The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1890-09-26
CalriStOlS Gift.
ny HUGH CONWAY.
Part /.

ny HUGH CONWAY.
PART /.
TOLD BY PHILIP BRAND, NJ. D., LONDON.
The message was brief:-.Nr. Carr is seri,
Dusly i'll. Come at once. You will be met in
London"
Madeline did not scream or faint. She gave
one low moan of pain, set her teeth. and with
the face Of one in a dream drove as quickly as
she could to Calendar, straight to the rail-
way station.
Fortunately, or rather unfortunately, she
had money with her, so she did moi waste
time in going to Mr.. Douglas. In spite of the
crushing blow she had received the girl had
all her wits about her. A train would start
In ten minutes time. She took her ticket,
then found an idler outside the station, and
paid him to take the pony and carriage back
TO the farm, with the message as repeated to
Carriston.
The journey passed like a long dream. The
girl could think of nothing but her lover, dy-
ing. ~dying-perhaps dead before she could
reach him. The miles flew by unnoticed;
twilight crept on the carriage grew dark; at
last--London at last! Miss Rowan stepped
out on the broad platform, not knowing what
to do or where TO turn. Presently a tall we'll
dressed man came up to her, and removing
bis hat, addressed her Dynamo. The promise
as to her being met had been kept.
She clasped her hands. ''Tell mech tell
me, he is not dead" she cried.
"Mr. Carr is not dead. He is i'll, very ILL
d~elirious and calling for YOU"
Where is he? Oh take me to himV
"He is miles and miles from here-at q
friends house. / have been deputed to meet
you and to accompany ycu, if you feel strong
enough to continue the Journey at once"
Come" said Madeline. "Take me to
him."
Your l~uggage2" asked the gentleman.
II have o Gomez
"You must take some refreshment."
II need nothing. Comet"
The gentleman. glanced at his watch.
There is just time" he said. He called a
cab, told the driver to go at top speed. They
reached Paddington just in time to catch the
mail.
During the drive across London Madeline
asked many questions, and learnt from her
companion that Mr.. Carr had been staying
for a day or two at a friends house in the
West of England. That yesterday he had
fallen from his horse and sustained such in
iuries that his life was despaired of. He had
been continually calling for Madeline. They
had found her address on a letter, and had
telegraphed as soon spossible-for which act
Miss Rowan thanked her companion with
tears in her eyes.
Her conductor did not say much of his w
accord, but in replying to her questions he
was politely sympathetic. She thought OF
little outside the fearful picture which filled
every corner of her brain, but from her con-
ductor's received the impression that
he was a medical adviser who had seen the
sufferer, and assisted in the treatment of the
case. She did not ask his name, nor did he
reveal it.
AtPaddington he placed her in a ladies'
carriage and left her.
He was a smoker, he said. She wondered
somewhat at this desertion. Then the train
sped down West. At the large stations the
gentleman came to her and offered her re-
freshments. Hunger seemed to have left
her; but she accepted a cup of tea once or
twice. At last sorrow, fatigue, and weak
ness produced by such a prolonged fast had
their natural effect. With the tears still OH
her lashes the girl fell asleep, and must have
slept for many miles; a sleep unbroken by
stoppages at stations,
Her conductor at last aroused her. He
stood at the door of the carriage. 1--WE must
get out here" he said. AL the momentarily-
forgotten anguish came back to her as she
stood beside him on the almost unoccupied
platform.
Are we there at last?'' she asked.
II am sorry to say we have still a long
drive; would you like to rest tirst?"
Mono. Come on, if you please" She
spoke with feyerish eagerncss.
The man bowed. "a carriage waits" he
said.
Outside the station was a carriage of some
sort, drawn by one horse, and driven by q
man muffied up to the eyes. 1t was still
night, but Madeline fancied dawn could no
be far off. Her conductor opened the door OF
the carriage and waited for her to enter.
She paused. ASK him-that man mus
know fl
u am most remiss," said the gentleman
He exchanged a few words with the driver
and coming back, told Madeline that Mr
Carr was still alive, sensible, and expecting
her eagerly.
"Oh, please. please drive fast" said thu
poor girl, springing into. the carriage. The
gentleman seated himself beside her, and fol
a long time they drove on in silence. At las
they stopped. The dawn was just glimmer
ing. They alighted in front of a house. The
door was open. Madeline entered swiftly
(which way-which way?' she asked. Sht
was too agitated to notice any surroundings
her one wish was to reach her lover.
ALLOW me- said the conductor, passing
her. "This way; please follow me-" HI
went up a short fight of stairs, then paused
and opened a door quietly. He stood aside
for the girl to enter. The room was DIM,
lit, and contained a bed with drawn curtains
Madeline flew past her travelling companion
and, as she threw herself on her knees besid.
the bed upon which she expected to see til,
helpless and shattered form of the man sh,
loved, heard, or fancied she heard, the doc
locked behind her.