The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-07-09

should be the one earliest made intimate
with its ramiications; but the present
circumstances We're anything but ordi-
nary, and the communication ne was
called upon TO make might easily be
reckoned unprecedented. Royals in
stincts revolted from the straightfor.
ward method; it seemed to him rough
and brutal. He still hoped, in some as
yet misty and mysterious manner, to be
able to spare Phyllis little. or at least
to soften things for her. knowledge OF
her afhiction had aroused his interest in
way totally apart from, and yet
strangely commingled with. the interest
awakened by the popularity of his own
position toward her.
To this last, indeed, he gave little
thought, for in his mind she was still toe
closely associated with John Royal to
admit of Identification in any way with
himself. He was simply conscious as
man of an infinite pity for her and as
a physician Of the fact that here was
case which would require delicate han
ding.
His thought hovered around Mrs. Hart
with an ever increasing sense of relief and
satisfaction. Here was a beacon amid
the rough waters for them. He had been
brought too frequently into juxtaposi-
| ton with the creature feminine under
various and trying circumstances not to
recognize sensible and helpful woman
| whenever he beheld one. If there should
be worse breakers ahead she would in
dicate their presence and also show him
1 fn oh t,to fn
more damage than would be imperative.
OF his own unaided efforts in this matter
he had come to feel profound distrust.
The event proved that he had not
reckoned without his host, for when the
! natural CONSERVATION and bewilderment
incident to an upheaval of accepted con-
ditions had passed away Mrs. Hart rallied
to- his assistance with all the gallantry
Of large natured woman. Her ac-
quaintance with John Royal had been
so slight that her regret for his death
was without the poignancy of personal
bereavement. while her admiration, sym
pathy and comprehension of his motives
| him into q chevaiier sans peur CT SAM
reproche a simple evolution OF senti
ment.
Her most active and dominant though
| in the matter was for Phyllis.
After some moments given to medita
ton. during which Royal watched her
conscious of naught SO much as the re
lief of divided responsibility, she turne
a troubled face toward him.
.sIt,s positively awful, this happenin
, inst now" she declared. 81 mean 1t
more disastrous than IT it should nav
d happened at any other time. 70
t haven't got at all the complications ye
l. Int you're a doctor and member OF u
+ family, so can speak quite freely, an
, can depend on you, I'm sure. to help q
decide what will be best for that po
u child in the other room. This calami
% ought to be kept from her. and yet no
we are going to contrive to keep II
or can't see. Perhaps you may be able
ne suggest way"
or In her anxiety she ignored the fact
ur the marriage by proxy having rea
y taken place, or rather she UNCONSCIOUS
to allowed for it on a wrong premise.
re Royal himself she accepted pretty mu
W. as his namesake had accepted him, q
DIV man who inspired trust and might n
lar her out of difHculty. The fact that
si- far he had proved himself more adro,.
for complicating difficulties than at I
If. nishing solutions for them someh
ed, failed of its proper impression. u
as ROYALS death, for the time being,
it neared to nullify ali that had preceded
lat- Royal now learned that for more !
ma a wear the girl had been under tr
and ment for the disease which obscured
{ as vision: that she had spent months
leir Mrs. Harris house in Alexandra dul
ure the previous winter, in order to De
the celebrated oculist who had charR
up. her case. and who divided his time
ray tween New York and Washington
The case had progressed 80 favorabiy
i it the great man had appointed day '
vert. in that month-indeed, within the
the fortaight-for the final and all impol
.ces, oneration which would restore her
sill or leave her hopeless forever ;,
hich Meanwhile, the strictest care naa
itch enioined to keep the patient bright
ates. hopeful. to surround her with che
,g of influences and auguries OF pro-
sgate Nature must be induced to coop
ance, with science to effect a cure ANY
J and dem or overwhelming emotion, an.
intly lent change of conditions, either 10
or physical, was to be specially gu
dow, against. That was the reason why So
Ition, not been taken to the hospital 70 oe
from ried after the accident. Royal nad
an of contact with his own pain Tor nef.
lative the same reason they had, with on
extra sent. made light OF the accident;
, one had been necessary TO tell ner
regu- guardedly, because OF . word OK 8,
had overheard, and also TO accou
nts to the fact of Royals enforced delay.
, state tt had not seemed worth while :
ust be none the marriage. Immediate
a spite SION of the money had been ma
the af- crave importance, and both partae
q been fnIlv aware that it could be ms
, moth oniv in form until the great quest
ircum- phyll;s should be decided All
rs and accident, indeed, John hoyai nas
whom more than ever insistent tnas
anicase rangements should stand Inc
There welded to him and had kepe
make. bright and interested about her
give to and 50 prevented her from think
hotel much or growing anxious
d to q She had wonderful self contrs
buried child. and knew the paramount
6 taken tance of absence of pronounced "a
ould be h,t ,vbat woman's self control W
tel and eonaI r, the strain which knowl
sw bet her lovers death must put o.
lhty Of Then, too, she had been sustalne'
nnipres- efforts by consciousness that ~
for John. as well as for herself,
o whom = -, Sorrn6 p