The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-09
CHAPTER XIV.
MY HISTORICAL PATIENT.

That night 1 could not Sleep and when.
on receiving my mail the next morning.
found that it contained no line from Fred
my anxiety could no longer be kept within
bounds, and determined that, come what
might, another day should not pass without
my seeing May Derwent l left the hos
pital as soon as l decently could, but even
so il was almost / o'clock before 1 was
once more on my way 10 Beverley. On ar
irving there l found, to my disgust, that
there were no cabs at the station. An
obliging countryman offered TO hitch up
a team" but / declined, thinking it would
be quicker TO walk than to wait for 1t, as
the Derwents house was hardly mile off,
A delicious breeze had sprung up and was
blowing new life into me, and 1 should have
enjoyed my walk except for the fact that.
my visit must necessarily be short
one, begrudsed every minute spent away
from May Derwent. / was, therefore,
trudging along at a great rate. entirely abb
sorbed in reaching my destination in the
shortest possible time. when l was sur
prised to perceive in the distance a woman
running rapidly towards me. AS there was
neither man nor beast in sight, / wondered
at the reason of her haste. A sudden ILL
ness? A fire? AS the flying figure drew
nearer / was dismayed TO recognize May
Derwent. 1 rushed forward to meet her.
and a moment later she lay painting and
trembling in my arms. AS looked down
and saw her fair head lying on my breast
/ felt as If I were having a foretaste Of
heaven. I was recalled to earth by feeling
her slight form shudder convulsively and
by hearing an occasional frightened sob.
What has happened, May? What has
frightened you?" feared that she would
resent this use of her Christian name. but
she evidently did not notice it, for she only
chung the tighter to me.
Mrs. Derwent. whose approach 1 had been
watching, here joined us, hot and out of
breath from her unwonted exertion. Her
indignation at finding May in the arms of
comparative stranger was such that she
dragged her daughter quite roughly from
me.
You must really calm yourself. May
she commanded, with more severity than
l had thought her capable Of
But the poor child only continued 10
tremble and cry. AS ii seemed a hopeless
undertaking to try and quiet her. Mrs. Der
went and / each took her by an arm, and
| between us we assisted her home. AS we
were nearing it 1 saw Norman hurrying
towards US.
Whats the natter" he inquired, anx.
iously.
AS May had grown gradually more com.
posed, her mother felt she could now leave
her to my care. and. joining Norman, they
| walked briskly ahead an arrangement
which / don't think the young man at al
| relished.
| My darling and strolled slowly on, she
leaning confidingly on me, and 1 was wei
content.
You are not frightened now?" asked.
She raised her beautiful eyes for an in
slant to mine.
| NO" she murmured, and all / could SCI
of her averted face was one small crimson
| ear.
81 hope you will never be afraid when
am with you," l said, pressing her arm
gently to my side. She did not Withdraw
from me, only hung her head lower, so
! went on bravely.
These last forty-four hours have beer
the longest and most intolerabe of m,
| lfe!'
She elevated her eyebrows, and though
1 perceived a faint smile lowering arounc
her lips.
Indeed
1T hope you got some flowers L sent yo,
yesterday"
Yes. Didn't you receive my note thank
ing you for them? They were very beau
tiful."
| L loudly mathematical the post which
had delayed so important message.
This time there was no doubt about it
and a roguish smile was parting her lips
| This emboldened me to ask: "Were thes,
roses as good as the first lot? 1 got then
at different place.
"Oh. did you send those also? There wa!
no card with them.
| 81 purposely omitted to inclose one, as
feared you might consider that j was pre-
! Stunning on slight acquaintance. Be
| sides, I doubted whether you would re
member me or had even caught my name.
| 81 had not
| There was a pause.
"Oh. what must you have thought of me
| What must you think of me?" she ex
claimed, in tones of deep distress, tryin,
to draw her arm away. But / held he
| fast.
Believe me. entertain for you tn
| greatest respect and admiration. / shoul,
never dream of criticising anything you d,
| or might have DONE"
She shot a grateful glance at me- and
seeing we were unobserved. / ventured I,
raise her small gloved hand reverently L
my lips. She blushed again, but did no
| repulse me.
On arriving at the house I insisted oil
her lying down. and, hoping the quiet woul
| do her good, we left her alone. On leaving
the room we passed Norman pacing UP an
down outside, like a faithful dog. He d
not offer TO join us. but remained at hi
| post.
had not questioned May as TO the caus
| of her fright fearing to excite her. but
| was none the less anxious to know wha
had occurred. Luckily Mrs. Derwent wa
as eager TO enlighten me as l was to learn
You know, DR.. Fortescue. how / hav
tried lately to keep everything away fror
my daughter which could possibly agitat
her. However, when she suggested tina
she would like to walk TO the village