The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-09-08
CHAPTER xxx.


paired without waiting to hear any
thing more the clerk had to tell. There
in q private room we found uncle Sam
attended by his wife and DR.. Herr
mann. The two latter were making
preparations to take their patient tc
; his home, for which purpose a carriage
waited at the door. My uncle, who
was lying on a couch, appeared very
depressed; and The expression Of his
eyes struck me as peculiar-quite un
like anything I had observed before
He took not the least notice Of Connie
or me, but turned his face to the
wall soon after we entered the room
and pressed his hand to his forehead as
If in pain. I seized the opportunity
while Connie was quietly conferrins
with her sister to ask DR.. Hermann
what he thought Of the case.
"Mr. Truman has always overworked
himself" said the doctor. "and there is
some danger CT brain trouble conse'
quent on the bad news he has received
but 1t may very likely be avoided with
care and quietude. lie Is man OF
immense vitality"
At the moment of our arrival at the
hotel preparations were in progress for
getting my uncle back to his own
house. This was not easy to do. as he
could not be got even for one moment
to speak or think of anything but the
vows from Paris. and he seemed to re-
sent the presence Of anybody except
his wife, though he did not so express
himself. However, DR.. Hermann and
I with some difficulty succeeded in in
ducing him to enter the carriage and
he started for East Thirty-fourth
street. accompanied by his wife and
doctor, Constance and returning by
another way.
As soon as uncle Sam arrived home
he was put to bed In darkcned room
and ice was applied to his head. the
patient submitting to these unpleasant
preparations without making the least
protest-an additional proof, If any
were needed, Of how completely his
mind was absorbed in painful contem-
;llation Of the tragedy which he had
so much feared.
After DR.. Hermann had departed
aunt Gertrude took me aside. II fear
your uncle is down fer serious i'll
ness" she said. ~ am tcld he must
be kept very quiet, and to ensure that
I will nurse him myself. But he
wearies me and distresses himself by
begging without cessation that 1 will
90 to Paris and take charge of-of that
English woman's son, and bring him
here. I would not hesitate to do 50
if my husband were we'll; but dare
not, will not, leave him in his present
state. Will you help me?"
This appeal, the purport of which I
could not misinterpret, alarmed me
greatly. II would gladly go to any
part of the world on your business"
I answered quickly. IF only 1t lay n
my power to do so; and, apart from
my love for Constance, can think OF
nothing more gratifying than doing
anything to oblige you or uncle Sam,
but l have sworn an oath that 1 will
never again leave your sister until she
is my wife, and she is pledged to lie in
equal terms"
Aunt Gertrude smiled fdintly. 81
have already teleraphed to three Of
our friends in Paris" she said. "urg-
ing them to discover and protect the
child at any cost, and to let us know as
soon as possible that this has been
done; but I have not yet received any
replies"
You have not allowed sufficient time.
1t is barely two hours since you were
summoned to Mills Building"
II have already assured your uncle
that II the child can be found I will
adopt it as my own, and that assur-
ance has rallied him more than any
thing else that mas been said or done.
If only 1 could show him a telegram,
proving that the child is now in good
hands, think he would soon be him
self again"
II believe you will receive such a
telegram some time to-day"
1--WE will hope so," said aunt Ger
trude quietly. And having uttered
these words she returned to her hus-
bands room, and sought Constance.