The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-24

] Gall, that the assailant stood behin
her. He, whoever 1t may have been,
supposed to have entered the rool
while Miss Miller was out on the ba
cOny. l have had the place accuratel
| described to me. In the corner Of til
room near the eastern window there
quite large closet. Perhaps you nj
ticed it.''
Brenda inclined her head.
"1he assassin may have hidden hin
self there" Kendall continued. "Alis
Miller remembers stepping into tn
room through that eastern window
and she knows nothing Of what har
pened between that moment and til
time Of her awak ling here"
"She will live" said Brenda. "Sh
will remember some day."
"She can never remember what sh
did not observe" replied Kendall. 81
may be that she neither saw nor hear,
the assassin. As to the wound, l hard
~ know what to say. The knife enter
ed between the first and second rib
and passed downward very close to TIN
body wall. Ordinarily 1t would be al
most impossible to infict such .
wound. The assassin must have beer
singularly ignorant of anatomy tt
strike downward at such spot. for thu
chances were a thousand to one tina,
the bony structure would protect the
vital parts. The knife should have
cleared the first rib and hit fairly
against the second. But it happens that
Miss Miller received an injury on this
precise spot years ago, as a result Of
which the first rib Is somewhat de-
pressed. Thus the murderer was favor.
cd by an extraordinary chance. His
idea was. first, to escape being seen by
her, and, second, TO strike at the front
Of the body while standing behind in
order to avoid the blood that must fol-
low the blow. Having struck, be I'M
doubleday supposed that he had reach
ed the heart, and only n miracle pre-
vented. Our ambulance surgeon belicy-
cd that the wall Of the heart was pune
tured and that eliot of blood was stop.
ping the wound. as happens once in q
million times, That is not the case. Not
only did the knife miss the heart, but
it missed the arteries in n way that on.
ly divine Providence can account for.
So the first cffusion of blood was not
followed by the fatal drain that might
have been expected. Do make myself
clear:"
II understand enough" said Brenda.
II know that she may recover and |
thank God with all my soul"
There was a pause, during which
Kcndalfs embarrassment, that had
been less noticeable while his mind was
bent upon description OF Elses in
jury, once more asserted itself. Brenda
observed that his face was flushed and
his forehead moist. and she was puz.
zlcd.
"IIave you told her that am here"
she asked. docs she wish to see mc?"
Eve have not mentioned it," he re-
piled, but you need have no Lcsita.
tion. We have given her a very nice
room,' he hurried on. You'll find
that everything in the world is being
done for her. Shall we 60 in?'
The other physician then came for
ward, and Brenda gave him her hand,
though Kendall, in the extremity of his
embarrassment, forgot to utter the
form Of presentation.
A straight and long corridor, the
longest, as it seemed TO Brenda, that
mortal architect had ever designed, led
rearward TO the part Of the building in
which Miss Miller had been seuuestcr.
cd. Kendall led the way, and bis col
league walked behind. For the third |
time that day Brenda experienced the
Of surrcndering her volition,
The hospital became prison; she was
being marched to some deep cell be-
yonu the reach of rescue or the light of |
day. Then, in Il moment, she saw DR..
Kendall open a door and step back that
she might pass before him.
Brcnda's first glance happened TO fall
directly upon the face of the patient,
and she cannot truly he said to have
seen anything else in the room. The
bed was only an indistinct splash of
white. The bare walls, the plainly
window, the nurse in profile
as figure on tapestry, en-.
tered into the feeling, but not into the
'iew Of the scene. She beheld only
hat sweet and sad little face, so pref.
y, SO maidenly and tender. And the
cal essence of this dcspicable crime,
he Uncomfortable inhumanity of it.
cemed to speak straight to Brcnda's
leart In that language Of nature which
s without words.
Elsie's brown eyes opened wide.
hey had been half closed, and she
ad been looking at heaven knows
What; nothing in that room surely,
othing that ever had been anywhere
erhaps. They turned to Brenda with
tier surprise.
Miss Maclane" she cried In n weak
dice, but distinct as the tone Of little
liver bell. you have come to sec
lc! How kind of you" Then sudden.
:, "Why did you do it,"
Brenda sank upon her knees beside ,,
Re bed and took Elsie's hand.
ut was an impulse-a mere impulse"
ne said; but am very glad came. :,
am SO sorry for you. l am good
urse. l have been taught. Will you
t me stay here with you until you are :
elf"
Two tears gathered In Elsc's eyes y
~ glided slowly down her cheeks.
er lip qulvered like a chlld's.