Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-10-01

inevitable. Your hip Is broken; yu
spine is injured. and you are pre- oneA
for months" was the Doctors serious but
firm reply.
Doctor, answer me one question, and,
at your peril, answer truly. Is there
danger of delirium? Will my mind give
way under this awful pain2"
II think not. Your constitution is a
good one, and your nervous system no.
at all shattered; but of course / do not
say for certainty, as these things are
beyond physicians knowledge"
IF there is the least danger of that
within twentyfour hours must know it,
as | have business of vital Importance
to transact"
There Is no danger within that time,
rest assured; so try and calm yourself,
for the sake of your friends" returned
the doctor.
Sir Reginald was silent moment: then
his eyes rested half inquiringly upon his
weeping wife and niece, then fixed them.
selves, as if in deep study, upon the face
of his nephew, while bitter signs escaped
his white, trembling lips.
Drink this, my dear sir, and it will,
| hope, relieve you" said the doctor at
liquid medicine in a glass.
Answer, first, will it deaden thought?
If it will cannot swallow it, as | have
a terrible problem to be solved before my
mind can rest" was the strange reply.
Drink it. 1t may soothe pain, but, |
assure you, not prevent reflection"
SO the trembling baronet swallowed
the potion. and then became silent and
thnntrli fu1 80,
he saw his patient Gained and more pia-
bic, then proceeded to replace the bone
of the broken hip and arrange the suf.
ferer in the position most important for
the success OF mis- surgery.
After giving explicit directions to Lady
Constance and Mrs. Freedom, an old fam
lily nurse, for his further treatment, he
withdrew, promising to return by even
ing.
No sooner had the door closed upon his
retiring form than Sir Reginald ordered
every soul to leave the room except Lady
Constance, merely explaining to the won
dering ones that he must consult his
wife upon a matter of Importance.
Constance" said he, when he saw
that his order had been obeyed and that
they were alone. go to my library and
get me from the locked drawer of my
bookcase, n letter which lies upon the
very top. The key you will find in my
vest pocket"
Lady Constance instantly did as he d.
rected and the letter from his dead sis
ter was once more in his hand. This
time he read it in a different mood. In
stead of anger, one could see intense sat
isfaction in his eager eyes.
Now, | will tell you the request made
of me in this letter." and he repeated to
her the words read by his niece and
nephew, as they stealthily possessed
themselves of itsh contents. "This girl
needs a home for a few months | need
some private assistance, and you need
some person to aid you and the nurse in
taking care of me, or at least, in amusing
me. If this Ethel is willing to do as !
wish, | will pay her for her service,
well, and thus my sisters desires will
be carried out. What say you to the ar
rangement|
IL am perfectly willing to acquiesce
in what you think best" was the meek
reply of the wife.
Then give me paper and pencil
while | writes a telegraphic dispatch.
There" said he, handing her the fol-
lowing message, addressed to the per-
son alluded to:
''Sir Glendenning is ill. You can be
useful here If you wish, so come instant
ly. Answer. Will be met at station"
Call the coachman; tell him to take
Jerry and go with all speed to the office
and see that this is sent at once. Have
him wait for an answer"
short time elapsed only, when Mat
thew returned with this message: 81
will come to you on the four o'clock
train"
A few words concisely written, but on
them hung a long train of terrible events
that the movements of the dread future
could alone unfold.
CTo be continued)