The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-08-19

Inc sound OF Edith's voice suddenl.
recalled her to her niece. whom tn,
maids had raised to a sitting position
She wa staring wildly around, 81 4
terribly frightened.
"Is he dead?" she asked in a whisper
mo. dear child. no" her aunt answer.
I'd reassuringly.
Thank God" she muttered, anc
again lost consciousness.
A few minutes later she revived once
more. where the sight of the PROSTATE
maj being carefully screened from he
by those around, she was assisted into
the house. where h lay on a sofa III
the morning-room. with strict in
functions from her aunt not to speak
until h returned.
For Lady Bysshe had now set herself
h task OF breaking the news Of Max's
condition to the count. She found him
wrapped In his dressing gown and seat
ed in a chair patiently waiting his
yalet's return; he being quite Ignorant
that anything unusual had occurred.
That sounds like your step. Margar-
ct" he remarked as she crossed the
threshold.
1T is l." she answered., her voice
shaking in spite OF herself.
Did you want me?" he asked in sur
prise, turning toward her.
Only to tell you that an accident
has happened to Max"
It's dangerous or you would not
come to break 1t to me?"
Il hope 1t Is not %serious,' h replied
In az calm a one as she could COM
mand.
He. stood up ,grasping the back of
nis chair, his eyes staring blankly, a
took OF suffering on his face tina made
him seem old and broken. After a
.dn4nIlfNsa hard Sfr,1ro1o ha SoJI a., - -,
voice that shook, Il can bear it now;
Y Will be a Kindness if you let me
know the worst at once. He is dead"
INC. no. he Is only wounded. As
we don't know how 1t happened: 1t
vas an accident with his revolver. The
aoctor q been sent for and every
ching possible Is being done"
The count sank into his chair. as IL
be no longer had strength to stand,
and buried his face in his hands, His
shoulders shook.
Was he alone?" he asked, suddenly
raising his head.
Edith was with him; but she can say
from fainting, poor child"
Edith was with him. he said signl-
hcantly. his eyes fixing themselves on
space as IL something had suddenly ap-
peared to him; then with deeper terror
tn his face than 1t had yet expressed.
he 60 be taken to Max. II must
zee him; I must be with him" he said,
stretched to feel the way.
She led him out of his room, and
tlong a wide corridor until they reach
ed a lobby at the head of the grand
staircase. where, hearing the sound of
koices and the shutting of feet, they
stood still, holding their breaths.
The doctor must have come, for they
IRE May In - TD1v PrSeha
=
"or he may be dead" the count said
.earfully, n without waiting for
tuTther guidance he tremblingly CROPPED
his way along the wall and down the
sttairs, at the foot of which a friendly
aand WIS laid on his arm, while a
xcice said. Excuse me, count, but I
mink you had better remain here Just
At present; for IL my patient suddenly
feEains consciousness 1T will only ex-
ete him to see you, n YOU presence
~ do no good"
@Its you. doctor7"
Yes. the groom met me on my early
having your son carried into your
study"
rs there danger7" the count gasped.
4 must know"
II cannot tell until I have examined
tne wound. Please stay here and /
y bSLiQ 1OT you ut once " j think
a,are as any necessity
II will remain with him" Lady
bysshe said. when with the helplesspess
And dociltiy OF a child the count al
owed himself to be led to the far end
bf the great hall, where he sat perfectly
quiet. his lace blanchsd. his eyes full Of
terror. Once he muttered. IL I could
only see my boy"
Whole days seemed to pass before Ur-
came to announce that the ball had
extracted and tina SO far no dam
Yer was apparent. Your Excellency."
taad h valet, using the form in which
As always addressed his master, may
,ome into the room, for the doctor Ahys
The patient Will not recover conscious
aess for some time" and he led the
sount toward the study.
No sooner had he gone than Lady
fysshs hurried to- her niece, who was
H1n6 on q couch. her shoulders sup
portsd by pillows. her face looking wan
Ind terrified.
lis he stu living7" she asked in a
voice.
Urbano's words were repeated.
Il am grateful" Edith said fervent-
b." "oh, I am grateful"
When presently Doctor Hopkins
Joined them, their first inquiries were
for his patient. The ball, he told them
been imbedded in a fleshy part of
lltS ASAl OACdSl dLO udu U6Gu
@tth little difficulty. Had 1t penetrated
half an inch farther 1t must have
instant death. At present he
Aid not fear danger, but there was an
immense loss OF blood and consequent
weakness; the wonder was that the
wounded man had not bled to death;
he certainly would have done SO had
sot the bandages been put on so soon.
Though Max was naturally strong, his
recovery would be slow.
When he came to feel Edith's pulse
BE notice a discoloration on her wrist.
Without pretending to see 1t or pausing,
he stated that h had received q severe
shock to her nervous system, that her
strength must be kept up, and that he
would ser her a tonic. He suggested
= drive in an open carriage, said that
would see her again in the after
noon, and bowed himself out with
smiling ~affability.
II am sure he Is an extremely clever
man." said Lady Bysshe.
Yes" Edith assented. as she smiled.
IT seems as II he understood the case"
CHAPTER XIX.
EDITH'S DECISION.
AL that day Max lay still and list
less in a semi-conscious condition, on
he couch they had hurriedly prepared
Tor him; his father seated beside him
n troubled silence. his ears strained to