The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1896-09-18

-z~... tiful thing! She
had read as much in moral philosophy,
and likewise in poetry. Few feelings
could compare with it in unselfish fer
vor and constancy. And, as she had
said, Edward was one brother in ten
thousand-and not to be compared with
common men.
She began the preparations FOR the
drive at half-past two, pursuant to her
husbands directions. Not that she
expected to leave the house that after
noon, Edwards judgment being, IN her
estimation, but one remove from infal-
libility; she could not believe that the
trial of the horses would result as Mr..
Withers had predicted, but that they
would be remanded to the stable and
custody of the unreliable jockey with
out approaching her door, or gladden.
ing Harriet's eyes. Nevertheless, the
order had gone forth that she should
don her cloak. furs, hat and gloves be-
fore three o'clock, and Mr.. Withers
would be displeased were he to return
at five and find her in her home dress.
Harriet tapped at her door before she
was half ready.
"Just to remind you, my dear ma
DAM" she said, sweetly "of what ny
cousin said about keeping the horses
standing" She was equipped cap-a-
pie for the excursion, and Constance re-
newed her silent accusation of imper-
tinent forwardness as she saw her trip
down stairs to take her station at
front window, that my cousin" might
see, at the first glance, that she WIS
ready and eager for the promised-and
because promised by him-certain
pleasure of the jaunt.
Constance was surprised, five minutes
before the hour designated, TO hear a
hustle and mems voices in the lower
hall. They had really come, then, in
spite Of her representations. Draw
ing on her gloves that she might not
be accused of dilatoriness, she walked
to the door of her chamber when it
was thrown wide against her by her
maid.
ooh. ma'amw she blubbered. her
cheeks like ashes and her eyes bullying
from their sockets. MAY all the bless
ed saints have mercy upon We! There's
been the dreadfullest accident! Them
brutes of horses has run away, and Mr.
Witherses and Mr. Edward is both
killed dead! They're bringing them
upstairs this blessed mint, and
catching her mistresss skirt as she
dashed past her-"you're not to be
frightened, ma'am, the doctor says! He
sent me up fo- to tell you CAREFUL
Unhearing and unheeding, Constance
wrested her dress from the girls hold.
and met upon the upper landing OF the
staircase four men bearing a senseless
form. The head was sunk upon the
breast, and the face hidden by the
shoulders of those who carried him, but
her eyes fell instantly upon the right
hand, which hung loosely by his side
She recognized the fur gauntlet that
covered ii as one of pair of riding
gloves she had given Edward Withers
at Christmas, and which he had worn
since whenever he drove or rode. She
had seen him pocket them that morn
ing before going out.
Mrs. Withers! my dear lady! you
really must not touch him yet" said
the attendant physician. preventing her
when she would have thrown her arms
about the injured man. He pulled her
back by main force, that the body
might be carried into the chamber she
had just quilted.
Let me go! Let me go! Do you
hear me?" her voice rising into a
shrill scream that chilled the veins and
panied the hearts of all who heard It,
Dead or alive, he belongs to me, and
to no one else! Mani how dare you
hold me? You do not know how much
l loved him-my darling! oh, my dar-
lingw
The doctor was a muscular man, but,
in her agony of despair, she was
stronger than he, babe fair to master
him, as she wrestled to undo his grasp
upon her arms.
rs there no one in this place Sho
can persuade her to be calm?" he
asked, imploringly, looking back down
the stairs.
There was a movement at the foot
Of the steps. then the crowd parted in
stantly and silently, unnoticed by the
frantic woman. She was still strug-
Cling, threatening and praying to be
released when pallid face, strsakcd
with blood, confronted her-a tender
hand touched her arm. Constance,
my dear. sister. my poor girl, come
with mel Will you not?" said COM
passionate tones.
"She has tainted. That is the best
thing that could have happened" said
the doctor, sustaining the dead weight
of the sinking figure with more ease
than he had held the writhing one
They bore her across the hall to Ed
wards room as the most convenient ic-
treat for her in her insensible state, and
while the maid-servant loosened bel
dress and applied restoratives, a moro
anxious group was gathered in her
apartment about her husband. His Wis
tble injuries were severe, IL not danger.
Gus. His collar bone and right arm
were broken, but 1t was feared that
there was internal and more serious
hurt. Just as a gasp and a hollow
groan attested the return OF conscious.