The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-30


nobody there, 80 without waiting 10 sum
mon q servant 10 inquire II DC had re
turned homo, Nancy turned and ran up
the staircase again, going this time to his
dressing room.
lie was not there, either, bat as Nancy
pushed open the door after knocking
twice. his man Darby came out Of the
bedroom with can Of water IN his hand
Has Mr. Earle returned yet, Darby"
Nancy asked, breathlessly
Not yet. Miss Earle" he answered,
with a glance az the little horseshoe clock
on the chimney shelf land IL 10 twenty
minutes to 9, rather less, for that clock Is
minute or two slow"
There 10 awful news from BuFmah,
Darby" said Nancy, trembling. There
has been great ongagemcut-and Dir
Stuart is wounded, severely wounded "
"fOu don't say SO. ma'am exclaimed
Darby. who, in common with all the serv
ants both in Hans place and Earlcs Hope
detested the heir TO tho old namo. The
tone was not very sympathetic in fact. h
expressed the well bred surprise of good
servant rather than sympathy at ail-but
no was sorry for Nancy. and his thoughts
went straight 20 the effect the news
might have upon his master Il hope
the master will not sec the papers Of the
club. Miss Earle, ho said, anxiously
Nancy was about 20 speak. when q
furious peal at tho bell Of the outer door
sounded through the house.
There he u.s. she said, and ran out OF
tho room and down the stairs just ms the
servant, who had come up from below,
opened the door
But is was not her father. and instead
Of his tall aud striking inquire appearing
out Of the gloom Of the winters evening
short. stout and rOseate gentleman
walked into tho house.
"Ohl Sir George. Nancy cried, recog
uizing one Of her fathers most intimate
friends.
MY dear young lady" said Sir George
ST. Logger, kindly. Il am sorry--but there
Is sad news.
Il have seen the papers-I know,
Nancy answered quickly. And N!
father
Bg this time he had drawn her 10 tho
6resido, and was holding both her hand
In bis.
Lam very sorry. my dear that your
poor father has seen them. too, said be
very kindly, "and tho shock-its 10
use my trying TO spin IL ont; tolo
them at the club that / WAS the wrong
man 20 send on an cgraad OF this kind,
be broke of
"Ohl go ON. Don't keep me waiting
Nancy said. implor.ngiy. Tell mo tho
worst af ouco IL he lrElr'
ooh no--no-no, ny dear child, cricc
the little old gentleman, eagerly; "cer
tainly not-nothing o. the kind. But I.
was very great shock, Of course, to our
dear old friend, ana ho had u kind o.
seizure-a faintness, or something OF thai
sort, and they arc bringing him home
some Of tho others, in his own carriage
so took d cab and hurried on TO say J.
would be safer 20 get the doctor here
quickly as possible. Just precaution
roo know, my dear. pressing her hands
ere he set chem free.
Nancy put the hand which was nearest
10 him bacs into his.
"How good you are, she said, turning
round at The same time Jones. will you
scpd out az once for Dr. DaviesI Don't
lei them lnse a moment, Darby you have
everything ready for my father, have you
nol?'
Everything, maam, said Darby, who
had been prepared for trouble Of this kind
from the moment the young mistress had
told bin tue last news Of the young
master.
you would like me TO stay until they
come, or is there anything that can do.
my DEAF" asked Sir George, kindly.
ooh no. There is 50 little that any OF
us can d." she answered. hopelessly'
'but do stay, please "
So Sir George drew her down on TO the
coy coRch, sheltered by the tall Chinese
screen, and together they waited during
the few minutes. that seemed SO inter
minably long. before the sound Of the
carriage was heard without.
Naturally enough, Darby was the first
20 approach the carriage, and as sOon as
his eyes fell upon the helpless and
mOtionless figure of his master he looked
over his shoulder at the butler and said
lmperatiyely: Get Miss Earle out Of
Sights paralysis. "
Thus hidden, Jones did his best, but
Nancy was close behind him. II an
quite prepared for anything, Jones, she
said, with intense calmness. 81 Don't
waste time trying TO persuade me to g.
away--they need your help"
She was not unreasonable in the least.
although she would not be put away from
her fathers side when she felt that he
needed her the most; but she stood aside
70 let them carry him into the house and
up the wide stairs TO his OWL room.
"IIe will recover from this good deal
after an hour or 80, my dear, said SH
George.
mo, Sir George, he will never be any
better" she said, monrnfully. He has
not strength enough to bear up against q
shock like that--he is 50 old and so frail.
Even Sir George could not think Of any
thing to say-and, In his heart Of hearts
he confidently believed that his old friend
was dead already There was the sound
Of a hanson dashing up 10 the door, and
then the doctor came hurrying In.
"Yes-I've heard all about it. he said,
as Nancy met him. "a pity-a pity A
shock like that is a nasty thing 70 night
against al Mr. Earles age; however, III
60 straight up, if you please, Miss Earle
Well, yes--i think you had better LET me
90 first. won't keep you in suspense or
away from him a moment longer than Is
absolutely necessary. Then he, too dis
appeared up the stairs, and Nancy sat
down on the sofa again to wait for news
with the best patience she might.
you want 70 be going-your dinner
she said, YEARLY, to Sir George.
"No-no-I am dining at the club-any
time will do. could not leave without
hearing what the doctor says, In any
case, he replied, hastily; and so they sat
on side by side while the clock IN the cor
ner licked steadily on, not speaking much
rather, indeed, holding their breath to
listen for the first sound that should come
70 them from the hushed and quiet cham
Der above. DR. Davies did not keep them
waiting very long, for In about twenty
minutes he came down again, treadiug
quietly, as medical men do Nancy rose
aud went 10 meet him
1--WE can do nothing at present" he
said, gently; for an hour or 50 your
father must DC kept perfectly quiet; but J
have given Darby complete instructions
what TO do until tho nurse comes. will
send one in at once, unless you like 10
wire TO st. Johns House for one-use my
name. and ask for Nurse Proyis if. she Is
there. ! will como back again in an
hour"
81 roov 90 mn 70 hirng" Nanny asked