Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-05-02

vealed to him. It was perfectly color
less, save for that tiny, trickling
stream of crimson, and the dark fringe
of lash upon the lovely cheek.
With his disengaged hand he drew
small silver flask from the breast pock-
ct of his coat, and, holding it to her
lips, he forced few drops between her
shut teeth.
At the same time he beckoned po-
liceman to approach.
Call carriage" he said.
Then, when his command had been
obeyed, unassisted, he lifted Beatrice
and placed her within it.
Giving an address to the driver but
few blocks distant, he took his
place beside her.
She was yet unconscious when the
carriage stopped before large and
handsome house.
Springing out and running lightly up
the steps, he drew latch-key from his
pocket and opening the door, disap-
peared within.
The butler stood beyond the vestibule.
my mother, Andrews-is she at
homer"
Mrs Layton and Miss Cora are both
| out, SIR
| The young man looked perplexed.
! What would his mother say on her
| return to find an invalid enforced upon
her care? But what else could be done?
However little he could hold himself
| to blame, he was the unhappy cause of
| Beatrice's accident. Her beauty and
her youth had rendered it impossible
for him to leave her to strangers.
He remembered now the white face,
as it rested against the cushions of the
| carriage, as a moment before 1t had
rested upon his arm.
AS soon as she recovered conscious
ness she could, of course, give the adj
| dress of her home and friends SO that
| his mother soon would be relieved of
! any care. At any rate, he would not
hesitate now. The wound on her head
demanded immediate attention.
81 have brought home a young lady,
Andrews" he said, "who, in crossing
the street, was kicked by one of my
horses, and is badly hurt, I fear. She
is in a cab outside, and quite uncon-
scious. You must help me to carry her
in, and then go yourself for DR.. Har-
vey. He or his partner must come at
once!"
"By Jove!" it is strange adventure"
thought Layton, as, fifteen minutes lat
err, he paced up and down the luxuri-
ously-appointed chamber, glancing fire.
uuently towards the bed, where lay Be-
atrice Markham's senseless form.
One or two of the maid servants bent
over her and gently bathed the blood
from her brow. They had u.fastened
the hat and taken it from her head, re-
vealing more fully the glorious beauty
of the red-gold hair and the whiteness
of her forehead, where it rested In
tiny, floating rings, except where the
life-f1uid had dampened it. But all
their efforts brought back no signs of
life.
An awful fear shot through the young
mans heart-that this was death on
which he looked. He drew nearer the
bed. At the same moment the physl-
clan entered the room.
"You have come, doctor-thank Cod"
he exclaimed, fervently, fastening to
add an explanation of the accident and
it's results-tke doctor, meanwhile,
carefully examining the patient and
| the wound.
"It has been a narrow escape" he
said, after a few moments; "but am
inclired to believe there is more trou-
BILE behind. The wound of itself is
scarcely sufficient so long and death
| like a swoon. You say this young lady
is stranger to you, Mr.. Layton? Had
1 not better send for an ambulance,
| and have her at once removed to the
hospital?"
"Move her in this condition? Surely.
| doctor, you are testing. Besides, one
glance will show you that she is a lady
Think Of the anxiety her friends must
be suffering! AS soon as she can
speak they shall at once be sum-
mored. But, meantime, I beg, doctor,
for the sake of my unhappy share in
this business, that you will do all that
lies in your power"
THAT, of course, I will do" replied
| the physician, who had been applying
different remedies, even While the con-
versation was taking place.
Fully fifteen minutes, however, had
elapsed before the dark lashes slowly
lifted themselves, and the beautiful
gray eyes looked wonderingly about
the ROOM Then an expression of acute
pain swept over her face, and she made
a gesture to lift her hand to her heao,
only to let it YEARLY -drop-its weight
too great for her feeble strength.
eve must ascertain at once who she
is" said DR.. Harvey, in a low aside, to
Layton. "Her pulse is rising rapidly,
and delirium may set in at any mo-
ment."
"speak to her, then, DOCTOR You are
less likely to startle her than I.
"You are with friends, my child" the
physician then said, turning toward her.
will you give me your name. that
may send word to your home?"
Beatrice mutely shook her head.
you cannot speak," questioned the
| doctor.
IT have no name-no home" she re-
piled, in low, distinct tones. LET me
go!"
And she made an effort to rise, only
| TO fall back in a second swoon.
The answer fell with startling dis
tinctness on both her hearers.
I'm afraid you've acted rashly. Mr..
LAYTON" said the doctor. endeaVorlng,
for the second time, to rouse her.
"She knows. not what she is saying.