The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-05-04

beauty OF the face the movement re-
vealed to him. 1t 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 a
small silver flask from the breast pock-
ct of his coat, and, holding it to her
lips, he forced a few drops between her
shut teeth.
At the same time he beckoned a po-
liceman to approach.
Call a carriage" he said.
Then, when his command had been
obeyed, unassisted, he lifted Beatrice
n placed her within it.
Giving ar address to the driver but
a few blocks distant, he took his
place beside her. lg.
She was yet unconscious when the
carriage stopped before a large and
handsome house.
Springing out and running lightly up
the steps, he drew a 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 h cushions OF the
carriage, as a moment before it had
rested upon his arm.
AS soon as she recovered conscious
ness she could, Of course, give the ad-
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. p
IT 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 her go yourself for DR.. Har-
o,oo,n ""~his- partner must come at
"By Jove!" it is a strange au,o.--.n
thought Layton, as, fifteen minutes lat
er, he paced up and down the luxuri-
ously-appointed chamber, glancing fire.
quently 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 uafastened
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-fuid 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 physi-
clan entered the room.
"You have come, doctor-thank God!"
he exclaimed, ~fervently, Fastening to
| add an explanation of the accident and
its results-the doctor. meanwhile.
carefully examining the patient and
the wound.
''It has been a narrow escape" he
said, after a few moments; but I am
inclir.ed 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 a stranger to you, Mr.. Layton? Had
I 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 one 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 ayes looked wonderingly about
the room. Then an expression Of acute
pain swept over her face, and she made
q gesture to lift her hand to her head,
only to let it YEARLY dr0p-its weight
too great for her feeble strength.
1--WE must ascertain at once who. she
u.s." 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 L"
@You are with friends, my child" the
physician then said, turning toward her
'.WiIl you give me your name. that i
may send word to your homer"
Beatrice mutely shook her head.
..You cannot speak?" questioned the
doctor.
81 have no name-no home" she re-
piled. in low, distinct tones. Let me
go!'
And h made an effort to rise. only
to fall back in a second swoon. y
The answer fell with startling dis
tinnctness on both her hearers.
..II'm afraid you've acted rashly. Mr..
Layton said the doctor, en~deavoring,
the second time, to rouse her.
s'she knows not what she IL saying.
Doctor answered the young man. in-
dfg1nantly. Besides. this responsible
ty is mine. Look at that face! I would
stake my life upon the purity of that
ewoman's charactersand soul!",
But even 40 he spoke, there was g
sudden rustling without Of silken5
skirts, and q tall, elegant woman ap-
peared on the threshold Of the com