Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-01-03
CHAPTER III.
THE STRANGER.

such skill as MS could have aValled in
such q case.
During all this period of suspense, not
the slightest clue could be found as to
the strangers identity. She, utterly ex-
hausted by suffering, and wandering in
the delirium of fever, could tell them
nothing; and such hints of her past life
as they had gathered from her broken
speech were so trifing as to be of no
service. She seemed to have strayed
back, in memory. to childhood. She ut
tered no names but those of father" and
'''Margot." Sometimes her murmured
talk was in French, but more often it
was in English. Both languages seemed
equally familiar to her lips. can Eng,
iish girl, who has been at school in
France" was Mr.. Inglesant's opinion.
Her clothing was all of the finest and
rcostliest description, but exceedingly
simple in fashion. A fanciful monogram
the letters "R." and "N."-was en-
broidered on the linen. The gray dress.
though lined with silk, was very plainly
made. Neither on it, nor on the hat
which bore the stamp of Paris-nor on
the travelling cloak, was any makers
name to be found. No purse or money
was in the dress pocket-only hand
kerchief, with the intertwined initials
upon it. She had not even a railway
ticket in her possession; so that it could
not be learned where she had been trav-
cling from, and what had been her in
tended destination. The natural infer
ence was, that she had entered the train
with a companion, who, from motives
which it was impossible to guess at, had
attempted her life. The train, on its way
from London, had stopped at several
busy stations, and had also slackened
speed more than once, to allow other
trains to pass. The murderer-as he or
she certainly was in will, if not in actual
deed-must have found escape easy.
Who had quilted the victim of that
evil deed, and stolen away through the
darkness of that Christmas eve? Surely
when consciousness returned to DIR. Eyer
toms patient, she would have strange
tale to tell
Somewhere, too, Dare thought, hearts
were aching with suspense and anxiety
for her. The father, whose name was so
often on her lips, might be seeking her,
racked with all the torments of fear and
uncertainty. A mothers gentle heart
might be breaking; and, perhaps-per-
haps there was one to whom she had been
as the very light of hfe-a lover? This
last was an unwelcome thought She
was very young; certainly not more than
II years old. He hoped her love was still
to be won. He had travelled much, and
seen fair women of many lands, and he
had given them admiration and respect
full homage. Back again in England,
iourneying to the place which was most
like home to him, he had met his fate;
and he knew it.
There came day, at last, when, wax
ing from a tranquil, childlike slumber,
the girl-rescued as by a miracle from
the jaws of death-opened her blue eyes,
to see the sweet, faded face of Mrs
Inglesant bent over her. Too weak to
speak, too weak almost to wonder she
sank again into the sleep that meant
life. 1t was evening when she woke
again, to find the gentle lady still beside
her.
where am II" the weak voice muir
INJURED.
with friends who love you, dear" the
old lady answered tenderly, unable to re-
strain her tears of thankfulness.
Il never saw you before. 1t is all
strange. I"
She broke off, looking in perplexity and
wonder from Mrs. Inglcsant to her sur
roundings.
OIL nave Decn III, ucdI. 1Ou-yOu
have had an accident" said Mrs. Ingle-
SAINT soothingly. mo, you must not
talk; YOU must not try to think"
She yielded, with submissiveness that
did not seem all of weakness. But, later.
when the doctor was with her. he saw,
in the dark blue eyes, look he under
stood.
'What troubles you, my child?" he
asked softly, bending down to catch her
answer.
81 cannot remember-and I want to
know. [ am sure-quite sure-I was not
here before | was i'll. Where was /
and who am l 2"
when you are stronger it will all
come back to YOU" he answered, conceal
ing the dismay he felt. and uttering
ather a hope than belief.
''Dr. Egerton." Mrs Inglesant wills
pered, following him when he quilted the
room. HAS she really lost her memory
entirely?"
Il fear she has" he replied gravelv.
And if she frets and bewilders her mind,
trying to recall the past, it may be her
death, And 1 trusted she was saved"
Surely she win remember" Mrs. In
glesant said. "The wound and the fever
cannot, surely, have affected her SO
strangely"
I'VE do not know what preceded
them" he returned. she is too weak TO
imperil her life by mental eXertion yet.
It is later she will need all our care"
He was right. Every recollection of
the past was effaced from the girls
memory; and as she gained bodily
strength, her naturally active mind be
gan to struggle against its bondage. She
vas the least troublesome of inyalids-
anxious to spare her nurses trouble; very
grateful, very patient, DR.. Egerton,
though compelled to return to his Lon
don practice, made the long journey to
Thistleton frequently.
She is recovering you think 2" Dare
asked anxiously, on one occasion.
In some respeets-yes," the doctor re-
sponded; but if she goes on ike this,
she will be in lunatic asylum. ] can't
persuade her that she is not to grope IN
that blank darkness that the past IS TO
npr Chaila sent some Eno7ydrous IN to