The Holly chieftain., 1903-10-02


and cannot unless you will tell me.
And here is my uncle here waiting to
take me away from my father. to leave
him to be taken care of by strangers.
dosnot know my uncle; no doubt he
wishes us well, but he is stranger to
me. Dora does not know" she lin
sered over the name-"how could she
know or | am sure she would not wish
me to go: she could not wish TO go;
she would not do it herself-you know
she would not do it herself Do you
think | do not know something ails
my father more than you have said?"
The bedroom door opened noiseless-
stepped into the room, closing the door
behind him, Dr. Dunwiddie motioned
for him to return, but he shook his
head emphatically.
Hes like log, Hal; the trump of
the archangel alone could arouse him.
I've stuck to him day and night like an
obedient puppet: now | want
change; what's all this going on out
here? What ails you people?'
DR.. Dunwiddie frowned, and his
voice was almost sharp as he an
swered:
There is nothing going on here to
interest you, Tom. and Mr.. Johnson
must not be left alone one moment.
II you are tired, will take your place
until"
Until it's over" the other inter
rupted Lord knows | wish 1t were
well over; it's dused bad piece of
business, anyhow, and wish l were
out of it,"
He was stopped by gesture from
DR.. Dunwiddie. Young Green also
turned on him with flashing eyes.
Dolores seemed turning into stone;
her face was whitening, and her eyes
dilating; her voice sounded strange
even to herself as she laid her hand
on the doctors arm as he was passing
her.
You will not go until you have an
swered me, DR.. Dunwiddie?"
1t was more command than
query; her eyes were full on him, and
he paused instinctively.
Her uncle spoke impatiently; like
all men, he disliked' scenes; this girl
seemed capable of getting one up at
almost any moment.
My dear Dolores" he said, Dora
is waiting for us. Why do you bother
the doctors?" They know much bet
ter than we do what is best to be done.
Come, like a good girl, let us go; we
are only hindering the Others"
why should hinder them?" she
asked, gravely. They are strangers
here; he is my father"
Yes, of course" he said, brusquely
"Of course, Dolores. We all know
We do what is best to be done. Dora
is waiting for you-it is better in
every way for us to CO."
She stood erect and slender among
them, her print gown falling around
her to her feet, her face catching the
shadows of the storm upon it.
Did l not say" the voice was al
most solemn In its grave earnestness,
that l will not leave him-ever-
while he lives-not for any one?"
None of them spoke for a moment;
not one of them was capable of de-
ceiving her as she stood SO grave and
quiet waiting his reply. That she had
a right to know, better right than
they, could not be denied. She had
spoken the truth; she was a woman
capable of enduring much, of suffering
much; she was not child to be put
off with ,eyasive replies.
DR.. Grey stood at the bedroom door;
he had not moved since the girl spoke;
she impressed him as she impressed
the others. Young, Green looked trou-
bled; he started as though he would
go to Dolores, and checked himself,
Even DR.. Dunwiddie, was somewhat
disquieted; he looked beyond the girl
otu of the opposite window.
They waited for him to speak; the
girl knew he would tell her; the 9TH
ers were sure he would do what was
best AS his gaze left the window and
he turned to Dolores, he caught the
look on young Green's face. His own
cleared instantly; he was himself
again. grave, practical, thorough ply
sician and gentleman.
'My dear Miss Johnson" he said
he was grave, courteous; her eyes did
not leave his face-searching, steady
eyes-"when your father fell-fully
twenty feet it was-he struck the
ledge with great force; had he dropped
- ff,1,t
though it is evident that the ledge