The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-12
AStra2eemessa9e
BY
DORA RUSSELL,
Author Of FOOTPRINTS IN THE SSow,"
''THE Broken SEAL" "THE Wears
4 GovERSEss." "ASNABEL's RIVAL"
: CHAPTER XLVI.
ONCE AGAIN.
NNE morning, about a fortnight after
DBiddulph had dispatched his tele-
gram to Jock Fraser, in a private
CHAPTER XLvI
DORA RUSSELL,
ONCE AGAIN.


hotel, New York, two gentlemen were
talking and Specializing rather anxiously
about his expected arrival there.
These two were Biddulph and Dalton /;
the latter having just returned from a
visit to Malcolm Fraser's sick-room.
II don't think that poor young fellow
looks so well this morning." said Dalton,
in his calm way, approaching the couch
where Biddulph was lying, which was
placed close to one of the windows OF the
room, out of which Biddulph had been
gazing vaguely on the gardens in Madison
square, and on the fountain playing in the
midst.
well" said Biddulph, turning sharply
round.
"Unless his father and mother make
haste, doubt very much that they will
see him alive" continued Dalton. Il
don't like his looks, and he seems very
weak"
The doctors will not have seen him yet,
suppose ?" asked Biddulph, anxiously
IL they do not come in half an hour, we
had best send for DR.. Lester, Dalton.
What does the nurse say?"
''She SAYS that be is very restless, and
that he is pining to see his mother"
Poor boy it's sad case"
"Yes," and then Dalton retired into a
icorner OF the room, and. drawing a key
from his pocket, unlocked a box which
was standing there, and stood gazing con-
'templatively at the treasures il contained.
These were bis geological specimens,
iand were more interesting in Dalton's
sight than the young life which he deemed
drawing near a close. He took out piece
of petrifed stump, once part of great
tree. now apparently transformed into
solid quartz. and examined it with pro-
found attention, and then carried it across
TO Riddulph's 8 couch.
THE petrified stump from which
Clipped this, he said, "was seven feet in
diameter. and was standing erect in the
soil, where IL seemingly once grew"
But Biddulph failed to show any inter
est
'T am anxious about Malcolm Fraser"
he said, after glancing one moment at the
petrifaction in Dalton's hand; 81 think l
should like to see him."
My dear Biddulph, you know DR.. Les
ter said you were TO move about as little
as possible: and seeing the poor fellow can
do him no good.
Still" began Biddulph, restlessly.
But at this moment waiter raped at
the room door and brought in card and
handed it to Biddulph. He glanced at it
and gave quick exclamation.
''It is Mr.. Fraser, Dalton-Nr. Fraser of
Airdlinn! They have arrived, then. Is
there lady with this gentleman ?" ne in
quired of the waiter.
'There are two ladies, sir, answered
the waiter-"English ladies'
~ y 20, h =
lows mother and sister. Will YOU 90 to
them. Dalton, and explain how nv
broken leg prevents nv going to receive
them? And then take them to Malcolm
Fraser's room-and don't tell them YOU
know quite how really i'll he is"
81 shall 90 at once. answered Dalton I;
but before doing so he carefully de-
posted his petrifed stump back to its
place in his box OF treasures, and locked
it, and pocketed the KEY.
Then he went to receive Mr. and Mrs
Fraser, and Biddulph was left alone. He
felt not little excited and upset, know
ing how terrible would be the shock to
the fond mother to see her handsome,
stalwart Young son transformed into a
hopeless cripple. For Malcolm Fraser
had never recovered the use of his lower
limbs, and would never walk step again
on earth, all the doctors had told Bid
dulph.
"Poor Mrs. Fraserw he thought COM
passionately, and he sighed Riddulph
himself was also greatly changed. for his
face was pale and haggard. and his hair
had grown slightly grav at the temples,
and altogether he looked an altered man.
He had. in truth. suffered terribly from
the laceration of the flesh by the broken
bones of his leg. when he had dragged
himself to seek water to save Malcolm
Fraser from perishing by thirst. He used
cIutches when he left his couch, and his
leg was still in splints; and he had grown
thin and ten years older looking than
when he had first stood hv Nora Stewards s
side amid the Scottish hills.
Perhaps aquarter of an hour passed, and
then Dalton again opened the room door,
and Riddulph looked eagerly toward him.
SWELL" he asked, shave you taken
them to his room?"
eyes" answered Dalton, with a quiet
smile; land now am bringing a visitor
20 see you. There is Young lady outside
in the corridor here, who wishes to see
you-Miss Stewart"
'Miss Stewart J" repeated Biddulph, and
his pale face grew 'paler, and then flushed.
"Where is she-where-"
"She Is here" said Dalton. still smiling.
opening the room door little wider; and
then, pale, too and deeplv agitated. Nora
appeared. and with faltering steps drew
near Biddulph's couch, who half rose.
holding ont both hands.
"You did not expect to see me-" said
Nora, nervously, with heaving breast and
downeast ewes. "I-I came with Mr.. and
Mrs. Fraser TO see poor Malcolm. IL
thought should come and speak to YOU,
while they first see him."
'g shall 90 and see after some refresh
nents," remarked Dalton, considerably,
and he disappeared, and then Nora lifted
her eyes. and looked in Biddulph's
changed face.
She gave half-cry, and drew little
nearer 10 him.
ooh. James" she said. clasping his hand
with both her trembling ones, you, too,
are very III am glad came"
81 am much better" answered Bid
dulph, who was deeply moved. 'I have
a broken leg, you know. and have gone
through lot of pain; you see me greatly
changed dare sav2'
"Yes," she said, looking at him, with
her dark ewes full Of the old tenderness
"and you did not tell me-"
81 thought il was best not 10 worry You
more than could help" eaid Biddulph,
trying TO smile. "Poor Malcolm Fraser 8
condition was enough ill-news at once"
"Is he any better. do YOU think ?"
Biddulph shook his head.
'He viii never be any better, Nora" he
eaid sadly. II am glad that his father and