Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-11-19
CHAPTER Xvn.-(ContinuedJ

SIAI 4 Nh ~ NNibutihuNb'P
But the road seemed very rough. Great
Futs had been made in the earth, softened
by the long rain, and these caused her
TO trip and fall twice. Both times it had
Jared her arm and drawn forth tears of
anguish. At last the gate was reached
and opened with difficulty, then a dizzy
feeling came over her, and just as her
feet stepped on the porch she fell for
ward in a long, dcath-like swoon
DR.. Elfengtein had gone into the coun-
try, after his call at the baronet's, to
visit rather critical case, and did not
return until quite late.
He had reached his home, given his
horse to the man in waiting, and then
turned to enter his door But what was
this he saw lying in heap upon the
porch? STOPPING to discover II it might
not be large, strange dog, his fingers
came In contact with human hand, and
from its small size he knew 1t belonged
10 child or woman.
Throwing open the door with his latch
key, the light from the hall revealed
Ethel Nevergails pale, unconscious face
TO his astonshed gaze.
Ethel, here senselessl Oh, my darl-
ing, my darlng" he murmured, as he
lifted her in his arms and bore her to the
parlor sofa. What can this mean?"
Placing her there, he ran to the foot
of the stairs and called Mrs. Clum to
his assistance. With JOY. at last they
saw her eyes open; but the cry of pain
that followed filled both with surprise.
My arm! my arm!' she cried. You
hurt my arm! / cannot stir my hand or
arm, and fear 1t Ia broken. came here
70 show it to you"
Then it was hurt before you left the
HallT returned the doctor, passing his
hand over the useless member, in order
90 see the nature of the injury.
I'm order to replace it, fear / must
cause you pain. 1t will be impossible
eor you to go out again In this storm,
therefore Mrs. Clum, my housekeeper,
must prepare you a room, and you will
remain here tonight. After she has made
you comfortable in your bed, | must re-
place the bones, and then you must keep
perfectly quiet, or, after all this excite
ment, you will be thrown into a fever"
Giving Mrs. Clum several instructions,
ne saw her leave the room to prepare
one FOR poor Ethers reception; then, and
not until then, he bent over the sofa
where she lay, and asked her in low
voice:
"Why did you not tell me this, instead
OF coming out in the storm. when l was
at tho Hall this EVENING""
Il did not know you were there, and
could not have seen you II had known
u. Sir Reginald few into a furious pas
sion as soon as he saw me to-day, and
bade ms instantly leave his house. As
my arm was hurt, l was obliged to come
70 you"
Miss Nevergail, how was your arm
dislocated? and what means the mark of
those fingers. which l see upon the cur
face?"
DO not ask me, doctor, for / cannot
cell your
well, if you cannot tell me that, why
did Sir Reginald bid you leave his
houseY'
II cannot tell you" was still her only
reply.
was 1t for any wilful fault you had
committed?
mo! oh, no! had met with an acct
dent the nature of which | cannot ex-
plain. In short, | had, without intend
ing it, neglected a duty he had charged
me with on the day of my fright by the
railroad. My nervousness then caused
me to forget something, He had just
discovered it and flew in rage"
Then the brute seized your arm and
gave 1t this wrench! You need not tell
me, child, know it by instinct. 1t is
well was not there, for one reason"
4 "Why?"
IL should have struck him as he lay
helpless in bed. could not have helped
1t! But you are safe now; he shall never
touch you again. Stay here, of course,
until you are well; then n place will be
provided. never fear Promise me one
thing now, which is, not to worry about
the future. Leave everything of that
nature for time and Providence to make
plain, and try to compose yourself in or
der to recover the sooner. Will you do
this p
He took her well hand kindly. almost
tenderly, as he spoke; and, meeting his
anxious, beseeching gaze bent upon her,
she bluShed family and gave the requir-
I'd promise.