Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-01

moment he stood. with covered face,
wavering in his tracks. Suddenly the
enormty of the interests at stake
flashed upon him and stupor gave way
to intelligent action. Selling towel,
he wiped the girls hands and forced
her into a chair.
Stay there" he said, land on your
! life do not cry out or leave the room
before return. Do you understands
yes" she said, simply, and fixed her
gaze upon the window. He bound the
towel tightly about the head of the
wounded man, lifted him in his arms
as if he were a child. ,and passed out
into the night. A few moments later
the rush of wheels was heard upon
the street.
"Some patient of the doctors is
worse" said policeman upon corner
two squares away as the flying We
hicle passed him.
| DR.. BroHnar was rescued from a
bad complication by his especial treas
ure, Joe the driver.
go and bring your m other" he said,
|
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. A
second wound an inch farther back
became visible as the blood was washed
away. but 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 eoncussion," 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 at a time. He pressed back the
aged negro woman who was dismount-
ing.
ITO the same place, Joe! Hurry"
he said. and the door closed.
The woman so hastily secured was
none 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-
tress and daughter. with a deep and
impregn BILE pride in the family, she
needed no cautioning. Nevertheless
DR.. Brodnar said as they entered 81
lrnt.y the deserted yard:
"There has been an accident, man.
my Ask no questions and answer
none. Permit nobody to see your
young 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. BE re-
membered the pistol and was search
ing the hoor for it. when the reaction
. set in and Frances began to cry bit
. terly. Obeying his silent motion. ma m
: my passed into the dressing room and
, he took the girls hand.
: THE whole blame rests upon me"
he said, gently. Keep quiet; ! will
see you through" And then cry burst
from him: What a fool! what fool.
And to think that Dick Somer>-!" AT
: sound of this name the girls grief be
: came almost uncomfortable
, "He loved me-" she said, brokenly
, "And il has cost him his life!"
, Loved you! Never! If he had aimed
5 better, | could forgive him" She was
/ silent.
4. IF he had aimed better!"-then she
5 sat up with almost frantic energy.
Yes. The wound is not fatal
. Frances Frances-back. my child
e Take me to him--I must, must &c
: TO him"
+You are simply mad"
r "He is my husband-I love him!
8 love him"
- Brodnar groaned and turned away
1 his head Suddenly the girl shiverec
r and drew back. her gaze set fearfully
4 on something behind him.
: "Close the window" she whispered
I in a changed voice, they may return.
v "Why-w what do You mean?'
r He was upon his feet, a strange ligh
|, in his face.
e At came from that window sh'
4 whispered fearfully; some one fire.
through the Stats"
L "God in Heaven" he cried, 81 thanl
). you, Dick! Dick! forgive me-" H.
3 plunged out into the gray dawn ant
= left the girl amazed and terrified.
CHAPTER III.
a Richmond at the time these event
:. were occurring was in a tumult of ex
8 element. The quarrel between tn
l. north and south in congress had lon
v since reached the acute stage, an
X preparations were forming for tina
A titanic struggle which was TO shak
r America for four long years. Sout
o Carolina had led Off, followed by Ala
bama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgif