The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-07-16

the doctor fastened to reply 10 an lmps-
tient demand. to know the exact truth.
Il am happy to inform your lodshlp
that the injuries, while severe. are not
necessarily fatal" was the honest reply.
"Shall | soon be over themT was the
next question that issued anxiously from
the pale lips of the sufferer.
You will not, | am grieved to inform
you. Your hip is so injured that you
will be helpless for weeks. nay. months,
while your spine also has received ter
rible wrench"
doctor, | cannot lie here single
night; | must get up. and go around my
house." returned the patient in great ex-
element, striving TO raise himself In
vain, while great drops of perspiration
gathered upon his pale brow.
You see yourself that it is impossi-
Bile. You must obey orders. and lie per-
fectly quiet. if you ever expect to WALK
again.
Il tell you cannot lie here" shouted
the sufferer, in the greatest agony or
mind You don't know what you say
when you demand it. must, | viii be
around by night. 1t is of vital im1Oe
lance"
Il cannot help it. The dealings
Providence are mysterious. but also are
inevitable. Your hip is broken; your
spine is injured and you are a prisoner
for months" was the doctors serious but
firm reply
Doctor, answer me one question. ans
ut your peril. answer truly. Is Their
danger of delirium? Will my mind -
way under this awful pain?"
II think not. Your constitution is
good one. and your nervous system not
at all shattered; but of course i do not
say for certainty, as these things are
beyond physicians knowledge"
IF there is the least danger of that
within twentyfOur hours | must know it,
as | have business of vital Importance
TO transact"
'@rhere is no danger within that time,
rest assured: so try and calm yourself.
for the sake of your friends" returned
the doctor.
Sir Reginald was silent moment: then
his eyes rested half inquiringly upon his
weeping wife and niece, then fixed them
selves. as if in deep study. upon the face
of his nephew, while bitter signs escaped
his white, trembling lips.
Drink this. my dear sir. and it will,
| hope. relieve you" said the doctor at
last, advancing to his side with some
liquid medicine in glass.
Answer, first, will it deatien thought?
If it will | cannot swallow it, as | have
a terrible problem to be solved before my
mind can rest" was the strange reply.
Drink it, 1t may soothe pain. but, l
assure you, not prevent reflection"
So the trembling baronet swallowed
the potion. and then became silent and
thoughtful. Dr. Elfenstein waited until
he saw his patient Gained and more plia-
bic, then proceeded to replace the bone
of the broken hip and arrange the suf
ferer in the position most important for
the success OF mis- surgery.
After giving explicit directions to Lady
Constance and Mrs. FREEDOM. an old fam
lily nurse, for his further treatment, he
withdrew, promising to return by even
ing.
No sooner had the door closed upon his
retiring form than Sir Reginald ordered
every soul to leave the room except Lady
Constance, merely explaining to the won
dering ones that he must consult his
wife upon matter of Importance.
Constance" said he, when he saw
that his order had been obeyed and that
they were alone. Go TO my library and
get me from the locked drawer of my
bookcase, letter which lies upon the
very top. The key you will find in my
vest pocket"
Lady Constance instantly did as he di-
rected, and the letter from his dead sis
ter was once more in his hand This
time he read it i'll different mood In
stead of anger. one could see intense sat
isfaction in his eager eyes.
Now. | will tell you the request made
of me in this letter." and he repeated TO
her the words read by his niece and
nephew. as they stealthily possessed
themselves of itsh contents. This girl
needs a home for few months | need
some private assistance. and you need
some person to aid you and the nurse in
taking care of me. or at least, in amusing
me. If this Ethel is willing to do as
wish, | will pay her for her services
well, and thus my sisters desires will
be carried out. What say you to the ar
rangementY
II am perfectly willing to acquiesce
in what you think best was the meek
reply of the wife.
Then give me paper and pencil
while | writes telegraphic dispatch.
There, said he, handing her the fol-
lowing message, addressed to the per-
son alluded to:
"Sir Glendenning is i'll. You can be
| useful here il you wish, so come instant
ly. Answer. Will be met at station"
Call the coachman; tell him to take
Jerry and go with all speed to the office
and see that this is sent at once. Have
him wait for an answer"
A short time elapsed only. when Mat
thew returned with this message: II
will come to you on the four o'clock
train"