The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-13


| self, '+but he mist be very III, or she would
not send for me- How shall | go? How
did You get this at such an hour.
Its very extraordinary they must
! have some one III power 10 help them, re-
/ turned MacDougal. drawing his hand
across his brow. Its only few minutes
| since / had it. The tingle of the bell
reused me; | sleep next the office. |
| turned out in q jiffy. for | thought IL was
| something ont OF the way pressing, and
/ then came the message. I've run here
| every step, and now I'll sit down and rest
/ bit while you get ready"
| He sank on an oaken settle which stood
/ near the door. Ruth trembling with hope
| and fear. in dread of her impending inter
| view with the formidable nurse. and de-
! termined TO brave all and everything for
| Fal's sake, hurried TO the buffers room
/ from whence came audible snOres.
Brett" called Ruth. knocking on the
/ door with a stick she had caught up from
/ the umbrella stand. Brett"
'Eh. what?" cried sleepy voice at
| last, is the house on fire2"
| Get up Brett and dress. Dress to come
| into town with me. | will tell you every
| thing AFTER
"Oh, Lord, is it you, miss? I'll be ready
| in five minutes"
| In short time the whole household was
| afoot, the groom reused, the ponies got
! ready and hasty breakfast prepared.
! The earliest train they could catch was
| one which halted N Nutfield, some five
/ miles off. and this Ruth decided to catch.
Meantime MacDougal, who it appeared
| had GoZed on the settle, $ emed much re-
| freshed by a cup of tea, and having ex-
! horted Miss Hastings TO be sure and put
| the telegram in her pocket, he departed
| homeward after an emphatic God bless
| you. God send you success" addressed to
| Ruth.
| The strain of such journey can well
| be imagined, the Cnawing anxiety. the
! dread of arriving too late the seeming
! slowness OF the swiftest express. From
| Waterloo she had the presence of mind to
| telegraph TO Carew's solicitor. Ply the
| time they reached New cross Ruth could
| scarcely stand. Brett, however. soon
! found cab for his young mistress, and
! few more minutes brought them to the
door OF James Hastings temporary abode.
| The moment the cab stopped the door
| was opened by 4 espectable-looking man,
| not servant, not gentleman, quiet,
| heavy. person, with watchful eyes. He
| looked greatly surprised when Ruth.
| closely followed by Brett. assembled the
steps, and paused because he blocked the
| way.
Mrs. Smithson isn't come back vet"
| Il suppose not" returned Ruth
| promptly. That's the reason she has
| teiegraphed for me, " and she held out the
| telegram for his inspection.
"Eh. oh ~ exclaimed the man, as if puz-
| zled. Its ell right then, come in. Is
| this person." nodding towards Brett,
| with YOU"
He is. | may require his services"
Once inside the doc: fresh courage came
| to Ruth, half the battle was won.
| lis Mr.. Hastings up?" she asked.
| 1t was now little past 9.
No" replied the man who had admit
ted her. He is in very poor way"
| Are you his attendant"
II am"
What is your name?"
johnson"
Then show me to his room and tell
| him | am sent by Mrs. Smithson." Ruth
| herself was amazed at the degree Of
| authority she threw into her tones.
Johnson led the way upstairs and en-
| tered large room looking TO the back of
| the house. There. on curtainless bed,
| lay her brother, pale, emaciated. unshaven,
| with dull, despairing eyes, and thin, trans
parent hands, lying iistlessly on the coun-
terpane.
James, my dear brother James," cried
Ruth, springing forward to clasp his
nerveless hands and kiss his sunken
cheeks, while the tears rose in her ewes.
why, Ruth; my little Ruth! Why
have you deserted mel"
Deserted youl Neither my mother nor
myself were permitted to come near YOU.
! on have been secluded from US ALL and
If you do not rouse yourself and do as |
ask you, Val Carew will be ruined"
''Eh, what | am so weak and dazed |
am sinking fast, and food is dangerous for
me. If | might venture on wine glass of
brandy and soda and-and a chop
You shall have them at once. Why,
James. you are fainting'
Painting for want of food" cried
stout elderly woman, who entered the
room as Ruth uttered these words Beg
your .parding, m, but there's something
~ rT1rhr moi, -
| now three weeks. the nurse, Mrs. Smith
son, has cut of something from his diet
every day-he's dying by hinches, he is"
Get him some food directly" cried
Ruth, land some brandy at once
The debiiltated hypochondriac rallied
| when the restorative was administered,
and seemed unwilling To let his sisters
| hand go.
You'll stay with me, Ruth don't leave
| me-" was his cry
| As soon as he had some food she opened
| the subject of Walls difficulties Hastings
| was greatly astonisned. He denied hav-
| ing ever heard of the accusation against
| his cousin, but perfectly remembered the
| fact of sending him has check for $500.
| with letter OF advice and remOnstran,e,
| and was now eager 10 corrOborate Carew's
account of IL.
At this stage of the affair the sound Of
t voices in alteration outside the door
| struck their ears, and Hastings changed
/ color.
she has returned" he exclaimed.
! mind you don't leave me- Mrs. Somers
! Is a careful, clever woman, but | don't
| think she understands my case
| The door opening interrupted him, and
/ Mrs. Somers in entering turned to face
| some one behind her without seeing who
was in the room.
! You have no right to force yourself into
| Mr.. Hastings presence. He is in a most
| critical condition. and it needs ali my care
/ ana experience TO keep him alive"
| Its my duty 10 come in. to see no harm
| comes 10 my young lady" said the voice
/ of Brett in slow but resOute tones. she
has every right to be with her own
| brother"
Your young LADY," repeated Mrs. SOM
| ers IN amaZeynent. again turning, and then
| percelylng who stood by her patients bed
! side. Ruth was startled by the change in
| her countenance from its usual expression
! OF penSive gentleneSs TO fierce and cruel
| look, like a wild animal in the tolls deter
! mined 10 struggle u the last
| What, YOU here,' she exclaimed when
! her eyes fell upon Ruth. How did YOU
! come? Who brought YOU htre?"
| Your own telegram" and Ruth pro-
| duced IT.
1T is base trick cried Mrs. Somers.
! ! never sent one-see it IS not signed with
my name"
| The signature admitted me. however"
| returned Ruth who had risen tn her feet
! feeling new courage come with rush
| My mother wishes me 10 stay with him,
| and | will
Mrs. SOmers controlled herself hv q