Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-11-06
CHAPTER XII.


@ But all this CHEEKY hope and
courage and patience snuffed out as
candle, leaving noisome darkness to
settle down in that sick room, from the
day Of the doctors consultation.
Tie 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 as
young Fawcett was saying in incisive
tones:
"No. I can see no hope. The child
can never walk again"
There was a cry behind US.
what! Never walk again? It's q
lie! There stood the Old Timer, white,
fierce, shaking.
"Hushr' said the old doctor, point
ing at the open door. He was too
late. Even as he spoke there came
from the inner room wild, unearthly
cry as Of some dying thing, and, as
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! It Is not true! Look at me,
daddy"
She pulled up her fathers haggard
face from the bed.
"Oh, daddy. daddy, you know it's
true. Never walk again"
She turned with pitiful cry to the
Duke, who stood white and stiff, with
arms drawn tight across his breast, on
the other side Of the bed.
"Oh, Duke, did you hear them? You
told me to be brave, and I tried not to
cry when they hurt me. But I can't
be brave! Can I, Duke? Oh. Duke!
Never to ride againp'
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, dear!'
But the pitiful. pleading voice went
on:
"Oh, Duke! Must always lie here?
Must l? 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. Then
she paused suddenly, turned to me and
said, do you remember he said some
day l could not do as liked?"
was puzzled.
'The Pilotv she cried impatiently.
Don't you remember? And l said /
should do as l liked till died."
nodded my head and said, But you
know you didn't mean it,"
But did, and do" she cried, with
passionate vehemence, "and ! will do
as I like! 1 will not lie here! | will
ride! 1 will! 1 will: l will!' and she.
struggled up, clinched her fists and
sank back faint and weak. 1t was not
a pleasant sight, but grewsome. Her
rage against that Unseen Omnipotence
was so defiant and so helpless.
Those were dreadful weeks to Gwen
and to all about her. The constant
pain could not break her proud spirit;
she shed no tears, but she fretted and
chafed and grew more imperiously ex-
acting every day. Ponka and Joe she
drove like slave master, and even her
father, when he could not understand
her wishes, she impatiently banished
please or bring her any cheer, and even
the Duke began to feel that the day
was not far off when he. too, would
fall, and the thought made him despair.
Her pain was hard to bear, but harder
than the pain was her longing for the
open air and the free. flower strewn.
breeze swept prairie. But most pitiful
Of all were the days when in her utter
WEAKNESS and uncomfortable unrest
she would pray to be taken down into
the canyon.
"Oh. it Is so cool and shady" she
would plead. "and the flowers up in the
rocks and the vines and things are all
so lovely. I am always better there.
know should be better" till the Duke
would he distracted and would come to
me and wonder what the end would he.
One day. when the strain had been
more terrible than usual, the Duke
rode down to me and said:
Look here. This thing can't go on.
Where is the Pilot gone? Why doesn't
he stay where he belongs? l wish to
heaven he would get through with his
absurd rambling"
Hes gone where he was sent I re-
piled shortly You don't set much
store by him when lie does come round.
He is gone on an exploring trip through
the Dog lake country. He'll be back
by the end of next week"
81 say. bring him up. for heavens
sake-' said the Duke. "He may be of
some use. and anyway 1t will be new
face for her. poor child" Then he
added. rather penitently: Il fear this
thing is getting on to my nerves. She
almost drove me out today. Don't lay
1t up against me. old chap
1t was new thing to hear the Duke
confess his need Of any man, much less
pentence for fault. felt my eyes
growing dim. but said roughly:
You he hanged. I'll bring the Pilot
up when lie comes"