Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
CHAPTER xxx.

Geoffrey came down to breakfast about II
o'clock on the morning of that day the first
hours of which he had spent at Euston sta
tion. Not seeing Efie, he asked Lady Hon.
oris where she was, and was informed that
Anne, the French bonne. said that the child
was not well, and that she had kept her in
bed to breakfast.
"Do you mean to say that you have not
been up to see what is the matter with her?"
asked Geofrey.
"No, not yet" answered his wife. Il
have had the dressmaker mere with my new
dress for the Duchess ball tomorrow; it's
lovely, but think that there is little too
much OF the creamy lace about it.
With an exclamation of impatience,
Geofrey rose and went upstairs. He found
Effie tossing about in bed, her face flushed,
her eyes wide open and her little hands
quite hot.
"Send for the doctor at once" he said.
The doctor came and examined the child,
asking her if she had wet her feet lately.
"Yes, did, two days ago." she answered.
"But Anne did say that they would soon
get dry, il I held them to the fire, because
my other boots were not clean. Oh, my head
does ache, daddie.''
"Ah," said the doctor, and then covering
the child up took Geofrey aside and told
him that his daughter had got mild attack
of inflammation of the lungs. There was
no cause for anxiety, only she must be
looked after and guarded from chills.
Geofrey asked if he should get trained
nurse.
"Oh, no." said the doctor. 81 do not
think it is necessary, at any rate at present.
I will tell the nurse what to do, and doubt
less your wife will keep an eye on her,"
So Anne was called up, and vowed that
she would guard the cherished child like
the apple OF her eye. Indeed. no, the boots
were not wet-there was little, a very, very
little mud on them, that was all.
"Well, don't talk so much, but see that
you attend to her properly" said Geofrey,
feeling rather doubtful, for he did not trust
Anne However, he thought he would see
himself that there was no neglect. When
she heard what was the matter, Lady Ho-
noria was much put out.
"Really," she said, children are the
most yexatious creatures in the world. The
idea of her getting Inflammation o! the
lungs in this unprovoked fashion. The end
of it will be that shall not be able to 60 to
the Duchess ball tomorrow night, and she
was so kind about it, she made quite point
OF my coming. Beside L have bought that
lovely new dress on purpose. I should
never have dreamed of going to so much
expense for anything else"
"Don't trouble yourself" said Geofrey.
"The House does not sit tomorrow; I will
look after her. Unless Efie dies in the in
terval, you will certainly be able to 60 to
the ball"
'Dies-what nonsensei The doctor says
that it is a very slight attack. Why should
she 6ie?"
'I am sure I hope that there is no fear OF
anything of the sort, Honoria. Only she
must be properly looked after. 1 do not
trust this woman Anne. have half mind
to get in a trained nurse after all
"Well, if you do, she will have to sleep
out of the house, that's all. Amelia (Lady
Garsington) is coming up tonight, and I
must have somewhere to put her maid, and
there is no room for another bed in Efie's
room"
''Oh, very we'll, very well," said Geok
frey.
II dare say that it will be all right, but if
Efie gets any worse, you will please under
stand that room must be made"
But Efie did not get worse. She remained
much about the same. Geofrey sat at home
all day; fortunately he had not to 90 to
court, and employed himself in reading
Briefs About 6 o'clock he went down to
the House, and having dined very simply
and quietly, took his seat and listened to |
some dreary talk which was being carried |
on for the benefit of the reporters, about the |
adoption of the Welsh language in the law |
courts OF Wales.
Suddenly he became aware of most ex-
traordinary sense of oppression. An indie
Unable dread took hold of him, his very soul |
was filled with terrible apprehensions and
alarm. Something dreadful seemed to knock
at the portals of his sense, horror that he
could not grasp. His mind was confused,
but little by little 1t grew clearer, and he
began to understand that danger threat
ened Beatrice, that she was in great peril.
He was sure OF it. Her agonized dying
cries reached him where he was, though in
no form which he could understand; once |
more her thought beat on his thought-once +
more and for the last time her spirit spoke
o his.
Then suddenly q cold wind seemed to
breathe upon his face and lift his hair, and
was gone. His mind was as il
lad been; again he heard the dreary orator
md saw the members slipping away to din
ler. The conditions that disturbed him
lad passed, things were as they had been.
Nor was this strange! For the link was
'roken. Beatrice was dead. She had passed
nto the domains of impenetrable silence.
Geofrey sat up with gasp, and as he did
o letter was placed in his hand. 1t was
ddressed in Beatrice's handwriting and
ore the Chester postmark. A chill fear
eized him. What did it contain? He hur-
led with it into a private room and opened
!. 1t was dated from Bryngelly on the
revious Sunday and had several inclos-