Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-11-18
CHAPTER XII.
awEN's CANYON.

- Were wonderful to witness.
But all this CHEEKY hope and
; courage and patience snuffed out as a
candle, leaving hoisome darkness to
settle down in that sick room, from the
4 day of the doctors consultation.
The verdict was clear and final. The
old doctor, who loved Gwen as his
], own, was inclined to hope against
hope, but Fawcett, the clever young
doctor from the distant town, was
positive in his opinion. The scene is
clear to me now, after many years.
We three stood in the outer room, the
Duke and her father were with Gwen.
So earnest was the discussion that
none Of US heard the door open just rs
young Fawcett was saying in incisive
tones:
No! 1 can see no hope. The child
can never walk again."
There was cry behind us.
= What! Never walk again? It's q
tie!' There stood the Old Timer, white,
eRshakins.
HHushv' said the old doctor, point
ing Mt the open door. He was too
late. Even as he spoke there came
from the inner room a wild, unearthly
cry as of some dying thing, and, rs
we stood gazing at one another with
awe stricken faces, we heard Ovens
voice as in quick. sharp pain.
Daddy! Daddy! Come! What do
they say? Tell me, daddy. 1t is not
true! 1t Is not true! Look at me,
daddy"
She pulled up her fathers haggard
face from the bed.
ooh. daddy, daddy, you know it's
true. Never walk again!'
She turned with Il pitiful cry to the
Duke, who stood white and stiff, with
arms drawn tight across his breast, on
the other side Of the bed.
y ooh, Duke, did you hear them? You
told me to be brave, and l tried not to
cry when they hurt me. But can't
be brave! Can 1, Duke? oh, Duke!
Never to ride againT'
She stretched out her hands to him.
+ But the Duke, leaning over her and
holding her hands fast in his, could
only say brokenly over and over:
Don't, Gwen! Don't, Gwen, dcar!'
But the pitiful, pleading voice went
on:
"Oh, Duke! Must I always lie here
Must I? Why must II"
"God knows" answered the Duke
bitterly, under his breath, II don't!"
She caught at the word.
''Does he?" she cried eagerly. Their
she paused suddenly, turned to me ant
said, do you remember he said somt
day could not do us l liked3"
was puzzled.
.'The Pilot!' she cried impatiently
Don't you remember? And said
should do us liked till died."
nodded my head and said, but vol
know you didn't mean it."
But 1 did, and do" she cried, witt
passionate vehemence. and / will d.
as like! will not lie here! vii
ridel will Wilt l willp' and sh'
struggled up, clinched her fists ant
sank back faint and weak. It was no
q pleasant sight, but grewsome. He
rage against TINT Unseen Omnipotenc
was SO defiant and so helpless.
Those were dreadful weeks to Gwel
and to all about her. The constan
pain could not break her proud spirit
she shed no tears, but she fretted an
chafed and grew more imperiously Oh
acting every day. Ponka and Joe sh
: drove like slave master, and even he
father, when he could not understan
her wishes, she impatiently banishe
from her room. Only the Duke coul
please or bring her any cheer. and eve
the Duke began to feel that the da
was not far OF when he, too. woul
full, and the thought made him despai
Her pain was hard to bear. but harde
than the pain was her longing for th
omen air and the free, flower strewl
breeze swept prairie. But most pitif,
Of all were the days when In her ute
WEAKNESS and uncomfortable unres
she would pray to be taken down I'M
the canyon.
"Oh. 1t is SO cool and shady ST
would plead, "and the flowers up In tt
rocks and the vines and things are a
~ lovely. am always better there.
know should be better" till the Dull
would be distracted and would come
ma and wonder what the end would b
One day, when the strain bad bee
more terrible than usual the DUE
rode down to mo and said;
ALook here This thing can't 80 O
Where is the Pilot gone9 Why doesn
he stay where he belongss WISH
heaven he would get through win q
absurd rambling"
"He's gone where he was sent,
n,ied shortly. "You don't set mut
store by him when he does come fouh
He is gone on an exploring trip throut
j. .l,a -nnn. lake country, aell pc Dal