The diamond drill., 1901-05-18

short and the fatal red spark was
showing In the flame when there came
fash Of light in the window across
the room, the quick. sharp report of .
pistol rang out, and Richard Somers.
reeiing, plunged through her arms
face down upon the floor.
The awful silence that followed the
tragedy was broken at length by the
faint whisper of the dazed and half
unconscious girl.
Speak she said, knreling over
the PROSTATE form; "why--what is
the matter?-what has happened? ?"
Her hands found his head and passed
rapidly over IL. "You do not answer
mel" She drew slowly back from
him. chilled with a great and un-
speakable horror. Her hands were wet
and slippery. Instinctiyely she knew
IL was blood. She could not rise nor
cry out; her heart seemed paralyzed.
her throat in the clutch of an invisible
hand. The door opened silently, and
the doctors low voice was heard:
"Somers, Somers, the day is almost
breaking" There was no response.
He spoke again. Then the two figures
became dimly visible. "What has hap
pened?" he whispered, bending above
them. He, too, felt the tell-tale blood
upon his fingers rs he touched the
PROSTATE man, and. rising hastily,
struck match. Somers lay senseless
before him, the young woman kneel-
ing by his side staring speechlessly
upon her bloody hands. His quick
glance swept the room and rested
upon her. The match fell 10 the floor
and went out, leaving the scene 10
backer darkness.
"Remorsel" he said, in a whisper,
and was still. Rallying his faculties
at length. DIR. Brodnar hurriedly liz
the gas. and with his stern features
contracted examined the fallen man
and saw wound back Of the right
temple from which the dark blood was
still oozing
lie has shot himself he said. A
moment he stood with covered face,
wavering in his tracks. Suddenly the
enormity of the interests al stake
flashed upon him and stupor gave way
TO intelligent action. Selling a towel,
he wiped the girls hands ard forced
her into chair.
"Stay there" he said. "and on your
life do not cry out or leave the room
before ! return. DO you understand ?"
Yes" she said, simply and fixed her
gaze upon the window. lie bound the
towel tightly about the head OF the
wounded man, lifted him in his arms
as II he were a child. and passed out
into the night \ few moments later
the rush OF wheels was heard upon
the street
"Some patient Of the Doctors is
worse" said policeman upon a corner
two squares away as the flying We
hicls passed him.
DR.. Brodnar was rescueu from a
bad complication by his especial treas
ure, Joe, the driver.
"Go and bring your mother he said.
quickly, as he lifted the unconscious
Somers from the carriage in front of
his Office. Don't lose one second
Keep your mouth shut" Joe was out
OF hearing before the doctor reached
his operating-room. The doctors as
sistant half dressed. appeared quick
ly. Somers was stretched upon a
table and his wound critically exam
ined The bullet had entered over and
behind the right ear and the side Of
his head was clotted with blood.
second wound an inch farther back
became visible as the blood was washed
away, but a probe carefully inserted
in the forward wound came out Of
the other. touching the skull in pass
ing. There was no particle Of brain
matter in the blood
"syncope from concussion," said
Brodnar Watch him carefully until
return and do not permit him TO
speak" The sound Of wheels approach
ing caused him 10 descend the steps
three AZ a time. lie pressed back the
aged negro woman who was dismount-
ing
TO the same place Joe! Hurry"
ne said and the door closed.
The woman So hastily secured was
none other than tho mammy" who
had looked after the welfare Of Frances
since infancy. She had been encour-
aged 70 absent herself for the night
Trained under the old regime, with
sense Of proprietorship nj her old mis-
tress and daughter, with q deep and
impregnable pride in the family, She
needed no cautioning Nevertheless
DR. Brodnar said as they entered si-
lently the deserted yard:
There has been an accident, nam
my Ask no questions and answer
none. Permit nobody to see your
young mistress. DO you understand?'
"De chile amt hut, young marsterP'
NO. A friend was. Her mind has
been affected deeply by her fathers
and this shock has upset her.
You must know nothing more OF it,"
Frances sat as he had left her, in
the armchair. She offered no resistance
when they laid her upon the bed and
an opiate. The stains OF
blood were carefully removed from
her hands, and her wrapper changed,
and DR.. Brodnar prepared TO depart.
for the day was now breaking. He re-