The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-04-01
CHAPTER XII.-Continued.

-
with kind of dazed interest on Dol
man and q few others as they dragged
the wounded horse up the bank; and
then went back to the house. Oh,
how hard it was to be a woman-to do
nothing but stay indoors and wiring her
hands, when her loving friend was in
such fearful danger. She had hardly
reached her room, when she was told
that man was waiting below to see
her. Harry! All, it was Harry come at
last, she thought-now she would have
a strong heart to lean upon-now She
But it was not Harry. ltwas only a
white-haired man, with face SO CHASTITY
in expression that it chilled her blood
to look at him.
where is George Arundel, Miss?
What have ye done with Master
George?"
There was reproachful appeal in
the mans manner which struck her to
the heart.
"Have you not heard? Do you not
know? We fear they were lost on the
river last night-he and Mr.. Damiens-
they started late, and one Of the horses
cAinc Dack DaQly nurC.
"Oh-h-h," Bladon groaned.
sThey may not even be hurt, If you
will only wait till
But the old man did not seem to hear
her.
"Lured him to his ruin, as the other
Wanda did his hapless father"
The poor girls bosom heaved in deep
distress; her lips moved as though she
would have uttered remonstrance, but
The depths of the old mans sorrow
awed her into silence.
''You might have spared him, miss, !"
he said presently. ''You might have
left him alone in the care of his old
servant-he was blind you know-not
much of a conquest for bonnie lass
like you. It was too bad, too bad"
"Ob, Mr.. Bladon," but sobs choked
her utterance.
Then you must have them both at
your heels" this dreadful old man con-
tinued, 'sboth this gay young French.
man and Master George. True, my
poor lad couldn't see the others eyes
devouring your pretty face-ah, you'd
better have took to one instead Of
wrecking both their lives"
But harls! A shout. 1t is man rum
ming on the ice, who calls to those
ashore to send bobsleigh with q
featherbed IN it to place above the
point.
Old Bladon was among the first to
respond to the cry. Now that there
was something to do, the old man had
cast aside his aip Of depression, and was
busy making preparation to do his
duty. Nothing was forgotten in the
hurry-blanlSets, brandy, hot water
bottles-and he alone thought TO senM
mao off In hot haste to Glaste enbury
to fetch surgeon.
Then the sad group set out up the
river, with q host of women and chill
dren at its heels, and Wanda Arlington
remained behind, agonized with the
pain of an almost unbearabie suspense.
They came at last, with the terrible
story, carried by excited schoolboys,
preceding them.
Yes, they had found one of the miss
ing opes=popr George Arundel. He
was lying with his face hppieA In the
snow, and with the wreck of a cutter
and the body of adead horse beside him.
And when Wanda Arlington learned
this dismal story, she brushed aside her
tears, and, with group Of eager, chat
tering children around her, STARTED up
the river to meet the rescuers. 1t was
easy to see by their downcast lppks that
the worst had hllaappened-the Werst, she
said bitterly to herself, was net death
''You will bring him to my room at
Mr.. Dolinan's," she said, with COM
pospre that did not deceive the kind
hearted giyermen, y9ho were tender as
women when trouble was TO the fore.
'No, no, lass, not that, not that"
The speaker was William Bladon. He
was walking beside the sleigh o little
aloof from the Others, but he advanced
to her side when she spoke.
Sand why not?" the girl said hotly.
"What have l done that you should
treat nae SO cruelty? George Arundel
was my dear fgiepd, ps well as yours,
and claim my right TO be peaF Him ii
his hour of need"
'But, miss" Il
''Nay, hear me. If he could speak.
do you think he would approve your
harshnesss"
"They think he'll peyer iiye TO win
this journeys end" Bladon whispered.
sit matters little where they take him,
lass; your lodgings as good as any,
where else, SO have thine own way,
child. F'raps was toq har1 On thee
this morn, but loved the lad dearly
an I'm old an set in my ways"
So they bore the poor, manned body
10 Dolman's house, and laid it tenderly
ON Wanda's bed.
Then came the dreaded hour, when the
physician was making his examipatiop,
and all the stricken girl could do wyaa
to pray ceasefessly and pitifulfy that
Heaven would spare her the worst.
Good, kind. gentle DIR. West, who had
Been her friend from the day after her
arrival in GlastonpurE, came from the
sick chamber at last. . ~
mo, he is not quite dead, be said.
''But I do not think he Will linger
! through the day,u
| And, without q word, at his feet
Wanda Arlington fell, as though the
verdict had stricken her with death. -
Meanwhile the villagers were hurry.
ting to and tpq searching Coz Traces Of
Che other participant of the nights ad.
venture, who had SO mysteriously dis
appeared from the scene. II was i'm.