The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-19


granny now and then, when she was not
looking at Huldah, ministering to her
wants, wondered in her own way who had
done the deed, and why?
But neither Abe nor his mother spoke of
Devos, and indeed he occupied very Secon-
Diary place in their thoughts just at the mo
ment. 1t Huldah who claimed all their
care and thought-Huldah, who lay, white
and speechess on the bed and who, spite of
all their endeavors, they had not been able
| to rouse nor to bring back to consciousness
Past twelve,"N said Mrs. BeamiSh. Mr..
Harvey promised to send Doctor Bennett out
to US. Guess he won't be here before morn
ing now, Abe. How wan she do look! If she
would but speak now just one word, or open
her eyes and look at US even, Abe, it would
be a comfort
Maybe doctor will give her something to
bring her round quickly" said Abe, anxious
ly. Don't ye fret, mother. Any girl would
have gone off at such sight poor Huldah
| saw-her lover, too-him she loved so dear!
Poor lamb, poor lamb! my heart do bleed
for her!"
1t was morning before Doctor Bennet ar
dah's room it was easy to see from the grav-
ity of his face that he considered the case
a serious one.
ITS shock to her nervous system" he
said. She had been worrying herself about
Mr.. Guarda doubtless for some time past?"
Yes, indeed, poor child" replied Abe, sad
ly. She's fretted herself to a shadow, doc
tor, and has altered sadly"
"Ah no doubt. A terrible shock, Of course,
it was to her." he replied. "She will want
good nursing, Mr.. Beamish. I fear it may
be long time before she is able to be about
again. I'll send out medicine at once, and
will be with you again tomorrow. Perfect
quiet is what 1 must insist on. Don't recall
the past to her on any consideration when
she recovers consciouSnesS-let her believe
it's all a dream, if she can. If you have any
one you get-any trustworthy person, to
help Mrs. Beamish to nurse her, send for
her"
And so Aunt Calt3y was written to, and in
few hours the good little woman on
her way to the farm, leaving her store to be
looked after by friend.
1t was twenty-four hours after Doctor
Bennett left that Aunt Caltry reached the
farm, and when she arrived Huldah was
still unconscious. Suddenly, as she was
bending over the bed, Huldah opened her
eyes and fixed them with puzzled look on
her face.
aunt Caltry!" she muttered Where am
/? You here!''
"Yes, honey. Are you better?" asked the
little woman, anXouSly.
Better! Have I been ill?" she said then
with convulsive shldder she buried her
face in the pillows. Take me away-take
me away from here, Aunt Caltry!' she i'm
plored. "Take me away!'
When you are better-When you are able
| my dear" replied Mrs. Prout.
| Now, now!' she cried, excitedly. Take
me away! Hide me- Aunt Catry hide mel
They have Oh, what am 1 saying-what
burst"
There, lie down, my dearie-be calm" said
Aunt Caltry, soothingly. mo shall hurt
you, dearie, don't fear-no one shall hurt YOU
whilst I am by.'
Hurt me! What do you mean? Why
should they hurt me?" replied Huldah, a
strange, cunning look in her eyes. And
then, with a wild laugh she fell back on her
pillow again.
'Ah, just what feared-brain fever" said
the doctor, sorrowfully, when he returned
next day. But cheer up Mrs. Beamish; we
may pull her through, after ALL"
''May!" Uncle Abe felt heart-stricken Was
there doubt about it, then? Was it possible
that duloan, SO young, so strong, SO full of
spirits as she had been, was to close her eyes
forever on the world, almost before she had
tasted it's joys and pleasures? Were they to
lose her? He could hardly believe in the pos
sibility of such thing.
hardly, man. said the doctor. kindly.
whilst there's life there's hope and she is
young and has a good constitution It's been
sad affair all through, and they don't seem
TO have got clue yet to the perpetrator of
the murder. There's some story going about
that gun was found by you and one of the
Harvey ocys IN the swamp a week or two
ago. Is it true?"
Abe started, and his face flushed.
Eyes, it's so,'' he said reluctantly
"Oh, indeed!" replied Doctor Bennet look
ing at him curiously. And Dick was saying
the gun belonged to your hired man, Beres-
ford"
Dicks blamed chatteTbox," replied Abe.
with sudden anger, much to Doctor Bennet's
surprise. "Who told him? But, there, some
people will make mountains out of mole-hills
Beresford often went a-shooting and. NAV
be, left his gun by chance in the swamp"
| Possibly" answered the doctor. dryly:
'but think they'll be enquiring for that gun
before long. Mr.. Beamish."
And so it came to pass. But two davs
later. police-constable came to the farm
and Brian Beresford's Winchester was taken
hx,b y; 70 '~~ S~N>~NA