Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-05-11
CHAprER X1v.-(Continued.J

good doctor could reach the house; never
eheless. the Colonel had insisted upon hi
seeing her.
~WeH, doctor what is it? Nothus
serious. I hope?'
Nothing very serious. sir; a sever'
wrench of the arms; a great deal Of ex
element, little everlasting Of the
strength, and consequent nervous pros
eration. think we may be certain Of
her perfect restoration to health In q
Few days"
doctor. you put it lucidly" the Colo
mel said, smilingly And then the medi
cal MIN had departed in great glee, de
lighted with the tale he should be able
20 tell his best patients tomorrow rela
tive 10 the incident.
and SO the Colonel and his nephew
we're left together.
Il may as well say what | think as
not be said Il should ike TO know
what all this means. Archie. | can't
quite see my way clear, aud you are the
only one who can help me. Come, let's
have q straightforward story"
The young mans eyes Ill with a dusky
'firc. and be raises his head very Taught
IL. tie is to the full as proud and sen
sitl-e as his uncle. So he replies, in
rather a constrained voice, Well, uncle
@er any questions you may wish 70 ask
me, or any Information l can give you
relative TO Mauds very unfortunate ad-
venture. shall be very happy to place
myself at your service
That is just what want to know
the Colonel replied, gruifly. How came
aud
how came you on the other slider
And so Archie had given a full ac-
count OF it all The old gentleman had
a very kind heart. aud absolyed his
7ephew fully at the last; not without Civ
ing him solemn injunction to take great
care ia the future that Miss Gayler did
not come between him and Maud.
Il feel quite as strongly as you DO,
ANGLE. replies Archie, about women
who ape men as Miss Gayler does; and
dislike them quite as much"
TIE old Colonel is Modified at this.
ana says gently. That's my own dear
boy. and spoken like a man"
Mrs Cholmondely and her daughter,
En the chamber Of the invalid. had for
gotten their guests. had remembered
nothing but the fact that this brave
young woman lay there stricken with
WEAKNESS. She was sleeping at last. so
suundly that Maud's gentle kisses failed
10 stir her; and Mrs. Cholmoudely had
rung for Annette. and had gone down
with Maud 10 the drawing room.
II must write and tell Ernest all
about it, says Mrs. Cholmondely. "and
how uobly Maggie behaved. and how
glad shall be when he can come down
90 us and thank her for himself. / can
4ancy how delighted he viii be- and how
he will bless hez in his hearth
'.And give him this message from me.
inrerposes the Colonel: THAT | count
upon seeing him ut Christmas. and will
accept no excuse for his not coming
And Archie says nothing. but sits
with his eyes cast down, and a great
sRas1z Of pain on his countenanee, for
which he cannot account
They are gone at last. and then the
two ladies' 90 upstairs to Maggie's room
once more She is still sleeping soundly.
And presently a kiss and whispered
Good night" from Maud to the uncon-
sei0us sleeper, and an affeetionate EN-
brace 10 he rmother, and Mrs. Cholmon-
deiy is left alone with the sleeping girl
only a little tired-my pretty one,
she murmurs, yearningiy-"enly little
tired. Sleep, sleep, my darling, and all
good angels guard you
She stoops over her presently; and,
ever So gently and quietly, takes mass
Of the silken hair in her hand, and. with
"A small pair Of scissors. cuts off little
Iaek. and puts it to her lips. Good
night. my pet,' she whispers presently,
and catches the soft breath Of the sleeper
on her cheek.
zGaggie is dreaming, and speaking soft
IL; and Mrs Chomondely listens Gag
erly. as she hears her say, Papa, dear
papa. Maggie loves dear papa" and
a tear forces Itself through the closed
eyehd. and Mrs. Cholmondely stays no
longer
Annette comes in now, sad the lady
excuses her attendance Gpm herself to-
night. and leaves her Il watch ~ the
bedside Of Maggie.
She goes 20 her own rtom presently
and takes the miniature tvom t!te cahi-
set; and, touching a spring. deposits the
stolen hair with some more in a l;+rla
receptacle AZ the back Of the picture She
looks at it lovingly for moment, aud
then says gently. Only a little tired.
Jocelyu--onl, a little tired and then,
with startled look, she scans it more
closely. Il anu very foolish, she adds,
as she puts il back into the cabinet. "but
n1ethoaght. surely, he smiled upon me as
IN the old days. \ brave darling" she
whispers; and | love her, oh. 50 dearly
Risking her Hfe for my daughter. aud
chen only a little tired