The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-12

OOI NldiCOtull
It's terrible business; feel so much
for his mother"
at has been dreadful to be with her
since the news came; but after your tele-
gram arrived she has cherished great
hope"
"He was better when sent that than
he is now fear there is little hope now"
"And-and it was an accident" asked
Nora, tremblingly.
"An accident among the precipices In
the valley OF the Yellowstone river
Malcolm Fraser got tremendous fall
there, and injured his spine so badly that
II was supposed he was going to die"
"And you heard OF it?" inquired Nora,
with more confidence.
"Yes," answered Biddulph, briefly; T
was staying at the same place"
"And you have been very kind to him, :"
said Nora, again raising her dark eyes to
his.
''I have done what could, of course,
but it is not much. He has seen several
OF the leading doctors here, and their ver-
dict is not reassuring."
Nora sighed, and then there was min
ute or two of embarrassed silence. These
two, who had thought Of each other al
most every moment OF time since they
had parted, now felt that strange new
feeling OF shyness had grown up between
them. They could not forget the past, in
the chill present; and presently Biddulph
sighed also. and abruptly turned away his
head.
81 have quite gay view from here, as
you see," he said trying to speak indif-
ferently.
"Ies."
But two walters happily at this instant
- Z NJ l. !
lunch for the travellers to be brought up
to Biddulph's sitting-room, thinking that
under the circumstances both Mr.. and
Mrs. Fraser would preierthis to the public
table. And few minutes later, he also
entered, and in his placid way began to
talk to Nora OF New York, comparing it
with the other American cities through
which they had journeyed.
While they were talking, Jock Fraser
came into the room, and went straight up
to Biddulph, and warmly shook his hand.
Il do not know how 10 thank you
enough, Mr.. Biddulph," he said, in a
voice husky with emotion, 'for your great
kindness to our poor boy"
"Do not speak OF it, Mr.. Fraser"
answered Biddulph; "any one under the
circumstances would have done what they
could. How do you think he looks?"
Poor Jock slightly shook his head. His
honest brown eyes were red-rimmed, and
his face showed all the traces of recent
tears. He had, in truth, fairly broken
down at the touching meeting between
the mother and son; Tor when Mrs. Jock,
trembling, agitated to such degree that
her limbs seemed almost to refuse their
Office, had first entered Malc0im's room,
he had stretched out his arms with kind
OF cry.
"Niotherw
The next moment she was beside him,
had him clasped to her breast, and was
passionately kissing the white lace. which
SIC had last seen so healthful and SO
brown.
"3Iy Malcolm-my best-loved," she
murmured; "at last | see you againl"
The intense yearning love that was ex-
pressed in these words was very pathetic.
Neither spoke again for a moment or two,
and then Malcolm, looking fondly at his
mothers face, said simply
Il arm so glad you have come, mother
and you, father" and he held out his
hand TO Jock Fraser, who clasped it with
his stalwart grasp, and then looked at
his boys changed face with smothered
sigh.
Malcolm had always been handsome,
the pride and darling OF the two who now
stood looking at him, with chill dread in
their hearts; and he was handsome still.
Almost a beautiful face this, with regular
features, curling chestnut hair, and blue
eyes which once had been bold and smi-
ing, but were now unutterably sad. For
he knew-lying there in his young man
hood-that, in this life, he would walk no
more. lie was hopelessly paralyzed, and
unable to move any part OF his body be-
low the waist. Ii was melancholy sight
even to an Indifferent stranger; but TO the
mother on whose breast he had slept
when a little babe, it was the very rending
of her heart-strings.
81 hoped so much that you would
come" said Malcolm, putting his hand in
hers.
"Come!" she echoed. "My darling,
would have gone to the worlds end to
look once more on your dear faceI' And
again she passionately kissed him, and he
felt her hot tears upon his cheek.
No wonder that Jock Fraser turned
away with dim eyes and quivering lips,
and went to the window OF the room, and
stood looking out on the animated scene
beyond. thinking all the while of the
wrecked hopes that had come to so sad a
close. Then, presently, he heard Malcolm
speak to his mother OF Blddulph.
"You must thank him." he said "I-I
misunderstood him-but for him should
have never seen you again, mother"
"But how did your accident happen,
my daring2" asked Mrs Jock, in a low,
anxious tone. and deep blush rose on
Malcolm's white face as she made the in
quiry.
81 slipped my foot on the verge of one
of the tremendous precipces out there" !"
he answered, 'and fell down an immense
hight-and-and Mr.. Biddulph found
me and that is how bis leg was broken,
trying to get TO me-and, since, he has
been very kind"
Mrs Jock did not speak, as she listened
10 Malcolm's somewhat lame account of
how he came by his injuries, which he
and Biddulph had agreed mutually to tell,
so as TO spare the poor father and mother
the agony of hearing the truth. 1t was
Biddulph who had proposed this justif-
able deception, as be knew well he would
doubIy add TO Mr.. and Mrs. Fraser's grief
10 learn the story OF the awful struggle for
life which had taken place between them,
and which had ended in such terrible
retribution for Malcolm.
Then Biddulph absolutely broke his
leg in trying 10 get TO YOU, my boy ?" said
Jock Fraser, from the window.
"Yes," answered Malcolm, huskily.
But at this moment Malcolm's nurse,
who had left the room when the father
brought a message from Mr.. Biddulph, to
tell Mr. and Mrs. Fraser that lunch was
ready for them in his sitting-room.
D. l. 4 l. /.