Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-09-10

could scarcely stand Brett, however,
soon found cab for his young mistress,
and few more minutes brought them
to the door of James Hastings temporal
ry abode.
The moment the cab stopped the door
was opened by a respectable looking |
man, not a servant, not gentleman, a
quiet heavy person with watchful eyes. |
He looked greatly surprised when Ruth.
closely followed by Brett assembled the |
steps and paused because he blocked the |
way.
MRS Smithson amt come back |
yet.
81 suppose not" returned Ruth
promptly. That's the reason she has
telegraphed for me- and she held out
the telegram for his inspection
"Eh, ohi'' exclaimed the man as if
puzzled. Its all right then. Come in.
lis this person, nodding toward Brett,
with your
''He is / may require his services"
Once inside the door fresh courage
came to Ruth Half the battle was won.
lis Mr.. Hastings up?' she asked
1t was now little past 8.
mo" replied the man who had adj
mitted her ''He is in a very poor way"
Are you his attendant"
81 am"
"What is your manner"
johnson
"Then show me to his room and tell
him / am sent by Mrs Smithson. "
Ruth herself was amazed at the degree
of authority she threw into her tones
johnson led the way up stairs and
entered a large room looking to the
back of the house. There, on a curtain
less bed. lay her brother, pale. emaciat-
ed, unShaven, with dull, despairing
eyes and thin, transparent hands lying
listlessly ON the counterpart.
James, my dear brother Jamesi'
cried Ruth, springing forward to clasp
his nerveless hands and kiss his sunken
cheeks, while the tears rose in her eyes
"Why, Ruth. my little RUTH Why
have you deserted me?"
Deserted you'll Neither my mother
nor myself was permitted to come near
you You have been secluded from us
! all, and if you do not rouse yourself
and GO as ask you Val Carew will be
ruined"
"Eh? What? / am so weak and dazed
I am sinking fast, and food is danger
GUS for me- If might venture on {
wineglass of brandy and soda and-ant
chop
q "You shall have them at once. Why
James, you are fainting"
4 Painting for want of food, cried I
1 stout, elderly woman who entered tn
!, room as Ruth uttered these words
4 ''Beg your parding. m, but there
something not right going on Sine
I've been here, now three weeks, tn
nurse, Mrs Smithson, has cut off some
IL thing from his diet every day. He
p dying by hinches, he is. -
% "Get him some food directly" erie
Ruth, "and some brandy at once.
l. The debilitated hypochondriac rallie
when the restorative was administers
St and seemed unwilling to let his sister
~ hand go.
g You'll stay with me, Ruth Don
III leave me, " was his cry
N AS soon as he had some food sh
opened the subject of Walls difficulties
5 Hastings was greatly astonished. Il
10 denied having ever heard Of the accus;
as ton made against his cousin, but pc
sn fectly remembered the fact of sendin
him his check for $500, with lett'
er OF advice and remonstrance, and W;
ne now eager to corroborate Carew's q
as count of it.
nt At this stage Of the affair the sour
of voices in alteration outside the do
p struck their ears, and Hastings chang'
nu color.
he "She has returned" he exclaime
''Mind you don't leave me. Mrs Sor
ne ers is q careful, clever woman, but
no don't think she understands my case. >
va The door opening interrupted hiI
'or and Mrs Somers, In entering, turned
ng face some one behind her without sc
an ing who was in the room
So "You have no right to force yourst
'o- into Mr.. Hastings presence. He is in
100 most critical condition, and it needs {
my care and experience to keep hi
NJ alive"
ac- "It's my duty to come in to see
1to harm comes to my young lady" So
the voice Of Brett in slow but resolT
zen tones ''She has every right to be wi
her own brother"
'rk. "Your young lady," repeated M
-. Somers in amazement, again turniI
= and then perceiving who stood by |
patients bedside. Ruth was startled