Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-06-17

inevitable. Your hip b broken; your
spine is injured, and you are prisoner
for months was the doctors serious but
firm reply.
Doctor, answer me one question, and,
at your peril, answer truly. Is there
danger of delirium? Will my mind give
way under this awful pain?"
81 think not. Your constitution is
good one, and your nervous system not
at all shattered; but Of course do not
say for certainty, as these things are
beyond physicians knowledge"
sIf there is the least danger of that
within twenty -four hours must know it,
as have business of vital Importance
to transact"
''There 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 sighs 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 a glass.
Answer, first, will it deaden thought?
| If it will I cannot swallow it, as l have
| a terrible problem to be solved before my
| mind can rest," was the strange reply.
| Drink it. 1t may soothe pain, but,
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-
i LII %o fha
i 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
ily 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 a 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, a 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 in 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 tt
her the words read by his niece ant
nephew, as they stealthily possessed
themselves of itsh contents. 'NThis gir
needs home for few months. neet
some private assistance, and you neet
some person to aid you and the nurse IL
taking care of me, or at least, in amusing
me. If this Ethel is willing to do as
wish, will pay her for her service
well, and thus my sisters desires will
be carried out. What say you to the al
rangementV
Il am perfectly willing to acquiesc
| in what you think BEST" was the NEE
reply of the wife.
"Then give me a paper and penc
while I writes a telegraphic dispatch
sThere," said he, handing her the fo
lowing message, addressed to the pei
son alluded to:
.Sir Glendenning is i'll. You can b
useful here if you wish, so come instan
| AZ. Answer. w III OS 1uCI a. SIoIAoAA.
"Call the coachman; tell him to tax
Jerry and go with all speed to the ofic
and see that this is sent at once. HaH
him wait for an answer"
: A short time elapsed only, when Ma
= thew returned with this message:
will come to you on the four o'cloc
+ train"
Y A few words concisely written, but Q
+ them hung long train of terrible even
that the movements Of the dread futul
q could alone unfold.
r CTo be continued)
a ----------