The Van Buren press., 1904-09-24

automobile, as il is not in shape to run.
Though her injuries are not serious
she must not be moved now. probably
not for a couple of weeks" said DR.. Moi
ford. firmly.
Then you and Arthur go home to-
night and I'll stay with Elsie" said Mrs
Earle TO her husband
Then he isn't John" thought ths
young doctor triumphantly.
You won't mind" said Mrs. Earle
addressing him. IF they send out oui
family physician, Dr. Lowe. in the morn
ing TO give his opinion You see Miss
Clarke is our guest. and we feel that We
ought to give her every attention"
Certainly" agreed the doctor. "l
shall be glad to have you DO so"
And will she need a nurse? am quit.
efficient in a sick room"
80 is my mother think nurse viii
be quite superhuous in this case. In two
or three days, she will need amusing
more than care"
After the men had driven away, Dr.
MoffOrd returned to Elsie She had re
covered consciousness and all her faCul
ties As she met his steady gaze, feel.
ing Of security came to her,
Are the Others hurt?" she asked
No" he replied, lifting her head tt
give her some medicine.
Are you sure?"
"Yes. Mrs. Earle is waiting to come
IN here Her husband and Mr.. Wynnt
went home as soon as they were as
sprad Of your safety. They feared false
reports Of the accident might reach home
and they wanted to relieve anxiety
He saw an expression Of pleasure in
her eyes at this information.
"Will that medicine you gave me
make me Sleep"
81 hope so Don't try to keep awake.
Il cant sleep until see Mrs, Earle,
she said. resolutely. 81 must tell her
something
He instantly went to that lady.
Don't oppose anything she says" hf
said peremptorily. She has had a bad
shock 10 her nerves. and she must be
humOred."
She promised obedience to this com.
mand. aud followed him into the bed.
room
"Oh' Grace!" said Elsie, sitting up.
right, while two round, red spot;
burned in her cheeks. Il must tell you
something
The doctor laid her back gently on the
pillow and then started to leave the
room
No said Elsie, OBTAINING him. stay,
You give me courage to say what am
going TO-"
He held her hand firmly
Grace" she resumed. solamnly 81
am glad I was hurt instead Of any OF
you Ifanyone had been killed | should
have been a murderess
Now, Elsie. it was no ones fault"
Yes, it was mine persisted Elsie
Il was wishing something-anythinp
would happen, just before we went
Overt"
"E,sia' Were you unhappy" asked
her friend.
Yes, Vretched, because | thought
ought-hai Sor to marry Arthur.
won't DO it. know he is your friend and
awfully nice, but don't like him
don't know why"
Il think know why, said Mrs Earle
looking thoughtfully into the doctors
steel-gray eyes with their dark lashes
He is milk and water"
She hadn't though so until now
though,
GO 10 sleep, Elsie. and you needn't
marry anyone. willneyer match-makc
again"
After she had left the room, Elsie still
unconsciously held the doctors hand
while she went to sleep.
When DR. Lowe came the next morn
ing he approved all that had been done
and sustained Or, Mofford In his opinion
that Elsie must not be moved, She made
a quick recovery, and In three or four
days, Mrs Earle returned to her homo
as one Of her children had a childish all
ment
During the next fortnight, Dr Mof.
ford was In constant attendance and the
young girl thought she had never felt So
peaceful and restful m her life as she
did in this big, clean, airy bedroom with
the sweet scent OF the hay meadows com.
ing in through the yIne.lattced win.
dops. And the doctor, too, was happier
than he had ever been, except that In
her sleep she so often murmured the
name John for though It was his own
he knew Il was not Of him she was think.
ing or dreaming
There came a beautiful week Of con.
ralescence which she spent in the field,
and woods with her doctor, and at last
there came a day when they realized
that there was no longer any reason
from a health standpoint why she should
not return TO Mrs EsrIo's home
elsie, said the doctor, abruptly, un,
conscious that he had called her by he'
frst name, will you tell me something
something have no right to ask7"
"t will tell YOU anything" sh, ~,
swered, softly
who Is John, and what is he to you"
Her eyes grew tender as they looked
full into his
Did talk Of hIm?" she asked, wlst,
fully
Always"
"tIe was my only brother" she said
after moments silence "Hc died ii,
years ago"
Elsie, now may ask something
more"
II said you might ask me-anythlnr,'
shs said, with a bright blush