The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-03-06
EQUAL
PARTNERS
" HOWARD FIELDING
Copyright, 1901, by Charles W. Hooke.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vst'vfsV".sv
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 inyestiga-
tion he discovered that Elsie still calm.
ly believed that she would die of her
wound, and this was the sole unfavor-
able symptom. 1t was the more re-
markable because she had not at 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 tAP kind that
depresses and frightens the sufferer.
The doctor spoke to her in the most
encouraging words that he could COM
Man1 hut they seemed not to produce
an adequate effect. Elsie said little
Mpon the subject of death, but it was
clear that her mind was fixed upon it.
II must hurry away said the doc
tor. "Mr. Alden is waiting in my room
in state of anxiety that need not de-
scribe. shall not only relieve that
completely, but shah tell him that he
may see you this afternoon, five min
,utes precisely, and Miss Macllne will
hold the watch"
"Tell him, please" said Elsie, that
q thank him very much for the yiolcts:
also that ! received his message and
that he must not think Of it any more
You will remember? He must put 1t
out of his mnd'
Kendall glanced somewhat uncasily
ut Brenda as he repeated this singular
message.
II received from Mrs. Simmons" said
he. n telegram sent to her from your
nlothcr-tlat is, from one of ihc family.
I haven't it here; must have left it in
my roOm'-anl he pretended to search
his pockets. ut said that your mother
was not quite we'll enough to start at
once, and, in view of the encouraging
kilograms sent last night. your rcla-
lives wouldn't let her come unless she
was quite able to Dake the journey.
Mrs. Simmons message, sent immedi-
ntcly after you were hurt, was quite
alarming. I'm afraid; but we have cor
reclcd all that"
MY mother is prostrated." said
Elsie, her eyes filling with tears. "and
| shall never see her again"
Il assure you hat You WILL replied
Kendall earnestly, "anI, by the way,
here's n letter from her. 1t came this
morning. Was told. There vas no
other mail for YOU
ITS siraugc what has become IF Mr.. |
Alden'S letter." said Elsie, the one lie
mcuticncd In that note"
DO yor mean that You didn't receive !
IT, cSclar..d Brenda.
Elsie shock her head.
at didn't come" She said.
Kendall did not understand the sig. !
nilicancr of this, as Il" had 10 accurate
knowledge of The contents Of The note.
1lc arose and moved toward the door,
Brenda accompaniment him.
III you should chance to meet Mr..
EImendOrf this morning. said she,
''perhnps it would be better not to men.
ton what you have Just heard
"Ahuui the letter.
eyes,
81 viii not speak Of It." said Kendall
"and as to the message which shall
take to Mr.. Alden from Miss Miller
while of course attach no SINISTER
meaning to it, shall take pains to FOR
get it inmrdiaiclv."
I'VE cannot know what 1t Is that she
wishes him TO put cit OF his mind"
said Brenda. ''l'cri:aps his love for
her"
We VIII lake that view Of it." re-
piled Kendall.
At this mnincnt nlr%r came to take
Instructions shout h,'HIrGSl for Rrrn-
dA and the patient, ana she brought
word that Nr. Marianne W;lS in the re-
Ccption roo!n very ANXIOUS TO see his
daughter.