The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-10-17

al LtoS SIit SlNbBi up lTbIIl ntI lTuuk,
and exhausted with her emotions she
had stumbled to Il chair which stood at
h head Of her bed. She tottered to the
seat AMI sat staring at the door of the
room which faced the head of her bed.
And now u new train of thought
forced itself upon her. There were duties
to perform to the dead. How was she
performing her duties? Or what was to
be done? Tomorrow her aunt would be
taken from the house. Perhaps tomor-
row she would find the courage to do her
duty. to forget her own selfish troubles.
Tonight she could not.
She had no idea how long she had
been seated at her bedside nor when she
had fallen asleep, bat she was awakened
ont of Il pleasant drcam-a dream which
was not ovc]r>hadOwed by any suspicion
of sorrow or Of deUth-by hearing her
self called in a loud voice.
Miss Rodney! Miss Rodney
With Il startlcdrrv she sprang to her
feet, unconscious where she was. 1t was
some appreciate moments before she
could rccollcct where she ; standing
or what had happened.
Then she opened the door, and IL
swering the summons, again repeated,
with IL Yes, l am here she saw a
CLEAN of light Oh the landing beneath
her.
you sleep soundly. I I'm glad to
know it. Will You follow me down
stairs?'
"Oh, DIR. Percival, cried the young
girl, recognizing the voice. II will be
with you presently"
She hastily retired to her room and
bathed her face in cold water. She knew
she could not hope to wash away all
traces of her tears in a moment, but
what did it matter? There was the kind
doctor below waiting to give her the OPP
portunity she sought-the opportunity
of escaping from the house Of the dead.
Taking u cloak and a hat with her, she
descended the stairs and was soon stand
ing alongside DR.. Percival, whose kind
Miss Rodney's ~disheveled appearance.
He held a lamp in his hand.
II want to speak to you," he said,
II will light you down stairs" holding
the lamp on high.
Ethel sought the front room. AS she
descended the stairs she saw a light in
the dining room and heard the hum of
voices.
She rightly surmised that some of the
police force were in the room. She had
asked them early in the day if it was
possible that they would relieve her Of
the charge of the house until she had
time to recover herself. She had been
told an inquest would be held, and she
knew that her aunt's body would be
removed next day from the house, but
during the day she had battled strenu-
ously with her thoughts whenever she
felt they were drifting into an inquiry
as to what was to happen. Now she
felt possessed Of a strange new courage.
Whatever was to be done, whatever her
duty to the dead was, she would face it
u~nfiinchingly. The storm of grief had
passed away. Bounteous sleep had clear
ed the terror laden atmosphere.
"Now, my dear young lady" said
DR.. Percival, II don't think this will
be Il proper place for you to spend the
next few days. You must pardon my
intruding upon your affairs, but at a
time like the present conventionality is
not the most c~ommendable form of
treatment"
at is very kind of you to interest
yourself in me-" said Ethel, "partic-
ularly at a time like this" She felt the
tears rising to her eyes as she spoke,
but not the tears of grief which had
choked and blinded her earlier in the
day.
"Now," said DR.. Percival, Il have q
commission for you from my wife. She
asks that you will come round to our
place for a few days until you can settle
your plans for the future. I am glad to
see you have got your hat and cloak
with you We can send for anything
else you may require. Come with me. -
A quick flush Of pleasure mounted to
the young girls cheeks.
Then | am not altogether friend
less, was the first grateful thought that
surgcd through her.