The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-02-23
CHAPTER XXXIV.

1nat fearful storm seemed put nre-
! brand from heaven-a bit of Gods
wrath to punish Jeanette Nathan for
her many crimes; for, as soon as the
lightning had struck the mansion and
had Frustrated the murderess at her
poor victims feet, it seemed to pass on.
The lightning grew less severe and the
thunder could only be heard in the
distance. The family physician soon
arrived at the mansion and found
Jeanette in very dangerous condi-
ton.
1T will be almost a miracle if she
ever recovers," said the Doctor.
He then went to Ray, but at first
sight of him he shrank back, and could
not at first realize that the man in
front of him was Raymond Bristol.
Thomas, who had not left his master,
hastily explained matters, so that the
Doctor could understand.
Ray had received a heavier shock
than he had at first expected, and
as vet he was unable to speak. This
was indeed very trying position for
the old family doctor to be placed in,
for he had his own opinion about Rays
strange disappearance and who lay at
the bottom of it all; but he had never
said word to any one about it. For
once in that sturdy old mans life he
scarcely knew what to say; but as it is
mostly better to act than to talk, he
Immediately went to work. In the
course of an hour or so, Ray asked, in
a very strange voice:
doctor, where are my wife and child?
Tell me all that has happened here in
the last six months"
The Doctor WINGED slightly, and his
face paled, but he replied, calmly:
Il do not remember now Just where
your wife did go, but she went some
place soon after you left us all l sup
pose Miss Nathan knows where she IS.
Your mother has not yet returned from
England. They say she has not been
very well this winter; but [ think she
ought to be sent for Immediately, for
7 fear Miss Nathan will never recover
from this shock"
Il don't presume any one knows
where | have been all this time, and
hardly know myself; but I don't want
to talk about it now. How soon did
ny wife go away after disappeared ?"
Il do not know, [ am sure, for she
had been gone some time before | knew
of it. ="
"Well, hurry up, Doctor, and get me
looking like mortal man again as soon
as possible, for / must see Jeanette
and know where my little Lima is; for
some reason or other / feel very
strangely, and / believe there is some
thing wrong"
Gracious, man, that woman must
not be disturbed under any considera-
ton for some time; but, ali Bristol,
here is a scar on your chest that looks
as if bullet had made it; how's that ?"
The Doctor had been examining
Rays lungs, and by accident saw the
scar.
You are right, for the night of the
oath of last November / was shot
through the body and 1 guess it was
but a miracle that I lived I have
been prisoner since then and have
never seen the light of day; but there
is some strange mystery about it all,
and | do not wish to say any more
about it at present"
The Doctor thought it prudent to
keep quiet, and said no more about the
matter. He had relieved Ray of his
beard and tangled hair as best he
could. 1t was daylight before the
faithful old physician left the man
sion, and his mind was full of strange
doubts and fancies. Ray soon fell
asleep and did not wake up until
the afternoon. He was feeling much
better, and after dressing as usual,
went down to the library. Everything
there was just as he had left it six
months ago. Poor man, little he
knew what sorrow was in store for
him yet! There was a large pile of
letters on his desk, all unopened, and
most of them on business He sat
down and began to tear open the en-
velopes, one by one. and had been
reading for some time when the library
door opened and Jeannette's maid en-
/ tered.
MY lady would like to see you,
/ please, sir"
Every WE'LL" and he rose from the
chair and followed the maid, little
dreaming what lay before him.
ITo BE Continued