Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-06-26


Fpasseth understanding" already grve
I repose to the recently distraught feat
ures.
We separated her gently from Mad
am, across whose form she Law, and
las we did so Darracott made a dis
4 eoyery that forced q terrified exclama-
3tion from his set lips.
MY Godl What is thisr'
He pointed to an ominous stain that
ran along the white gown where the
girls side had pressed against his
mothers
"She had fallen upon the scissors,''
cried, forgetting that the men had
no knowledge of the dangerous in
>strument that had been hidden i'm the
SgirPs hand.
81 "Scissors? they both calculated.
Yes" / explained hurriedly, while
DR.. Spencer searched the slender BODY
TO find the whereabouts of the wound.
"She meant to strike you with them.
< think, Mr.. Chester. Oh! poor child
] poor childr'
8 Then my thoughts fed from her to
Zone of far greater consequence.
and turned to Madam. who still Law
IN that awful trance of unconscious
ness which bears so horrible q like
ness to death, white and still, but an
imposing figure even in her prostra
! ton. raised her head tenderly ana
placed it on my knee. Then l gather
:. led her hands into mine, and was about
Ito chafe them between my palms,
when, in raising the right arm, which
had been stretched along her side. l
beheld fearful sight.
s "Ohi here-herer' 1 cried. The two
men had lifted poor Alice and were
placing her decently upon n lounge
They FASTENED towards nue. as I called
out, and L pointed to my dear lady.
! The side against which her arm had
, lain was soaked with blood. and
from it protruded the handles of the
scissors, which but n few minutes
since had been cutting roses from
. their stalkSi
y "Oh! my GOdr' exclaimed DR.. Spenc-
Aer; but Darracott said nothing.
8 glanced at him. His face was Iu.a
that of the dead, or like that of tho
living who lay senseless upon my
knee
= DIR. Spencer tenderly examined the
wound, as well as he could without
removing the sharp blades.
8 They have gone deep, L fear" he
said finally. However, though the
Gwound must be an ugly one it need
not necessarily prove dangerous. we
must get her to the morning-room.
II
1 think?'
3 Darracott nodded. know now
what he suffered IN those moments.
suspected 1t even then. That passion
ate love for his mother which he had
though chilled and benumbed bv cold
ness and neglect had famed hotIy into
life at sight OF her thus laid low.
8 Il will ring for Mayberry," i said,
with glance in the direction of the
lounge. But at this suggestion Darra-
I cott broke his silence.
"Wait?' he commanded peremptor.
lily, with scant regard for whom he
was addressing. mo more of that
brood until she is removed"
With reverent hands and tenderest
care they raised Madam, and bore
ner TO the morning-room A temDor-
ary bed upon wide and ample lounge
was quickly improvised by Franklin
(who had appeared to announce dinner
Just as we were in the act of lifting
Madam) and myself, and upo., this
we placed her.
"Can you assist me, or win it be
too much OF an ordeal for your" the
4 doctor asked. Il can send for my
mother"
scorned the proposition, although
4 Darracott was disposed to favor it.
No one shall do for Madam but l."
4 insisted. IF your mother will come
to be OF comfort TO poor Mayberry, 7
4 shall be relieved. After all, horrible
as this is, she is n mother who has
I lost daughter and under fearful cir
\ eumstances. She is greatly to be
pitied."
MY mother will Gomez he returned
briefly. VIII you go and send a mes
senGer for her, and then come back
shere ut once, please? i shall need you
Immediately"
ITO be continued