-if she has strong nerves
to help you take of her clothes.
can tell you nothing definite till /
have examined her. Bring some
brandy"
These orders were briefly given by
the Doctor as he hurried from the
room to fetch his case of surgical in
struments.
An hour later the worst was
known. The girls spine was badly
injured that she would never be able
to rise again. One side of her face
had been SO terribly crushed thatshe
was hardly recognizable, and her SUI
ferings were acute. She might live,
the Doctor thought, but her life
would be so many years of mental
and bodily anguish.
w
The house party at Minton Court
broke up Immediately, and by noon
the next day the last carriageful of
guests had swept down the drive.
Silence reigned in the large rambling
house, Lady Minton and Miss Bligh's
maid taking their turn in the sick
room. AS for Duncan Brooke, he
hardly left his patients bedside. AL
ways O reticent man, not even his
hostess ever guessed what he suf-
fered during those long days and
nights of anxious watching. At
night, particularly, he would let no
one else sit up with her, even if he
snatched an hour or two's sleep du-
ing the day. For a whole fortnight
she lay almost unconscious on the
bed, unable to articulate, aud only
showing by her low groans that she
vas still alive-and suffering.
Then came a change, and Alison
vas able to speak again. One day
)he Doctor was alone with her in the
Dom where they had laid her down
IN the day ofthe accident. Thegreat
house was hushed into perfect still
less, and not a sound was to be
leard but the occasional fall of a
Under on the hearth.
Duncan" she whispered suddenly,
With very little sigh.
"What is it, my darling?" said the
Doctor, bending his head to listen.
T-I want to go to sleep"
$50 you shall, dear. | will give
1ou an opiate tonight"
"Oh, but l want to go to sleep for
always. l cannot bear it any more.
t is all over for me now; all over.
md l am only %? | should go mad
y ipo6 to n bod oil tho voorc I nav