Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-09-08


in it for her. / could see. too. that she
was proud of her handsome boy lover
in a certain way. AS she sat on the
sand, looking so very lovely in her
white dress, with that far away look
in her dewy, blue eyes, she would stroke
with her slim fingers the blond head
that lay so luxuriously on her lap and
smile shyly up at me for congratulation
and approval.
And then came the first chapter in
the tragedy.
The three of US had been for a long
ramble along the beach, and Archie had
his pockets filled with shells and other
treasures, gained by his sweetheart.
We were on our way back, for rain had
begun to fall heavily, and few rum
bles of thunder warned us of the typ
zeal Welsh storm that was in store for
us. We were making short cut up
winding path through the cliffs when
the storm broke in all its fury.
| don't think | have ever seen such
lightning or heard such thunder, not
even in the tropics. l was leading the
way and between the awful peals l
could hear Archie encouraging the
beautiful girl he was half carrying, half
dragging along, for she was terrified
almost out of her wits.
There suddenly came a peal loud
enough TO wake the dead, and as it died
away l uttered a yell Of warning and
sprang aside. A huge piece of rock.
fully four feet high, loosened by the
shock, was sliding down the path AS
I fxlo nd n
sick with horror, for the pair were just
at a point where they could not hope
to escape it. They could not turn to
the right or left, and Immediately be-
hind them was another rock, immov-
ably fixed, and against which the down.
coming fragment would grind them, as
it seemed, to pieces.
1t all happened in an instant. was
powerless to help. AT the instant, APP
parently, that the rock was sliding up
on them, l saw Archie suddenly seize
Dorothy in his arms, below the waist,
and lift her up Higher and higher he
raised her, till she rested on his Shout
der. Then there was a horrible
crunching sound that l shall never for
get, and l saw the boys face turn
fainting girl up and up, out OF danger
He also called on me to help him.
1t took strong men with crowbars to
release my friend By good fortune
the rock that had fallen was conical
shaped, the smaller end uppermost,
else he would inevitably have been
crushed to atoms AS it was both his
legs were shattered from the knees
down.
No sufferer was ever nursed as
Archie was. Dorothy, whose grief was
pitiable. would never have left his side,
if I had not forced her to do so. Her
aunt was equally devoted, while |, OF
course. did what l could.
For a month he scarcely spoke. Then
he whispered to me one evening: Il
suppose it's all up with me. jack"
Nonsense, my boy" l answered,
huskily, you're good for fifty years
yet"
i know" he murmured, wistfully,
"but a cripple for life. eh, Jack?'
I could not speak and left the room.
Had not the great London surgeon told
me on his last flying visit that there
were but two acknowledgements
of both limbs or death? TIE decision,
moreover. must be made within week.
I had of coruse, written to the Ire
vor family OF the accident, and then,
one divinely beautiful August night,
Lieutenant Guy Trevor, Archie's elder
brother, came to Rose cottage TO see
him.
His ship, the New York, was at Ports
mouth. and the moment he heard OF
the boys mishap, he hurried to him.
And the great, big sailor-he was owe.
six feet and looked like some giant or
the Orient. with his splendid proper
lions and tanned features-knelt by his
Young brothers bed and spoke to him
with sobs in his deep, bass voice.
Through the window saw the meet
ing between the sailor and Dorothy
and I have often wondered since then
why l did not scent the trouble at the
time.
Both stood for an instant perfectly
still. transfxed by each others wonder
ful phvsical beauty. Then Guy intro
duced himself. and the two walked
slowly away. talking in whispers OF the
calamity that had befallen the boy botn
loved so dearly.
twice during that week saw the
tears stealing down the cheeks OF t1e
cripple as he lay there so still, on MS
narrow white bed. Once he spoke 10
me of Dorothy. You must tell her'
old man" he whispered, that l release
her Internationally.
"Sbe will not hear Of it," l answered.
And then the day arrived for the re-
turn of the London surgeon. He brought
two assistants with him. Guy, Dorothy
and were present at their interview
with the lad. ~ :,
Let me understand" said Archie, in
weak tones. but bravely, If l DO not
choose to submit 10 this-this operation,
it IS certain death, is ii?
The great man bowed his head.
What shall l do, Dorothy? The
tones were very tremulous low.
ooh. ARCHER she sobbed, sinking on
her knees by the bed, submit to it for
nv sake. 1t will make no difference.
I will care for you as long as ! live
| happened to glance at the giant,
CIV. and saw that his bronzed face
had turned almost white.
well" sighed the patient, softly
strokjng the bright head of the kneeling
girl. 1T shall be as you say. snail we
begin. doctor? -.
mot tonight, my boy" answered the
surgeon. rather huskily-the man evil
IDENTIFY possessed some feeling-"you will
need all your strength. Tomorrow
morning, early
He did not finish the sentence, and all
bnt I withdrew, Dorothy weeping 81
lently. I sat and watched my young
friend sink into restless sleep.
l must have doZed myself for l pres