The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-09-03
CHAPTER xViI.-(ContinuedJ

hut the rOdu SpSIneu very rough. 'lta
ruts had been made in the earth, softened
by the long rain, and these caused her
10 trip and fall twice. Both times it had
Jared her arm and drawn forth tears OF
anguish. At last the gate WAS reached
and opened with difficulty, then dizzy
feeling came over her, and just as heI
feet stepped on the porch she fell for
ward in long death-like swoon.
DR. EfenStein had gone into the coun
try after his call at the baronets, 10
visit rather critical case, and did not
return until quite late.
He had reached his home, given his
horse 10 the man in waiting. and then
turned to enter his door But what was
this he saw lying in heap upon the
porch? STOPPING to discover il 1t might
not be a large, strange dog, his ringers
came in contact with a human hand, and
from its small size he knew it belonged
to child or woman.
Throwing open the door with his latch
key the light from the hall revealed
Nthel Nevergairs pale, unconscious face
to his astonished gaze.
Ethel here senseless, Oh. my darl-
big my darling" he murmured as he
lifted her in his arms and bore her TO the
barlnr sofa What can this meanT'
Placing her there, he ran TO the foot
of the stairs and called Mrs. Clum 10
his assistance With JOY. at last. they
saw her eyes open; but the cry Of pain
chat followed filed both with surprise
My arm. my arm" she cried. You
hurt my arm. canuot stir my hand or
arm, and fear it is broken. | came here
TO Show it to you.
Then 1t was hurt before you left the
HallT' returned the doctor, passing his
hand over the useless member in order
TO see the nature of the injury.
I'm order to replace it, | fear | must
cause you pain. 1t will be impossible
for you to go out again in this storm
therefore Mrs. Clum. my housekeeper
must prepare you room. and you will
remain here tonight. After she has made
you comfortable in your bed, | must re-
place the bones, and then you must keep
perfectly quiet, or. after all this excite
ment, you will be thrown into a fever.
Giving Mrs. Clum several instructions
he saw her leave the room to prepare
one for poor Ethers reception; then, and
not until then, he bent over the sofa
where she lay, and asked her in a low
voice:
of coming out in the storm, when | was
at the Hall this EVENING"
II did not know you were there. and
could not have seen you if | had known
1t. Sir Reginald few into a furious pas
sion as soon as he saw me to-day, and
bsde me instantly leave his house. AS
my arm was hurt. | was obliged to come
to you"
Miss Nevergsil. how was your arm,
disiocatedf and what means the mark of
those fingers. which | see upon the sur
faceT"
do not ask me, doctor. for I cannot
tell you"
Well. if you cannot tell me that. why
did Sir Reginald bid you leave his
house?"
II cannot tell you!" was still her only
reply.
Was it for any willful fault you had
committedf
No. oh, no. had met with an acct
dent the nature of which | cannot ex-
plain, In short. | had. without intend
Ing it, neglected duty he had charged
me with on the day of my fright by the
railroad. My nervousness then caused
rue to forget something. He had just
discovered 1t and flew in a rage"
Then the brute seized your arm and
gave ii this wrench. You need not tell
me, child, | know it by instinct. Ii il
well | was not there, for one reason"
WHY"
Il should have struck him as he lay
helpless in bed. | could not have helped
IT, But YOU are safe now: he shall never
touch you again. Stay here. of course
nntil you are well; then a place will be
provided. never fear. Promise me one
thing now. which is. not TO worry about
the future. Leave everything of that
nature for time aud Providence to make
plain. and try To compose yourself in or
der 10 recover the sooner. Will you dc
this?''
tie took her well hand kindly, almost
tenderly, "a he spoke; and. meeting hi.
anxious, besee,hing gaze bent upon her
she hlushed family and gave the reauir
cd promise.