Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-03-06
The Dark House
G. MANVILLE FENN!
Continued.


struments with a roll of linen, and,
turning from the arm once more, he
rapidly clipped away the hair and
dressed the wound in the head-a
wound so horrible that Arts shud-
dered, turned to the brandy decanter
that the old butler stood holding with
q helpless, dazed look, and poured
out good dram, while Lydia knelt
there, very pale, but calmly holding
scissors, lint, or strapping, to hand
as they were required.
"Now for the bullet" said the doc
tor, in a cheerful, airy way. "Mr. Arts,
just lend a hand here. Or, no; you
look upset Put down that decanter,
butler! this isn't a dinner-party.
That's right. Now kneel down here"
He softly raised Capel and placed
him in a convenient position before
turning to Lydia.
REALLY, think you would prefer to
go now?"
The girls lips seemed to tighten,
and she shook her head.
GAS you please" said the doctor,
testify. 81 have no time to waste. A
little back, Mr.. Critic; want all the
light [ can have. Yes, that's PLAIN
enough" he muttered, as with one
hand resting on the injured mans
shoulder where the bullet made quite
a little lump, he stretched out the
other, and from where it nestled in
the case, fitted among so much purple
velvet, he took out small knife.
There was a pleasant look of salts
faction in the doctors face as he took
out the knife; but the next moment
he turned with an angry flash upon
Lydia.
1t was the natural instructive act of
one who loves seeking to protect the
object loved; for as DR.. Heston took
he knife in his hand Lydia's eyes
dlateG, and she leaned forward,
caught the doctors arm, and gazed at
the keen little blade with dilated
eyes.
"My dear young lady, are you mad?"
cried the DOCTOR testify.
She raised her eyes to his in a look
80 full of appeal that he could read
it as easily as if she had given it with
the Interpretation of words
He was not accustomed to argue in
q case like this, but the girls loving
attempt to protect the insensible man
touched him to the heart, and dropping
his sharp, imperious manner, he said,
gently:
must not be alarmed. Do you want
the bullet to stay in and irritate the
whole length of the wound?"
She gave her head a sharp shake.
S'Well, then, be sensible, my dear
girl. There, get me bit of lint,
ne continued. "and you shall see how
easily and we'll will do this. That's
better. Why, taking tooth out is
ten times worse. This is a mere trife.
There, that's brave little woman. He
will not even feel it."
Lydia's hand had dropped from the
doctors arm, and she drew a long
breath, watching him as if her eyes
were drawn to his knife, while he
bent over Capel.
In few minutes more the patient
was lifted upon the bed, and Lydia
stood there with her hands clasped in
dread, for it seemed ominous to her
that Capel should be compelled to lie
there.
"Can he not be taken up to his
room?"
''No, my brave little nurse, no. 1t
would have been extremely nice for
him, but what he requires now is
ABSOLUTE rest and quiet. Come, come.
CIV
woman to be superstitious. Go where
you will, in old houses, there has
generally been death in some of the
bedrooms; but believe me that does
not affect the living. Why, if that were
the case, what should we do at the
hospitals? You are going to install
yourself here, then, as nurse? That's
right Let my instructions be car
ried out, and I'll come in again at
noon"
Whispered conversation went on all
through the house that day; but
though there had been the attempt at
burglary, Mr.. Critic hesitated about
calling in the police again, and on
consulting the doctor he quite agreed
that it would be better not to have
them here
4'Tt will only disturb my patient he
said; "and depend upon it, with
light and people sitting up, the Sound
rels will not come again"
well" said Mr. Critic, 1--WE will
not communicate with the police at
present"
The doctor came in at one, and
again at five, and on leaving, looked
rather serious.
|'If he is not different to this at
about nine, when L come in again, I'll
get Sir Ronald Mackenzie to see him.
I'll warn him at once that he may be
wanted"
'Then you think his case serious?"
Brain injuries always are"
At nine o'clock, when the doctor
came, his manner startled Lydia, who
had patiently watched the sufferer all
day.