The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-10-16

nothing the best of it."
"Well, Romsey, what shall l do? Let
US take you up in the carriage"
"Im hanged if | know what would be
the best thing to do" said Romsev, as if
not hurt at all. 'Nellie will soon be here,
l know, when she hears of it, and, guess
ing from the time James went, she can't
be long, know She is a famous tacti-
clan, old fellow, and will arrange every
thing. She knows what an accident is,
and Is equal in every emergency save this.
indeed, poor girl"
But cannot let you lie here and
freeze. I'll take you to your house or to
the Cedars, from which have Just come,
as you may guess. My names Percival,
and by curious mistake, | have been
able to take your patient"
Thank God, Percival, and thank you,
too; for the thought OF this dear girl and
the anguish have suffered on her ac-
count has been far worse TO me than all
the nasty raps and bumps these poor bones
OF mine have had to bear"
"It is hard to tell you now; / was com
ing for you TO help me set a wounded arm
right. Have you any instruments?
YES; L guessed something of what had
happened, and here is my case, on the top
OF my head. Take it, pray take it; leave
me and 60 to her."
"No, no, no can't do that. She is all
right for the present; we will lift you gen.
thy into the carriage and take you home,
and do trust the bruises will prove the
worst part OF the business"
"Gad, my dear fellow, am completely
smashed! But don't say n word to Nellie
when she comes. l hear her coming
now"
Romsey's ear was quick, for straining
hard amidst the gusts of wind | fancied
could hear the sound of approaching
wheels.
do let us lift you into the carriage be-
fore the lady comes, and so prevent the
fearful shock of seeing you as you lie up
here"
''No, my good friend. no. I had rather
wait till Nellie comes. James dragged me
here as tenderly as he could, but it was an
agony, and it would be worse to be
doubled into the carriage with such a
strength as you two could command, and
then TO be doubled out again. fear | am
done to death, and l could not stand it.
Meanwhile, on the frosty night we could
plainly distinguish the impetuous gallop
of horses and the sound of wheels like the
fierce charge of fire brigade approaching
nearer and nearer They pulled up, how
ever, before arriving at the scene OF acct
dent and came quietly and cautiously on
ward.
l confess in all this sad scene 1 was Gu
riously anxious to catch a glimpse of the
redoubtable Nellie; but instead of seeing
the rather masculine specimen of woman
kind had imagined, with nerves of steel
and arms of strength, there ran forward a
slight and elegant girl OF some eighteen or
nineteen years, dressed without confusion
or apparent haste in waterproof and
hood.
Romsev was we'll justified in waiting for
Nellie. She must indeed have been learned
in accidents. What had she brought {?
Why, the very means and appliances
which by long thought one would have
considered the best, and she had but a
few minutes to get them all together and
be here. She had procured from a neigh
boring upholsterer light covered spring
van, on the floor of which she had spread
a mattress with many pillows and blank
cts. Her force of assistants was four
two elderly women and two men, with a
plentiful supply of lanterns. She ran for
ward to her brother as if she knew where
to find him by instinct.
ooh, Nellie, dear" he said; 81 knew
you'd come quickly"
"Oh, it must have seemed an age to
you. How hurt you must be, Edward !
Drink this glass of water dear"
THE very thing. Nellie Oh, have
been wanting it So"
"Now, dear old Ned, we are going to
move You. But L see Mr.. Ellison's car
rage here He has been before US"
Not Mr.. Ellison, dear, but DR.. Perci-
val, who, by a most fortunate accident, was
attending my patient and had come to
seek me"
"And the doctor will help us, will he
not?''
He will certainly, if you will allow
him to place himself under your guild
ance," said l.
''Sir, thank you" replied Nellie. eve
will lift poor Ned now into this van.
Where are you hurt, dear, that we may
not hurt you more? ?"
"All over, Nellie, all over. know you
will take me gently"
And well she marshaled her forces.
There were altogether seven of us. One
stood at the horses heads to prevent a
movement, one lighted the way, and the
rest of us gently lifted poor Ned on to the
mattress. He bore the operation without
groan, although it must, indeed, have
been further dose of agony. implored
him to allow me to go home with him
and see to his injuries, but he would not
hear of it.
"Come to me as soon as you have fin
ished with the dear girl whose life is
precious to so many. Do not neglect her
for a single moment. place her in your
hands, Percival You have the case-be
off. sir, this very moment. Nellie is a
nurse and doctor all in one, and shall be
safe with her till you come"
The wise Nellie said: ooh, doctor, it
does seem selfish, but come as soon as you
can; do come for l feel myself thor
oughly helpless in such a sad case"
What could | do? was divided be-
tween the two, and felt that Fife Eli
son had the prior right to my poor serv-
ices. Nevertheless, as we went rapidly
back to the Cedars, my heart and thoughts
were with Nellie and her brother
On reaching the Ellisons / found the
son had returned by hired conveyance.
He had found Willoughby's man pacing
up and down in great distress at having
lost me, and had Guessed the nature of
the Joke" as he said, and had sent Reeve
home, at which was heartily glad
found poor Effie in very bad state
The limb was much swollen and discol-
ored, and the necessary operation was
tiresome and most painful. / would fain
have waited for assistance, but the urgent
nature of the case admitted of no delay.
In very short space of time the skill of
the most eminent surgeon in the country
was secured, and together with the family
we watched through hours of great