Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-02-19

ards so afraid"
Kendall. Brenda was sufficiently and
very becomingly attired, and not SO
much as single shining thread of her
hair showed the smallest disarray, yet
she could not help feeling sense Of
disadvantage. Having leaned upon the
conventionalities quite steadily all her
life. she had come to need them, and
Or. Kendall was to her young man
whom she had met In society rather
than physician. She was surprised
and little ashamed to find that this
was true.
AS for Kendall, he was all doctor
that morning. He had been detained
from Elsie longer than he would have
wished. and that strange thing which
Is a Doctors conscience was driving
him hard. He wasted no time in words
until he had satisfied himself about his
patient. In the course of his investiga-
ton he discovered that Elsie still calm
Iy believed that she would die of her
wound, and this was the sole unfayor-
able symptom. 1t was the more re-
markable because she had not ut that
time any sensations which a rational
mind could attribute to the approach
of dissolution. There was pain, of
course, but 1t was not of the kind that
depresses and frightens the sufferer.
The doctor spoke to her in the most
encouraging words that he could COM
mand, but they seemed not to produce
an adequate effect. Elsie said little
upon the subject of death, but it was
clear that her mind was fixed upon 1t.
Il must hurry away" said the doc
tor. Mr.. Alden is waiting In my room
; in state of anxiety that need not de-
i scribe. I shall not only relieve that
completely, but shall tell him that he
may see you this afternoon, five min
utes precisely, and Miss Maclane will
hold the watch"
"Tell him, please" said Elsie, that
I thank him very much for the violets;
also that received his message and
that he must not think Of 1t any more.
You will remember? He must put it
out of his mind"
Kendall glanced somewhat uneasily
ut Brenda as he repeated this singular
message.
Il received from Mrs. Simmons" said
he, "a telegram sent to her from your
mother-that is, from one of the family.
haven't 1t here; must have left 1t in
my room"-and he pretended to search
his pockets. 1T said that your mother
was not quite well enough to start at
once, and, in view Of the encouraging
kilograms sent last night, your rela-
tives wouldn't let her come unless she
was quite able to make the journey.
Mrs. Simmons message, sent immedi-
ately after you were hurt, was quite
alarming, I'm afraid; but we have cor
rected all that"
"My mother is prostrated," said
Elsie, her eyes filling with tears. "and
/ shall never see her again"
II assure you that you WILL" replied
Kendall earnestly, land, by the way.
here's letter from her. 1t came this
morning, l was told. There was no
other mail for you"
tits strange what has become of Mr..
Alden's letter." said Elsie, "the one he
III ludl lOtcs
'Do you mean that you didn't receive
it?" exclaimed Brenda.
Elsie shook her head.
ut didn't come" she said.
Kendall did not understand the sig
nificance of this, as he had no accurate
knowledge of the contents of the note.
He arose and moved toward the door,
Brenda accompanying him.
IF you should chance to meet Mr..
Elmendorf this morning." said she,
perhaps it would be better not to men,
ton what you have just heard"
about the letter."
Eyes"
II will not speak Of it." said Kendall,
land as to the message which 1 shall
take to Mr.. Alden from Miss Miller,
while Of course l attach no sinister
meaning to 1t, shall take pains to for
get 1t Immediately"
Eve cannot know what 1t is that she
wishes him to put out of his mind,'''
said Brenda. Perhaps his love for
her."
1--WE will take that view of It," re.
piled Kendall.
AT this moment nurse came to take
instructions about breakfast for Bren.
da and the patient, and she brought
word that Mr.. Maclane was in the re.
ception room, very anxious to see his
daughter.