The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-08-19

rs he dead? 2" she asked in a whisper.
mo, dear child, no" her aunt answer
ed reassuringly
THANK Cod she muttered, and
again lost consciousness
few minutes later she revived once
more, where the sight of the PROSTATE
man being carefully screened from her
by those around. she was assisted into
the house. where she lay on a sofa III
the morning room. with strict in
functions from her aunt not 10 speak
until she returned.
For Lady Bysshe had now set herself
the task of breaking the news of MaxS
condition to the count She found him
wrapped in his dressing gown and seat
ed in chair patiently waiting his
Wallets return; he being quite ignorant
that anything unusual had occ%rrcd
That sounds like your step, Margar-
ct" he remarked as she crossed the
threshold.
III 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"
ITS dangerous or you would not
come to break it to me?"
i hope 1T is not serious" she replied
In as calm tone as she could COM
mand
ZIG btOcQ up ,SraSplnS the pack OF
his chair, his eyes staring blankly, a
look OF suffering on his face that made
him seem old and broken. After
minutes hard STRUGGLE he said, in a low
voice that shook II can bear 1T now;
Il Will be u kindness II you let me
know the worst at once. T. is dead"
mo, no, he is only wounded. As
yet we don't know how 1t happened: it
was an accident with his revolver The
doctor he's been sent for and every
thing possible Ia being done
The count sank into his chair. as IL
he no longer had strength to stand,
and buried his face In his hands. His
WAS no alone?" he asked. suddenly
raising his head.
''Edlt., waa with him; but she can say
nothing yet She has Just recovered
from fatnt!ng, poor child"
Edith wna with him." he said uigni-
feantly, his eyes fixing themselves on
space az IL something had suddenly APP
peared to him; then with deeper terror
in bis face than Il had yet expressed.
he e,sSsoa to be taken to Max. Il must
see him, must ba with him. he said,
his voice shaking, hla hands OUT
stretched to feel the way.
She led him out OF his room, and
along wide corridor unul they reach
ed a lohby Mt the head OF the grand
staisraae, where, hearing tho sound Of
voices end the shutting OF feet, they
stood eth, holding their hreaths.
WIlhe doctor must have come, for they
are bringing Max In" Lady Bysshe
sssgested.
"Os he may be dead" the count snid
fearfullS, and Without waiting for
fnrthet guidance he uemblln@ly CROPPED
his way aleng the wall and down tho
hand was lata on Ma arm, while II
voice Fald, "lsxcuso me. count, but
think YOU had better remain here juat
al presently for &c my patient suddenly
resains consciousness II win only ex-
Il cite hin, tesee yoa, and your presence
can de no good"
'ftp you, doetor?"
,Yep, the groom met me on my early
rounds and / hurried here Mt once,
ana having year son carried into youi
study,
~ there danges2" the count Saaped
III cannot tell until have examined
the wound, Please stay hore and
WIN send for you at once II think
there ig any necessity"
" will remain with HIM" Lady
Byssha sald, when with the helplessncs.
and docilt.S OF a child the count al.
loved himself to be led to tho far enc
OF the great hall, where no cat perfect!
quiet, his face hanched, his eyes full o
terror Once he, muttered, III coult
only zee my boy"
Whe,e daya seemed to pass before Ur
bano came to announce that the ball ha,
been extracted and that so far no dan
ger was apparent. Your ESce,lency,
said the valet, using the form III whicl
he always addressed his master, ma,
come sato the room, for the doctor say
# the patient Will not recover conscious
ness for some time and he led tn
count toward the study,
No sooner had he gone than Lad
Byssae hucc!ed to her niece, who wa
lying en- u couch, her Shoulders sup
ported by pillows, hes face loekins. wa
and terrified,
us Ne Win nyinge" she asked in
frightened voice,
Urhano's words were repeated.
u ann grateful" Edith said rervent
lys' oh, I an, grateful,
when presently Docto. Hopk!l
Joined them. their first inquiries, we:
had been Embedded In tleshy part
4 the left breast and had been extractc
with little difficulty, Had 1t penetrate
half an inch farther 1t must ha,
caused instant death. At present
y did not fear danger, but there was a
weakness, the wonder was that II
wounded man had not bled to dealt
he certainly would have done SO ha
NOT the bandages been put on SO 500
Though Max was naturally strong. h
recovery would be SLOW
.s When he came to feel Edith's pull:
he notice discoloration on her wris
Without pretending to see 1t or pausin
he stated that she had received seve
shock to her nervous system, that b.
strength must be kept up, and that l
would send her q tonic. He suggeste
q drive in an. open carriage, said tn
he would see her again in the afte
noon, and bowed himself out wi
smiling affability.
II am sure he Is an extremely. clev
man., said Lady Bysshe.
Yes Edith assented, as she smile
1T seems as If he understood the case