Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-01-17


from town. That's just what was going
to do"
l went on reading; Mrs. Dinton went
on Milking.
"They tell me some of the younI.
peoples got whole bundle of torches
from funston, and they're going to skate
tonight by torchlight. And oh, what
Go you think, sir? Marty, the carrier,
tells me that the old doctor over ut
Tunston's i'll in bed with gout."
"Humph! Might send for Inc to help
him. | muttcrcd to myself.
can, that he has got n local demon
down from London to help him."
"Ah what!" roarcd.
"Wcll, sir, |. thought it strange, but
that's what Marty said"
"No, no; locum tcncns, Mrs. Dinton. i,
'No, sir; he said local demon rs plain
as plain, and Dick Marly's very careful
man. You won't go skating, sir? did
dusty your skatcscs." !"
"No, no, Mrs. Dinton. Too busy.
thanks.
''Poor old fellow! Goute We'll, he
VIII not want me" said to myself, and
l read till The sun set red over the hill.
and then ill the mist was gray, and the
night set in as it does set in during u
january frost
AS sat over my tea i'll my cosey, warm
room, and listened to the hllmminp of the
frosty wind outside, | turned in my chair
TO listen to merry chorus, us party
went by my window, and the clinlz of Il
pair of skates told ne what their mission
must be-
l read on for perhaps an hour, quite in
good spirits, and was mentally treating !.
very bad sprain successfully. when Mrs.
Dinton hustled into the room.
"a letter for you, sir Man brought
it from the Hall, sir"
"From the IIall?" I cried. cxcitedly.
as he waitngH
"No, sir; he's gone again. Said YOU
was to come on directly"
opened the envelope with TREMBLING
fingers, and read, written in Il bo!d clear
hand
MIR. RUSSELL: Come on to the Hall ,ii-
rcctiy Lord John has met with an accident;
Leg badly fractured. Bring your instru-
mants'"
"Lord John !" exclaimed. "Tthoueht
his lordship was in town"
II did hear rs he WIS expected down
at any time, sir. Is anything the mat
tcri"
LEG broken!" said, hurricdly.
"Quick, Mrs. Dinton, my coat!'
"Blcss les and save usl Poor, dear
man! He's slipped OH the front door
steps rs sure rs Pm sinful woman, and
him with ho0seful o. servants, and not
to think to throw down Il shovel of ash
Here's your comforter, sir"
slipped the things on, stuffed band
ages and splints into my pockets, bottle
or two i'll others, and then caught M a
long mahogony box from the sidcboard
cupboard.
"Oh, for goodness sake, sir, don't say
us you're going to"
That's all, l think!" I said breath
lessly. "Don't sit up if I'm late"
The next minute, withou, hearing Mrs.
Dinton's reply, was out in the frosty
night thinking OF the task had in hand,
and the possibilities.
| had Il mile and half TO 80, passino
two or three farm houses before reached
the park with its fine avenue OF oaks;
and just before l reached the last house,
with its ruddy lights staining the pure
snow, | could see other lights down in
a hollow to my left and hear shouts as
the smoky torches OF the skaters plided
here and there.
almost ran the rest of the way, and
kept expecting to see the Illuminated
windows of the old Elizabethan Hall;
but al! was darl: and still, and when |
reached the place, was saluted by the
baying of dog, and man came out of
a yard to my right with lantern, while
beyond Inn could see the lights in the
stables.
'Who's tLerc?"
"l-Mr. Russell" said. sWill YOU
show me the way up to thc house,"
"Ics, sir; but there's no one there,
sir. Mr.. Bcnnct and old Sam are in the
stables"
'What, is he therc?" | said.
eyes, sir, and mighty bad"
''Be quick, then. How did the acci-
dent occur?'
"Well, sir, that's what can't make
out said the old bailiif, whom L now
recognized, as he led me toward the
stable. "No business to La slipped up
MS he did, for it's only three days Since he
was roughcd."
"What?' I said, as we entered the
stable where group Of people were
standing in front Of STALL
CHAD him wc!!-roughcd" said the
bailiif
"My good mani" exclaimed; "has
not Lord Jonn broken his leg?"
"Ycs, sir, worse luck! and only fetch
ing load OF wood; and n fine taking
his lordship will be in, and the young In,
dies, too, when they come down, for he's
a fine old favorite o. theirs. Morton SAYS
there's nothing for him but the pole-ax,
and then the kennel after we've took off
his skin"
Here, | said, unbuttoning nv coat
and tniSinu thp lnttp. from, ~ 1,roost