Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-05-09
Copyright. 1899. by J. B. Lippincott Com
pany. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER II.-CoNTINUED.

CHAPTER ll.-CoNTINUED.
DR.. Brodnar was rescueu from a
Dad complication by his especial treas
.ure, Joe, the driver.
"Go and bring your mother" he said,
quickly, as he lifted the unconscious
eomers from the carriage in front of
ais office. Don't lose one second!
Eeep your mouth shut" Joe was out
Of hearing before the doctor reached
ais operating-room. The Doctors as
-sistant, half dressed, appeared quick
,ty. Somers was stretched upon a
table, and his wound critically exam
{ned. The bullet had entered over and
eehind the right ear, and the side of
ats head was clotted with blood. A
second wound an inch farther back
became visible as the blood was washed
away, but a probe carefully inserted
tn 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
Z return and do not permit him to
<peak." The sound of wheels approach
three at time. He pressed back the
.aged negro woman who was dismount-
ing.
''To the same place, Joe! Hurry"
he said, and the door closed.
The woman so hastily secured was
'aone other than the nanny" who
had looked after the welfare of Frances
since infancy. She had been encour-
aged to absent herself for the night.
Trained under the old regime, with a
sense of proprietorship in her old mis-
Sress and daughter, with deep and
Gmpregnable pride in the family, she
oeeded no cautioning. Nevertheless
Or. Brodnar said as they entered ST.
teutly the deserted yard:
"There has been an accident, man.
my. Ask no questions aud answer
aoue. Permit nobody to see your
goung mistress. Do you understand" ?"
"De chile amt hut, young marster?"
~No. A friend was. Her mind has
been affected deeply by her fathers
condition 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
administered 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-
Imembered the pistol, and was search
iug the floor for it, when the reaction
set in and Frances began to cry bit
arIu aH-in @ eli
uuy passed into the dressing-room and
ae took the girls hand.
The whole blame rests upon me-"
te said, gently. "Keep quiet; 1 will
Gee you through" And then a cry burst
from him: what a fool! what fool!
And to think that Dick Somers-!" At
&ound of this name the girls grief be-
came almost uncomfortable.
~He loved me-" she said, brokenly.
~And it has cost him his life!"
"Loved you! Never! If he had aimed
better, 1 could forgive him." She was
silent.
eff he had aimed better!"-then she
eat up with almost frantic energy.
eyes. The wound is not fatal
Erances, Frances-back, my child"
Adht llc " uln-l HuSt 20
20 him"
~You are simply mad!'
~He is my husband-I love him! I
love him!"
Brodnar groaned and turned away
ais head. Suddenly the girl shivered
and drew back, her gaze set fearfully
al something behind him.
~Close the window" she whispered
tn changed voice, "they may return"
~Why-what-what do you mean?"
He was upon his feet, strange light
I'm his face.
at came from that window" she
whispered fearfully; "some one fired
Through the Stats"
God in Heaven!" he cried, "I thank
you! Dick! Dick! forgive mel" He
plunged ont into the gray dawn and
left the girl amazed and terrified.