Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-01-22
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sir, or would not have made so bold
as to disturb ye," said the girl who
had beckoned him to the entrance.
"She is a bit out Of her head, poor
ladyw
where is Miss Field? Why does
she not attend to Mrs. Withers?" asked
Edward, glancing reluctantly at his
brothers bed.
In after days he could smile at the
recollection Of the reply, uttered with
contemptuous indifference: "Oh, hes
a-going into high strikes on the back
parlor sofy."
At the time, he was only conscious Of
impotence at the call of pity that
obliged him to leave his perhaps dying
relative in the. hands Of comparative
strangers He ceased to regret his COM
pliance when the tears that burst from
Constance's eyes at sight Of him were
not attended by the rawlings which had
terrified her attendants. He sat down
upon the edge of the bed, and leaned
over to kiss the sobbing lips. my
dear sister, precious child" he said, as
a mother might soothe an affrighted
daughter, and she dropped her head
upon his shoulder, to weep herself into
silence, If not composure.
When she could listen, he gave her
the history Of the misadyenture in a
few words. Mr.. Withers had insisted
upon handling the reins himself. This
accounted to the auditor for his use Of
Edwards gloves as being thicker than
his, although their owner made no men,
ton Of having lent them to him. The.
horses had behaved tolerably well I'M
til they were within three blocks Of
home, when they had SHE'D violently
at passing omnibus, jerked the reins
from the drivers hands, and dashed
down the street, the sleigh upset at the
first corner, and both the occupants
were thrown out, Mr.. Withers striking
forcibly against lamp-post, while Ed
ward was partially stunned against the
curb-stone, They had been brought to
their own door in carriage, the
younger brother reviving in time to
alight, with little assistance from
friendly bystander, and to superin-
tend the others removal to the house
and up the stairs.
Constance heard him through with
out interruption or comment, volun-
tarily raised her head from it's resting
place, and lay back upon her pillows,
covering her face with her hands. One
or two quiet tears made their way be-
tween her fingers ere she removed
them, but her historical sobbing had
ceased. II am thankful for your safe
ty," she said so composedly that it
sounded coldly unfeeling. Now go
back to your brother. He needs you,
and I do not. l shall be better. soon,
and then l must bear my part in nurs-
ing him. If he should ask for me, let
me know without delay" She sent
her servants out when he had gone,
and locked her door on the inside.
Who'd have thought that she and
Mr.. Edward would take 1t so hard?"
said the cook, as exponent of the views
of the kitchen cabinet. IF so be the
masther shouldn't get over this, it will
go nigh to killing her. l never knowed
she were that fond of him. All, we'll,
she ought to be, for it's her he'll leave
we'll provided for, I'll be bound! Them
as has heaps to Lave has plenty to
mourn for them"
An hour elapsed before Mr.. Withers
understood Alright where he was and
what had happened, and then his wife's
face was the first object he recognized.
1t was almost as bloodless as his, yet
she was collected and helpful, more
efficient coadjutor to the surgeons than
was fidgety Harriet, whose buzzings
and hoverings over the wounded man
reminded Edward of a noisy and per-
sistent CAD fly.
The moved gentleness Of Constance's
tone in answering the patients in
quiries was mistaken by the attendants
| for fondest commiseration, and the
family physicians unspoken thought
would have chimed in we'll with the
servants verdict. Mr.. and Mrs. With
ers were not reputed to be loving
couple, but in moments Of distress and
danger, the truth generally came to
light. No husband, however idolized,
could be nursed more faithfully or have
excited greater anguish of solicitude
than spoke in her dry eyes and rigid
features, even If her wild outbreak
at first seeing him had not betrayed
her real sentiments.
In her calmer review of the scene,
Constance could feel grateful for the
spectators misconception which had
shielded her from the consequences Of
her madness; could shudder at the
thought of the ignominy she had mar
rowly escaped. But this was not the
gulf from which she now recoiled with
horror and self-loathing that led her
to avoid meeting the eyes bent curious
ly or alphabetically upon her, and to
cling to the nerveless hand Of him
| whose trust she had betrayed. To
him, her husband, she had not given
thought when the dread tidings Of
disaster and death were brought to
her. What to her was an empty mar
rage vow, what the worlds reproba-