The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-09-11

to notice the stand beside me covered
with books. with which | had valnly
tried TO alleviate my confinement, and |
struck my arm ut the very spot where !
had been wounded.
A shiver passed over the father; the |
daughter gave an involuntary start, |
My coat, which had been thrown loose |
ly over III" shoulder, had become dis |
arranged, exposing the arm. upon |
which every eye was turned. Poth Mr.. |
Stanforth and Helen bent forward i'll |
tently. We were congratulatng our
selves that no damage had been done
when on the white shirt sleeve ap-
peared spot of bright red blood.
Jackson, run! The doctor! Quick
Tell him the wound has opencd"
l sank back on the sofa. Mr.. Stan
forth began running about wildly; Mrs.
Stanforth entered in wonder; the scrv-
ants Gocked in with open eyes and
mouths.
Papa, your handkerchief"
Helen Stanforth spoke the words as
coolly as iS she had been an experienced
surgeon. With her fathers h2ndker-
chief she iInproviscd n tourniquet, and
the bleeding stopped Mt once.
"Now, see here" said the doctor when
he had arrived and repaired the dam
age, you've had n close call, sir. Per
haps you'll pay some attention here
after to what | tell you, sir"
"NcXt time. Doctor" l said fecbly,
"let me 60 My life is OF little moment
to me-
AS l spoke Helen, who had gone out
Of the room for something, returned.
"Ah, Miss Stanforth," said the doc
tor 81 will leave the patient in your
care. You seem to be always on hand
when he needs you and to know exact
ly what to do. Let the others keep
away"
81 will relieve you, DOCTOR" she said
quietly.
The doctor gathered up his belong
ings and left the room, leaving Helen
standing looking ut me with n certain
| curious carnestness that l could not
interpret AS she had been the indirect
cause of my mishap, l naturally cX-
! pected she would refer to 1t, perhaps
express some regret. She was think
ing Of an entirely different matter.
"Wby Is your life of little moment ia
| you?" she asked.
You overheard?"
Eyes"
You have right to require me to
disclose my affiliations in the great
struggle in which we are involved, but
my private gricfs"--
81 ask your pardon" There was no
regret expressed. 1t was simply Il well
1 bred way of noticing that she had fail
ed to elicit the information she desired
II should have got on we'll enough
continued, "if that confoundcd stand
had not been In the way. | believe
could go now just as we'll rs not"
paused. l was very weak. May
ask you to hand me that glassT | add
ed, looking at a tumblcr containing
brandy.
Without noticing the proof of my in
ability to do rs ! asserted she handed
me the glass ana when | had taken q
swallow put 1t back on the table. IIcl
GOODNESS was beginning to irritatc me.
81 have mind to get up and go on,
l said. ~ don't believe there Is any
danger"
what did the doctor say?"
"He told me to keep quiet as val
ued my life
"Eou don't value your life; therefore
you will get up and go on-in Other
words, commit suicide"
"You know very. we'll that it gals me
to be obliged to impose upon family
that has loaded me with kindness with
out declaring my identity"
'Thcn why not declare itY'
because it doesn't suit my plans t.
do so."
was acting ungraciously, rccklcssly
and | knew it, but | was in no cond!
tlon to fence with this cool creature.
Shall l leave you?" she asked, with
out appearing ut all offended.
II don't need your attention"
"You need some ones attention
Will have Jackson sit In the hall, whcr,
he can hear you If you ring" Aud sh,
walked out of the room.
lTo BE COA hiNuED.1