The Elbert County tribune., 1903-10-01

The bedroom door opened noiseless-
| ly. and DR.. Grey came out. As he
stepped into the room. closing the door
| behind him, Dr. Dunwiddie motioned
for him to return. but he shook his
head emphatlcally.
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 Oh out
here? What ails you people?"
DIR. 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 a dused bad piece of
business. anyhow, and l 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. DIR. Dunwiddie?"
It was more a command than a
query; her eyes were full on him. and
he paused instinctively.
Her uncle spoke impatiently; like
all men, he disliSed 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. bruspuely.
"Of course, Dolores. We all know
that, but they know much better than
we do what is best to be done. Dora
is waiting for you-it is better in
every way for us to go
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 | will not leave him-ever-
while he lives-not for any one?"
- 10 ..
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. a better right than
they. could not be denied. She had
spoken the truth; she was woman
capable of enduring much. of suffering
much; she was not n child to be put
off with evasive 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 a 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 1t was-he struck the
ledge with great force; had he dropped
1t might scarcely have hurt him.
though It is evident that the ledge
below is rocky and the bushes scrub
by and sharp; as 1t was. he lost his
balance and slipped down suddenly
with a force wonder did not kill him
outright.
"As it is, he broke both legs and an
arm, besides internal injuries which
cannot be determined upon at once. "
She watched him steadily; instinc-
lively she knew he had not told her
all. Her lips we're white. and set in n
straight line. Mrs. Allen crossed over
and touched her hand. but she paid
no heed to her; she was waiting to
know the worst.
You know how he was brought
home" continued DR.. Dunwiddie. You
were the one who found him: to you
he owes his life-you and Charlie. His
right leg was broken below the knee;
we set that and his arm yesterday,
but his left leg"
His voice was steady and grave.
Mrs. Aliens face was blanching; how
the girl would take it she did not