The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-05

world IN q case or ordinary Swooning.'
be drew n chair close to the bedside and
sat down, asking questions as to how the
accident had happened, how long the girl
had been insensible, ana the like. From
time to time he would extend his arm
and put his foretinger to her wrist; and
once he held it there SO long, with such
an anxious expression coming into his
face, that Mr.. Hartree was within an ace
of asking whether she was dead when the
doctor withdrew his hand and nodded
reassuringly. Half on hour passed with
cut any yisibleEsigns of life in the motion
less girl; she then quite suddenly gave a
feeb leztremulous sigh. and opened wide
her large, blue eyes, looking round the
room with wild stare of CONSERVATION.
i Keep perfectly quiet, all of you said
the doctor, in stern, authoritative
whisper. give her little time to recol.
lect herself. "
After waiting for short interval. he
approached her. and taking her hand in
his own ,gsaid gently
"Well Better now?'
She smiled up at him, and said in a
faint voice,
"What has been the matter with me?"
ooh. nothing muoh," he answered.
Feel any pain?''
''I seem to have a heavy weight press
ing upon my head, she said, putting her
hand TO her brow, which was still damp
from Mrs. Hartree's bathing, and then
bringing her fingers to her eyes on feel
ing the moisture.
He stepped aside to mix her another
draught.
Drink this said he. raising her head
little and holding the glass to her lips.
She gulped it down, and sank hack upon
the pillow Her gaze wandered with a
little frown Of puZzlement round upon
the faces of the people standing about her,
until she met Cecil Rawdon's eyes, and
then a CLEAN of intelligence came into
her own. Her eouDtenance lighted up,
and she endeavored to make a movement
in his direction.
"Speak to her, said Mr.. Hartree.
Cecil stepped close to the bed, and took
her cold hand in his. He tried once or
twice to speak. the words seemed to
stick in his throat. Marian stood Just
behind, and the sense of her presence was
assouroe of embarrassment to him. After
STOPPING over her a moment or two how
ever, whilst memories crowded in upon
him as they had not yet done since he had
recovered his recollection, he exclaimed,
in voice but little above a whisper
CLARA, how goes it with you now?"
81 feel very STRANGE" she answered
GA terrible weight seems to be pressing
upon my head. How came I into this
room? Where am I?''
"You were found lying in the lane, and
Mr.. Hartree had you carried in here
81 remember now. Polly threw me.
Somethingsstartledh her, and she reared
right up and tossed me off. Poor Polly,
she has never done such a thing as that
before. What has become Of her?''
"Oh, she is all right. We will not
trouble about her until you feel better -
81 had just left that girl, Miss Marston
L remember, - continued Clara, talking
in very weak voice, which was yet
plainly audible to the bystanders.
Marian involuntarily shrunk behind the
curtain at the head of the bed.
DIR. Scott, who knew nothing at all
either of RaWdon, Clara, or Marian or
the strange, romantic business which
lent such sad significance to the acct
dent that had befallen the unhappy
young woman, sat By listening quietly
Mr.. Brymer had whisperingly taken his
leave, and quilted the room, since he
could be of no further service. The mas
ter of the house stood at the window,
gazing out upon the prospect, and Mrs
Hartree was seated on chair at thelfoot
of the bed.
After a short pause, Clara exclaimed:
Cecil, she made me think that you no
longer loved me? Tell me this is not
true.'
He pressed her hand IN q conv1Isiye
*,
NJ arian would have left the room. but
that the girl must have perceived her as
she went to the door; SO Sis was con.
strained to remain where She stood. al.
though she was sensible of the ipdeIicacy
and meanness Of listening to what poor
Clara Lambert might say about her,
speaking as sheswoI1d from a sick bed.
and, maybe wTh the bitterness of q
~ Th thro,1rrb
your Jecil.'' said she, land now
girl
He 4murmured s'No' in accents intend.
ed cnly to reach her ears, though even
Whilst he did so he loathed himself al
the thought that he was deceiying her as
she lay before him, weak and Ill, AMI
appealingsto him with all the powerful
claims of old associations, old love, and
the beautiful virtue of constancy. Softly
as he breathed his answer, Marian over
heard it. She was glad that he responded
thus. This was no time for Jealousy, land
the best side of her own generous nature
was deeply touched whilst she stood lis.
tening.
'sDo you remember the walks we used
to take together at Winohcombe?" said
she, languidly closing her eyes. 81 can
see my fathers church there now, with
it's little gray tower, and messy walls,
and the sill snt white tombstones surround
ing it. There is nothing like it out in
this new land. Those were happy times,
Cecil. Poor boy, you have suffered a
great deal since we parted. But your
memory has come back again to you. The
Lady Godiva was fine ship. Bryant
and Wood are getting anxious about her.
They always tell me she is overdue
whenever | call at their office. Is it grow
ing late? 1t is becoming very dark. Take
this weight off my head"
She was beginning to wander in her
mind. The doctor perceived it, and whis-
pered Cecil to come away from her side
he tried to gently disengage his hand.