The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-07-12
IARLANb. 800, o

while the maid-servant loosened Der
dress and applied restoratives, more
anxious group was gathered In her
apartment about her husband. His WIS.,
IDLE injuries were severe, IL not danger
GUS. His collar bone and right arm
were broken, but it was feared that
there was internal and more serious
| hurt. Just as gasp and hollow
groan attested the return OF conscious
ness, a message was brought to Edward
from the opposite bedroom.
"She do call for you all the time,
sir, or / would not have made so bold
as to disturb ye," said the girl who
had beckoned him to the entrance.
'She Is bit out of her head, poor
lady"
Where is Miss Field? Why does
she not attend to Mrs Withers?" asked
Edward. glancing reluctantly at his
brothers bed.
In after days he could smile ar the
| recollection of the reply, uttered with
contemptuous Indifference: ooh, hes
a-going into high strikes on the back
parlor sofy."
At the time, he was only conscious Of
impatience at the call of pity that
Obliged him - leave his perhaps dying
relative in the hands OF comparative
strangers. He ceased to regret his COM
pliance when the tears that burst from
Constance's eyes at sight of him were
not attended by the rawlings which had
terrified her attendants He sat down
upon the edge of the bed, and leaned
over to kiss the sobbing lips. MY
dear sister, precious child" he said, as
mother might soothe an affrighted
daughter, and she dropped her head
upon his shoulder, to weep herself into
silence, II not composure.
When she could listen, he gave her
the history Of the misadventure in a
few words. Mr.. Withers had insisted
upon handling the reins himself This
accounted to the auditor for his use of
Edwards gloves as being thicker than
his. although their owner made no men,
ton of having lent them to him. The
horses had behaved tolerably well un-
TIL they were within three blocks Of
home, when they had SHE'D violently
at passing omnibus, jerked the reins
from the drivers hands, and dashed
down the street, the sleigh upset at the
first corner, and both the occupants
were thrown out, Mr.. Withers striking
forcibly against lamp-post while Ed
ward was partially stunned against the
curb-stone, They had been brought to
their own door in carriage, the
younger brother reviving in time to
alight, with a little assistance from
a friendly bystander. and to superin-
tend the others removal to the house
and up the stairs.
Constance heard him through with
out interruption or comment, volun
tarily raised her head from it's resting
place. and lay back upon her pillows.
covering her face with her hands. One
or two quiet tears made their way be-
tween her fingers ere she removed
them, but her hysterical sobbing had
ceased. II am thankful for your safe
ty." she said so composedly that 1t
sounded coldly unfeeling. "Now 60
back to your brother. He needs you.
and do not. shall be better soon.
and then must bear my part in nurs-
ing him. If he should ask for me. let
me know without delay" She sent
her servants out when he had gone.
and locked her door on the inside.
Who'd have thought that she and
Mr.. Edward would take 1t so hard?"
said the cook, as exponent Of the views
of the kitchen cabinet. IF SO be the
masther shouldn't get over this, It will
go nigh to killing her. never knowed
she were that fond Of him. All, we'll,
she ought to be, for it's her he'll leave
well provided for, I'll be bound! Them
as has heaps to Fave has plenty to
mourn for them"
An hour elapsed before Mr.. withers
understood Alright where he was and
what had happened. and then his wife's
face was the first object he recognized.
II was almost as bloodless as his, yet
she was collected and helpful. a more
efficient coadjutor to the surgeons than
was fidgety Harriet, whose buzzings
and coverings over the wounded man
reminded Edward OF noisy and per-
sistent CAD fly.
The moved gentleness Of Constance's
tone In answering the patients in
quiries was mistaken by the attendants
for fondest commiseration, and the
family physicians unspoken thought
would have chimed In well with the
servants verdict. Mr.. and Mrs. With
ers were not reputed to be loving
couple. but In moments of distress and
danger, the truth generally came to
light. No husband, however idolized,
could be nursed more faithfully or have
excited greater anguish OF solicitude
than spoke In her dry eyes and rigid
features. even II her wild outbreak
at first seeing him had not betrayed
her real aAntiments