The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-05-09


be sent for, and messenger dispatched
for Mr. Falconer, who was soon on the
spot.
An examination proved that the injury
was on the head, which had come in contact
with the sharp hoof of one of the horses.
'1t's miracle that he was not killed in
stanty,' said the surgeon, gravely, as he
looked up from the examination; ''you had
better get him home as soon as possible"
"Will he live, do you thinll!" Mr.. Fal-
coner asked the question anxiously; he
dreaded the effect of the shock on Isabel.
SIT is impossible to predict" replied the
surgeon. "If this was the first injury, and
he was in full bodily strength, there would
be more hope" and he shook his head doubt
fully.
1sabel'S heart sank within her when
Pompey appeared alone, breathless with his
haste, and with his honest, black face con-
vulsed with grief. 1t was the first time in
her life she had faced such tragical event.
and she almost tainted with dread as Pom
pey told his story, his voice chozed with
emotion.
Mrs. Montford came at once to the rescue
with her brave heart ana strong hands,
and while Isabel gave way to her uncon-
trollable grief, she quickly made bed ready
for the reception of the poor, limp form,
which now appeared In sight, borne on a
stretcher by strong hands.
''Be brave, my darling" whispered Mr..
Falconer, as he took his sorrowing wife in
his arms brief moment, after the father
had been laid on his bed and the men had
departed; ''while there is life there is hope,
and every thing which human skill can do
shall be done for him.
There uvaS q diSoOlOrad hr,liCo on
skull, near the spot where the first injury
had been received, and this was carefully
shaven and treated in the best possible
manner by the surgeon, who, with DR.. Con-
roy, had accompanied the sad procession.
He lay unconscious still with fluttering
breath, and a faint irregular beating of the
heart only to tell that he was yet alive.
kilograms were at once sent to Major
Darlington and Mrs, Pembroke and then
the family, with DR.. Conroy, settled down
to anxious waiting for further develop
mentS.
1t was nearly midnight when he aroused
from his deathly stupor; DR.. Conroy had
laid down upon couch in the room, and Isa-
bel and Mr.. Falconer sat by the bedside.
He had urged her to retire with the rest
of the family, but she could not; she had
felt intutively that the injury was fatal, and
she could not lose the precious moments of
the life so dear to her and which she be-
lieved to be so short.
She was pale, but more composed, and she
rose and leaned eagerly over him as she
observed u fiuttering movement in one of
the white hands which lay upon the counter
pane; moment more and the quiver ran
over his features, and then the mild blue
eyes opened slowly There was strange
look in them; the far-away expression was
gone, and replaced by new intelligence
"Alicia," he murmured, in low, tremu.
lous voice, 'where am la'' and his eyes slow
ly wandered, taking in the unfamiliar
apartment.
sin my house, father" and she bent over
him tenderly; wild, sweet hope had seized
her. that he was yet going to recognize and
love her.
''You call me father" he said, slowly and
feebly. 81 had but one child, and she
was little babe"
"And am she," the warm tears falling
on his face. "Your baby and Alicias
grown up to womanhood, dear father"
SIS it possible'' he said, looking at her
wistfully and gently, ''and where have l
been all these years"
"Dear sir, 1 fear you are exerting YOUR
self too much," said DR.. Conroy, who had
ton. He came forward and laid his hand
on his patients pale brow. ''You have been
injured, and as soon as you are able to bear
it, all these things shall be explained to
you" He administered a needed remedy,
talking cheerfully and soothinglythe while
Chester Darlington looked in I5abel's face
longingly and earnestly, seeming to fear
that the knowledge he had gained would
slip away from him. 'Alicia's ehild,n he
murmured, my little Isabelr
eyes, father" she replied, taking his
hand in hers and caressing it, "your Isabel
and hers" and, still clasping his hand, she
watched HIM as he dropped again into a
semi-unconscious state, half slumber, half
stupor.
Isabel looked at her husband with happy
eyes. "He knew me. Thank God for that"
she whispered.
"A wonderful thing that his memory
should come back TO him." said DIR. Conroy.
'poes the fact give you any more hope of
him!" she asked, anxiously.
He shook his head. "My dear Mrs. Fal-