Nevada County picayune., 1889-08-14

| the mother. l Don't % an say she's dead now" said he; but say Christie s had q fall an that I'm bringing her home"
 Mare understood, and fairly flew over the sands toward the little cot tage a quarter of a mile back from the pier.
 Old Lee sped along forgctGul of the two pickerel. of the old ooman x tay, of everything but that little l ChristIc'l5urns whom he had dandlcd on his knee. was nearer death than life.
 Half of Rockford knew of the acci- dent before dark, and Madame Rumor painted the story in glowing colors. It was no accident, twas as plain as day that Christie meant suicide; because well, it was easy to see through it now, since the Cap tain was on his way home with a bride.
 But Christie, unconscious of the scandalous gossip, lay in the spare room of the little cottage ravlng in widest delirium of pretty curtains, bright carpets, sweet-scentcd cedars and of-deceit.
 Great was the surprise, however, when the May Roy arrived, and Captain Delaney stepped over the plank with his usual complacent bachelor airs and alone.
 Then it flashed over gossipy Rock ford that somebody had prevaricated and the crowd gaped curiously at the innocent May Roy as if it were at fault that a bride was not forth coming.
 'Wonder how such thing startcd:" questioned Jack Burgess, a friend of the Captains, to him that evening under the cedars, as they sat enjoying a social cigar in the twilight.
 Blamed if l know,' answered Delaney, knocking the ashes from a half-smoked Havana.
 "Well, replied Jack, with a sigh, tits been an unfortunate piece O business, dreadfully unfortunate, this gossip has.
 The Captain looked up quickly. "Why:" he asked.
 'IIavcn't heard word, old fel- low?" queried Jack.
 Not a whisper"
 Well, l might have known you hadn't or you wouldn't be sitting here. You see, Miss Burns has acted mighty strange ever since the story got alloat that you intended bringing a wife with you.
 Captain Delaney grew white and nervous the cigar fell from his ling- CTS and he stood up.
 
 But Jack continued. And she wandered off 'mong the hills over looking the bay-seemed she was thinking of the-May Roy
 For Gods sake, go on," inter- ruptcd Delaney, sinking back into his seat.
 "Well, the upshot of the matter is, Miss Burus is now at deaths door from an accident among the rocks, though the gossips say Christie meant to-suicide,
 The Captain laid heavy hand on Burgess shoulder, and his eyes seemed to blaze with an agonizcd fury. "Is it as bad as that? Oh, my God," And Jack nodded in the affirmative,
 ''rhis is awfuly cruel and sud den," said Delaney, and his voice seemed strange and harsh. even to himself. You will excuse me, old boy, if go in; l think l shall have to be alone; this IS sudden, awfully sudden.
 "Don't do anything rash, Cap tain" said Jack, uneasiy, as he wruno dclancy's hand at parting. Remember she may get well rcmem- Der that,
 II will. God bless you, Jack, l will try to keep track of that, and Captain Delaney staggered into the house.
 Jack Burgess went softly down the walk and shut tho wicket carefully behind htu, as if he feared he might disturb his friend.
 Little Chriatc's life hung in the balance for several days, caused from the severe mental and physical