The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-24

cOuSel could not falI 10 admire.
"You will soon be strong again, dear
said Lura. sit seems incredible that sucn
an accident should come TO one so good as
YOU are. Grace. Sometimes think that IL
tsas an accident. You see, am sentimental,
like other girls, once in awhile
Then Lura gave vent to a sharp little
laugh and sprang to her feet, gliding
swiftly from the room.
On her way to Stonefield that very day
on the stage the horses became frightened
and ran the stage was overturned, ana
several Of the passengers injured, among
them Lura Joyce.
"Confound the luckr' exclaimed the girl,
when she found her ankle spralned SO
severely as to prevent her bearing her
weight on it, "Pll never ride in that stuffy
old coach again. This serves me right for
not going on my own conveyance-the BACK
of Romeo
The driver secured farmers wagon, In
which he conveyed his passengers to the
city. Miss Joyce found shelter at the
house of friend, where, to her chagrn,
she was compelled to remain for several
DAYS on account Of her injuries.
While here she was visited by grave
looking gentleman Of thirty, whose sober
face and quiet manners were IN direct con-
trast to the bubbling exuberance of Miss
joyce This gentleman was DIR. Cotton,
really the most learned and gifted physician
| in the city. That he was friend OF Lura
joyce was proved from the cordial nature OF
their meeting.
Chow is your patient, DR.. Cotons"
! This was about the first words after
good hearty hand-shake. Lura, with one
| foot swathed resting on hassock, reclin-
ing calmly in huge rocker, was an inter-
esting picture. The grave, dark eyes of the
young doctor evinced their admiration by
the earnestness of their gaze.
! MY patient is fast gaining, and will soon
be sound as dollar-my old patient, but as
to my young one that remains to be seen,"
and Lura actually blushed under the affec-
tionate earnestness of his gaze.
$50 you heard of my little tumbles" she
retorted, quickly. Il had no idea that l
should require the services OF physician"
'That remains to be seen "
He then bent over the swollen limb, and
with deft fingers removed the wrappings.
i He assumed the physicians liberty, and
! Lura Joyce was by no means prude enough
to affect any false modesty under the cir
cumstances. She was anxious to be on her
feet again, and had full confidence in the
ability of DR.. Arthur Cotton, who would
have been called to visit Grace Penroy had
she the ordering of physician at the out
| set.
After a brief examination he regarded
her gravely, and said:
81 find fracture here that will necessi-
tate the utmost quiet for at least fort
night"
"But 1 positively can not remain idle
that length of time" declared the girl, in
| ~
Hollow by tomorrow, at furthest."
"That would be out of the question. You
are under my care now, Lura, and must
obey orders"
Something like smile touched his face.
Lura realized that he was in earnest, how
ever, and she groaned lnwardly at the pros
pect What might not happen during her
| absence from Lone Hollow!
There seemed TO be no help for it, how
ever, and poor Lura resigned herself to a
fortnight's imprisonment with the best
grace possible She had no thought Of
disputng the wisdom of DR.. Colton's dag
uosis. To Lura his word, Of all men in the
world, vas Law. She regarded Arthur
Cotton as the wisest man on the globe, and
as good as he was wise. She always felt
her inferiority while in his presence, and
this often embarrassed her so that
she shrank within herself and ceased
to shine with the full glow Of
her vivacious womanhood. Possibly
the doctor understood more than his i'm
movable countenance revealed He always
treated Lura as child-with grave Sc
robustness that awed without chilling
1t was late one afternoon of cold day in
autumn that Lura Joyce dismounted from
| ta al o1yc hoo
elapsed since she left by the same convey
ance, and during that time not word had
reached her from the inmates.
''They might all be dead for all the stir
they make" unused the girl, as she glanced
up at the curtalned windows and solemn
gray walls Of the old house. 81 wrote, but
not one had the courtesy to answer. It
seems to me that Grace ought to be out be-
fore now''
The girl tripped swiftly around to spot
where she could view the window of
Grace's room. She saw nothing of her
cousin, and at once retraced her steps, a
strange misgiving at her heart.
"Of course, nothing very bad has hap
pened or 1 should have heard of It," de-
clared Lura to herself, by way of stllling the
rising premonitions of evil.
She tried the front door to find it yielding
to her touch, and moment later she was
gliding along the wide hall. The room &C.
cupled by Grace during her illness was on
the ground floor. Here Lura passed quick
ly, only to find the chamber empty.
"She must be well and In her own COW
chamber" thought the girl, going at once
up the stairs to the room where she had
passed many happy hours with her fair
cousin.
ran fhn
come IL" from beyond, IN low voice.
Scarcelv Dad Lnra. Joyce crossed the
enreshold OF the room THAN she came to
halt and stood regarding the low couch,
with It's wealth of covering, in amazement
AT the bedside sat the colored maid Lucv
While among the pillows was face SO thin.
50 faded, so CHASTITY as to quite startle Lura
joyce.
Gould 1t De posslpte that THIS was Grace
fenroy, whom she had left but three weeks
since almost restored to health?
After a moment of hesitancy Lura ad
Vanced swiftly and stood by the bedside,
gazing INTO ene corpse-like countenance on
Inc pillow 1t was Grace, surely, but oh,
how changed To Lura it seemed that q
marsh touch or breath of air would break
the brittle thread of life.
what does this mean?" the young girl
found voice to articulat~ at length.
Lucy did not seem &c comprehend.
rs so glad you's come" she said.
young missus been wantln' you SO bad all
de time''
Yes, indeed" articulated the sick girl.
1alntly. Il feared 1 should never see YOU
again in this world''
~ GU may go for the present" Lura said
to Lucy; then, after the girl had departed
sne locked the door and seated herself be.
side the sick couch
"Now, Grace, have you strength to tel,
me what this meansa''
1T means that we were all deceived
Lura. l am going to die. For myself