Little Falls herald., 1901-03-22

HE HEARD THE SHARP REPORT OF
A REVOLVER
shot from the dark ambush. A metal
comb lin the coil of her hair flew
tinkling to the asphalt walk. The
next instant the major had thrown his
body between Blanche epd the direc-
tion from whence the shots came.
"Stand behind me, for Gods sake!"
he cried out, clasping her slender form
in his strong arms. ''Don't move for
Gods sake. she will kill you'll"
He was trying at once to keep her
sheltered behind him and to push her
towards the house when there was
another shot.
"Oh!" he cried out sharply in sud-
den pain. He started to put his hand
to his right side, but he seemed to re-
member her peril, and with both
hands still on her shoulders he con-
. tinued to push her on. He. heard a
clatter of feet in the direction of the
house. 1t was James and Talley COM
ing at the top of their speed.
''Help! Help!" he cried, and then
his head began to lean forward. "Oh,
my God, am shot and can't help you.
Oh, darling, run, run!''
He feebly pushed her from him. and
as he did so fell face downward on
the walk. She stopped over him, hard
ly knowing what she did. but the
movement saved her life. for there
was another shot and ball passed
directly over her head. James and
TaMey were now quite near. Blanche
heard retreating steps in the wood,
growing fainter and fainter as the
assailant escaped, but she was speech
less.
Goddard raised himself on his elbow
and, pointing to the wood, cried, faint
ly: "Police! Catch her!" Then his
head fell backward. He had tainted.
Taking him up, James and .Talley,
aided by the butler, bore him into the
drawing-room and laid him on
couch. The staring, bewildered maids
came to Blanche's assistance and drew
her into the house. She fell on her
knees by the major, and remained
there while Talley was telepnoning
for doctor. His face was colorless,
his eyes were closed. She unbuttoned
his coat, and then the sight of his
bloody waistcoat and shirt turned her
sick with despair. She thought he
was dead. Her head sank to the edge
of the couch. His earnest cry:
"Stand behind mel" rang in her ears.
She told herself that he had died for
her as heroically as man had ever
died tor woman. But there was moth
ing to wonder at in his action, for he
had always been her hero.
For ten minutes he lay motionless.
It was the sharp ring of the door bell
which seemed to recall him to con-
sciousness. He opened his eyes and
recognized her. he put out his hand
to her head. For moment his face
worked as if he were trying to un-
derstand what had brought him there,
then as quick as q flash it. all seemed
to return to him.
II think am dying" he said, "and
I must tell you what I started-my
confessions; you must know at once.
Send the-others from the room.
Quick, darling!"
''It's DR.. Randall. DEAR" she said
with white lips. "He must see you at
once!"
"No, not ti1l-till-'
But the doctor, a tall, athletic man,
full-bearded and gentle-voiced, was
bending over him. ..~
Il must make an examination,
major" he said, quickly. 'Everything
must give way to me just now. You
seem to have been struck in a vital
part
But I must at once make conf
Dental disclosure to her, DOCTOR"
pleaded Goddard, his eyes fixed on
Blanche's face. " : r.
''There is plenty of time for that,
major. said DR.. Randall, who was
hurriedly unrolling bandages and
opening his medicine case He turned
to Blanche; gave her his hands and
lifted her up. 81 think he said,.
gently, "that; it would be. better-it
would excite him less il you would go
into the next room He seems bent
on talking to you.'' cEz y 81: ~
+ Reluctantly Blanche withdrew. s$&.s:gs 81
DR.. Randall cut away the shirt and
underwear from theeyicinity Of the
wound. & ss4.t T:1s,s. ss*==,, 81.
"Your .ssailant used. big revolver, =.
he said. This ID IN ugly wound! j!
major. ~ 81. q ss: ssss: 8
''Is it absolutely fatal. doctor r.
asked Goddard. 81 s@s
ut Is impossible to say just now, to
b perfectly frank" said the. doctor.
II must probe for that big ball; 1T
has lodged somewhere. Ny instru-
ments will be here in q moment. =
Concluded mex { week. 3