The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-07-03

ing"
Granville accompanied tho doctor to
the door. then went back To the room.
At the entrance he was met by Scriv-
ener. who had been in and was Just
coming out There was a scared look
on his face.
Good God, sir. it's - -" he
whispered.
Il know" he said, with clenched
teeth. Mind, not a word Of this to
any one"
He went into the room again and
sat by the bedside gazing at the white.
pinched face. Suddenly the eyes Of
the man opened and centred them
selves on his face.
"Grenville!" he murmured feverish-
ly. "Of course-who should It be? It's
Forward in few minutes now! Oh.
my head" he finished with moan.
Ccrivener broughtinthe medicine which
the doctor had sent They gave him a
dose, and presently he dropped of into
a heavy sleep. Grenvilie watched by
his bedside. Later the doctor came in
again.
HE may last through the night, but
not much longer" he said, after an
other examination. Il have ordered a
nurse to come around"
The next morning found the patient
still alive, but the doctor gave him but
few hours. About II o'clock he had
a spell of consciousness, and Granville
sat beside him talking to him. Then
he grew half delirious again.
The door opened and Scrivener ap-
peared; he beckoned Granville aside.
Lady Shenley and Miss Raymond
have called, sir" he whispered. Lady
Shenley is in her carriage, but the
young lady insisted on seeing you, so
l have shown her into your sitting
room"
stop here" said Granville, with a
white face, then strobe to the door,
and opened 1t. He stepped out and
shut it quickly, for the man in his de-
firium was talking loudly.
He crossed to the other side Of tho
landing and opened the door of his
sitting room. AS he did so the mans
voice suddenly raised itself to a shout.
"GTenville!" he cried.
He stepped hastily into the room
and shut the door. The girl had risen
from her seat and stood before him,
her face white and terror stricken.
THAT voice!" she cried. ut was
Dick's!"
She was gazing into his eyes fear
fully. Granville clenched his hands;
the veins stood out on his forehead.
ut was Dick's!" she repeated. "Oh,
for the love Of heaven, tell mel"
''Yes-Dick's" he said hoarsely. eff
you are strong enough, come with me.
But it's almost DEATH" he added, look
ing at her in anguish. She moved her
self with ali effort.
II am strong enough" she said be-
tween her shut lips. without a word
he led her across the landing and
opened the door. Scrivener started
when he saw her, and then slipped out
Of the room noiselessly. The girl APP
preached and gazed at the bandaged
head. Then she dropped on her knees
beside the bed and took his hand be-
tween hers. She pressed 1t to her
lips.
Dick! Dick!" she said with a sigh
The wild, delirious look seemed to
pass from his eyes. With painful
! effort he raised his head.
VII" he groayed, the tears
Il thrting to his eyes. "Oh, my God!
heret should have brought this on
.you!" He paused to recover his
i strength.
Eyes, it's a lie that Granville told
in his dispatch. l didn't die like man
at my post; / bolted like a coward!"
He paused again. 81 was in charge OF
the right wing when the surprise came
Instead Of holding their ground, my
men-West Indians, curse PEMBROKE
and ran for their lives. To this day
l don't know the reason. l simply
seemed to go gray with fear. l lost
my nerve lost my manhood. God
knows how l did it fed with them!
Granville saw me do it," he finished.
painting for breath.
Don't Dick, dear; that's enough"
implored the girl.
you must hear me through" he
went on weakly. Halt mile further
/ drew up. For the first time real
lied what l had done If l had had
my revolver 1 should have shot my
self, but l had dropped that. could
have died with shame. I knew could
not 90 haclk=nnver look q brave man