The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-07-26


left their resting-place upon the vlsage
OF which they were taking long fare
well. There was little to be apprc-
henaed from the rich mans restless re-
CARDS, which wandered necessarily
from her to the betrothed couple, his
gray eyebrows contracting With pain
or mental disquiet as he did SO. Had
Evelyn been free to maintain her usual
watch upon him, she would have taken
alarm at these Increasing symptoms of
distress and the livid hue settling IN
on his complexion. Constance did not
notice these until simultaneously with
the changing of the bell overhead and
the rapid rush Of feet toward the shore,
he threw both hands outward, with the
aimlegs clutch Of sightless man, and
fell against her as she sat by him on
the Sofa
The utmost confusion reigned in the
saloon for few moments exclama-
tions, inquiries and orders loud,
varied and useless. Then Edwards
strong voice recommended, in string
ent terms, that the room be cleared
OF all except the immediate attendants
of the sufferer, including a gentleman
who had introduced himself as ply
stefan. The spasm passed into swoon
SO deathly and protracted that Con-
stance was ready to believe tho pa
tient was beyond the reach OF earthly
aid, notwithstanding the doctors as
sertion that he would probahl revive,
and even Evelyn murmured once when
Edward would have confirmed the
cheering assurance: st may be. I
hope so; but never saw him quite
so i'll before"
Finally life fought its way back, inch
by inch, to the worn heart; the fingers
relaxed from their rigid clinch. the lips
were less purple. and the eyes were I'M
closed feebly upon the anxious group.
When he could move Edward and the
physician supported him to his state
room, followed by Evelyn. Constance,
left to herself, had leisure to observe
what had not until now drawn her at
tention. The hustle of embarkation had
ceased. but through the almost desert
ed saloon sounded the measured throb
Z of the powerful engines as they urged
the boat through the water. She threw
open a window and looked out, They
were already far down the bay, the
spires of the city lessening In the dis.
lance, and the vessel under full head
way. She met Edward at the state
room door with the startling intelli-
gence For an instant he looked as
aghast as herself, then he recovered his
self-possession with smile. She
must compose herself and trust
him to extricate them both from
the predicament in which his
thoughtlessness had placed them.
The worst that could befall them was
few hours delay in returning home.
He would see the captain forthwith,
and request him to signal the first
homeward- bound pilot-boat or other
vessel they might espy.
Constance did as he babe her--re-
sumed her seat. and seemed to await
the result Of the affair patiently Il
am afraid your brother may be alarmed
atsour continued absence was her on
ly remark
He will understand at once what has
happened when John goes home with
the news that he drove us down to see
the steamer of, !" replied Edward, COM
fidently. "We shall have merry
laugh tomorrow at breakfast over our
adventure. So long as you are not un-
happy or angry with me, am COM
Portable on the score Of Elnathan's dis
pleasure"
tTo he coNTINuEpD &