The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-07-25

From This time she quite fell in with
Lord Roland's plans, and lent him her
! hearty cooperation.
| So the day was fixed upon when
| Kate Lilburne was To be restored To
reason. health and happiness, or was
to depart without further delay TO
| that land toward which we sons ana
| daughters of mortal race are all slow
ly but surely travelling.
Two of the most eminent surgeons
in Europe had undertaken To assist
the great Sir Felix Ferris in perform
ing the critical operation, anu even
their cool heads and practiced hands
must have felt some extra strain upon
them as they began their work with
the consciousness that only thInneSs
of paper stood between their patient
and eternity.
The case was so critical that no one
was allowed in the room besides the
operating surgeon and his assistants.
In the adjoining apartment Lord Ro-
land Ayre paced slowly to and fro
his hands tightly holding his head
as though it would burst with fever
ish anxiety.
At this last moment he began to
regret that he had not sent for Lord
Lilburne
But il was too late now, the die was
cast, and as he looked at Frank Fair
field and his mother, and saw that
their anxiety was scarcely second TO
his own, he felt that he already had
companions enough in his misery.
To the three watchers the minutes
that pass are like hours before the
door they watch so eagerly gently
opens, and one Of the surgeons, with Il
smiling face, beckOns them into the
room.
I'VE have succeeded. Her reason is
already coming back to her" said Sir
Felix Ferris. in low tone.
Il just then Kate lifted her head.
extending her hands in terror,
-, aimed:
Grace, l won't hide here; tell you
i am afraid
She looked about her, but the room
was strange, so were the faces until
her eyes lighted upon that of her
lover.
Then the first smile that had wreath
ell her face since that fearful night
came over it. and she held out her
hands to him as she asked:
Roland have | been dreaming? |
thought it was Christmas night, and
we We're all playing at hide-and-seek,
Grace was perSuading me to hide in the
turret-chamber in the old tower, and
suddenly thought | was falling down
some awful chaSm, and then | woke
with the fright. But where am |?
don't know this place, and who are
these people,"
She asked me in a low tone not
wishing 10 seem rude, but Mrs. Fair
field came forward and asked:
Don't you know me, dearie?''
"Df course l dO-Nurse Fairfield. my
foster-mother: but that isn't Frank
at is Frank" was the reply.
But now the doctors interpOSed and
suggested quiet and an absence of all
excitement.
The operation had been completely
successful, but it was well not to put
too great strain upon the newly
awakened intellect.
So Kate was persuaded to try and
sleep for while, having previously
been assured that everything should
be explained to her in good time, and
Lord Roland and Frank went away
with the doctors, While Mrs. Fairfield
alone remained to guard her nursing.
The young lady should be taken to
some quiet place by the sea-" and ex-
citement Of every kind should be care
fully avoided for several months to
come said the great surgeon who
had conducted the operation.
For several months repeated
Lord Roland. in disnay: do you mean
that several months mus elapse be-
fore it will be safe for her to marry"
Most decidedly" was the reply:
under very favorable conditions. and
provided she is kept free from all
trouble and anxiety in the interval. it
may be safe for her to marry in De-
cember, but certainly not before, and
it is now the end Of July"
Lord Roland almost grOaned
He had arranged all his plans so
that If the operation were successful
his marriage with Kate might take
place almost Immediately. and then
he would gladden. the heart Of her
father by taking her back to Silverton.
For the sake Of the family honor he
had no intention of exposing Grace
to public shame, but he meant to
brighten her by the unexpected APP
pearance Of her victim, and by making
her betray herself, place it completely
out or her power to do her sister any
further injury.
The doctors decision. however, SER
iously disarranged his lOrdship's plans,
and he began TO think anxiOusly as to
whether it was not his duty to See
Lord Lilburne and acquaint him with
daughters safety, and with what
had happened since they parted.
But the fear Of Grace. the dread that
she might find some means yet OF get
ting rid of the sister whom it was evil
dent she hated made him pause and
hesitate. while second considerat ton
forced itself upon his mind and II :,