Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-11-30
Mrs. E. Bagot Harte.
does not care a bit for me. and never
hast"
CHAPTER XIII.

ASChACtt' iSii 3COlSe dohSu IHS QucS-
ton in the voice Of peevish invalid
who chafes at enforced inactivity.
Not SO well as it ought, which does
not surprise me, considering how very
restless you are" answered the doc
tor. Extreme stiffness is essential to
speedy recovery in the case of an in
jury of this type. OF course, the shock
to your nervous system, which accom-
panied the accident, has been against
you. But you ought to have got over
that by now. Let me tell you it is
necessary you should fight against
your objection to inactivity and try to
accept your position in philosophical
spirit
Your advice is distinctly wise, l
have no doubt, but not easy to act up
to-"
"I.et me see," continued the doctor,
thoughtfulyl sis it not seven days
since the accident happened?"
les, seven, agreed illQa. =
More progress ought to have been
made, and would have been made had
you kept still, Sir George said DR..
Bennett, rising.
He felt annoyed with his patient, and
resented the non-success that had at
tended his advice.
Lady Ellingham, could you use your
influence with Sir George and induce
him to cultivate happier frame Of
mind?" he said to Hiida few minutes
later, when they We're alone in the
dining room His mental condition
causes me more anxiety than his
sprained ankle.
81 am doing my best" she answered.
1t was hopelessly said. Days and
nights of weary nursing, during which
fear for others and fear for herself
was never absent from her mind, were
undermining her self-confidence.
"You ought to telegraph for two
trained nurses at once said DIR. Ben
nett. II thoroughly disapprove of
your doing all the nursing, as it is
undermining your own health
1T will be only for few weeks
longer" she replied, cheerful1y. 81
shall soon recover from the effects of
the over fatigue"
DR.. Bennett made no immediate re-
ply. Intently he was now scrutiniz-
ing the careworn face of his patients
wife.
81 wish You would tell me your own
opinion of Sir Georges mental state, 2
he said, pointedly.
He is worried and harrassed by this
enforced inactivity and isolation an
swered Hilda.
s'But does he not see any one else
besides yourself?''
No; he is nervous"
"Nervous?" repeated the doctor, with
a problem-solving expression.
"Oh. but it will pass away" hastily
explained Hilda
II hope it may. Meanwhile shall
call in again this evening, to see how
he is going on. Good-bye!"
Grateful indeed was Hilda to know
that the interview was over, and crate,
full to be liberated to hurry back to her
husbands side. She knew that the
Doctors fears were well grounded, and
that the patients mental state was
many degrees worse than his physical.
Il must take that loaded revolver
from under his pillow she said to
herself, as she opened the door of the
sick room
\ But now, even as she was entering
it, his hand stole towards the revolver
and clasped It,. She did not doubt that
his finger was on the trigger, did not
doubt that an incautious word or ac-
ton would precipitate his death or
hers.
The moment had come when human
forbearance could no longer endure
the solitude and silence of this dark
ened room, added to the terrible knowl-
edge that the mind-haunted sick man
lay with the loaded revolver within
easy reach of his hand.
And he was getting worse, rapidly
worse! flilda knew it we'll, More
|feverishly excitable his eyes were
hourly growing, and more painfully
quick and sharp his movements. She
mus. act Immediately and with con-
su1amate care. Almost criminal on
her part would be moments delay,
Tor 1t was tempting providence tc allow
him to retain this dangerous weapon.
AT all peril at all personal risk, she
must try to avert a tragedy. a trag-
edy would bring dishonor to their
child. Yes, the moment had come
/ when for his dear little sake she must
act with a mans fortitude. She must
command her trembling limbs, she
must compel her voice to retain its
usual tone, she must be superlatively
composed and to ali appearance the
Isgentle. loving wife. Yet behind that
gentleness and loyingness there must
ne the courageous viii OF q determined
| man. Il She hesitated, If she quailed.
ali would be aost
She sat down at the bedside and
PLACED her hand caressingly ON his
head Many, many times sssa. had done
this before. and always like magic had
the look IN the patients face changed.
| Instantly the haunted expression had