The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-03

fectly quiet, If you ever expect to walk
again"
II tell you cannot lie here" shouted
the sufferer, in the greatest agony OF
mind. sYou don't know what you say
when you demand it. I must, I will
be around by night. 1t is Of vital i'm.
portance."
II cannot help 1t. The dealings Of
Providence are mysterious, but also are
inevitable. Your hip is broken, your
spine is injured, and you are a prisoner
for MONTHS" was the Doctors serious
but firm reply.
"My God! what on earth then is tc
become Of my poor" His lordship
paused, wiped the great drops Of agony
from his brow, and concluded the sen.
tence in feeble wall, @my poor plans,
my business"
do not worry over your earthly al
fairs. You surely can give orders to
some person to attend to all and every
thing. Your chief duty now is to bear
up, while I do what I can for your re-
lief, so that you may at least have COM
Portable night, If there is comfort to be
had after so dreadful an accident" re-
turned the physician.
"Doctor, answer me one question, and,
at your peril, answer truly. Is there
danger of delirium? Will my mind give
way under this awful pain?"
Il think not. Your constitution IS a
good one, and your nervous system not
at all shattered; but Of course I do not
say for q certainty, as these things are
beyond q physicians knowledge"
"If there is the least danger OF that
within twenty-four hours I must know
it, as have business of vital Importance
to transact"
There is no danger within that time,
rest assured; SO try and calm yourself,
for the sake Of your friends" returned
the Doctor.
Sir Reginald was silent for moment;
then his eyes rested half-inquiringly up
on his weeping wife and niece, then fixed
themselves, as if in deep study, upon the
face Of his nephew, while bitter sighs
escaped his white, trembling lips.
HDrink this, my dear sir, and 1t will, l
hope, relieve you," said the Doctor at
last, advancing to his side with some
liquid medicine in glass.
ANSWER first, will it deaden thought?
II it will, I cannot swallow it, as 1 have
a terrible problem to be solved before my
mind can have rest" was the strange
reply.
"Drink it. 1t may soothe pain, but, !
assure you, not prevent reflection"
So the trembling baronet swallowed
the potion, and then became silent and
thoughtful.
DR. Elfenstein waited until he saw his
patient Gained and more pliable, then
proceeded to replace the bone OF the
broken hip and arrange the sufferer in
the position most important for the sue
cess of his surgery.
After giving explicit directions to Lady
Constance and Mrs. Freedom, an old
family nurse, for his further treatment,
he withdrew, promising to return by
evening to see how his remedies were
working, and to bring other needed arti-
cles for his comfort and relief.
No sooner had the door closed upon
his retiring form than Sir Reginald Or
dered every soul to leave the room ex-
cept Lady Constance, merely explaining
to the wondering ones that he must con-
cult his wife upon a matter of impor-
tance.
Constance" said he, when he saw
that his order had been obeyed and that
they were alone, Ego to my library and
get me from the locked drawer of my
bookcase, a letter which lies upon the
very top. The key you will find in my
pocket"
Lady Constance instantly did as
he directed, and the letter from his
dead sister was once more in his hand.
This time he read it in different
mood.
Instead Of anger, one could see intense
satisfaction in his eager eyes.
@Now, will tell you the request made
of me in this letter." and he repeated to
her the words we read over the shoulders
of his niece and nephew. as they stealth
ily possessed themselves Of its contents.
"This girl needs home for few
months. l need some private assistance,
and you need some person to aid you and
the nurse in taking care of me, or at
least in amusing me. If this Ethel is
willing to do as 1 wish, will pay her for
her services well, and thus my sisters
desires will be carried out. What say
you to the arrangement"
II am perfectly willing to acquiesce in
what you think best" was the meek re-
ply of the wife.
"Then give me paper and pencil
while write a telegrap phic dispatch.
"There," said he, handing her the fol-
lowing message, addressed to the person
alluded to:
"Sir Glendenning is III. You can be
useful here II you wish, so come instant
Iy. Answer. Will be met at station"
@Call the coschman; tell him to take
Jerry and 60 with all speed to the office
and see mat this is sent at once. Have
him wait for an answer"
A short time elapsed only, when
Matthew returned with this message: Il
will come to you or the 4 o'clock train"
A few words concisely written, but on
them hung a long train Of terrible events
that the movements of the dread future
could alone unfold.
CHAPTER x.
MRS. NEvERGAIL.