The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-02-10
| IN THE SHADOW OF SHAME
SsaEMY~ lGNSJ >,ESNaz9w esiny." An Exesr
''N"o' Knav

the stricken man as the wound was
touched. The surgeon mutte~ing some
orders. a student went hastily out of
the room. one of the sisters advanced
to the bed, liniment was paSSe2 from
hand to hand. the silence of en- in
terrupted by words Of direction.
Almost half an hour passed before
Sir PuSin Tate, the visiting surgeon ar
rived, when in Il prompt and business
like manner he carefully examined
George Bostocll's head and listened to
what the house surgeon said in an I'M
dertone, made inquiries, and after a
while remarked:
Nothing more can be done until
morning. You will see that every thing
is ready | shall be here about TO-
And he hurriedly left the room.
Then Macllworth advancing from his
corner asked the house surgeon if the
wound was really dangerous.
Dangerous|' came the reply. Il
should think it was"
What is its nature?"
"A compound fracture of the skull"
ITO the best of your opinion is it
likely TO prove fatal?"
1T may or it may not. There's no
knowing how such cases will turn out :
this looks rather bad. l shall be better
able to tell you after the operation has
taken place in the morning
II suppose the patient is uncon-
sciouS?"
Quite" answered the house surgeon
as re moved toward the door.
MackWorth saw there was nothing
to gain by remaining, and having
looked at the patient lying there pale
and motionless. as the dead, the in
spector left likewise. He had taken
upon himself the task of informing
Bostock's friends of the accident, and
his first step WAS 20 drive TO Herschel
Chambers and ring at the fiat he had
Quilted but couple of hours before
In few words he made known to
the staid, elderly housekeeper who pre-
sided over the publishers home, the &C
cldent which had befalIen her master;
and when she had recovered from tha
first shock of the Intelligence. and he
had answered her numerous inquiries,
he sought to obtain from her the names
and addresses Of George Bostock's kin,
dred and friends. But in this she was
unable to help him, for so far as she
knew he had no relations. nor was she
aware that he had any intinat.
friends.
His life was quiet and lonely" she
said, already speaking OF it in the past
tense, tears standing in her eyes Il
often wondered why he led Sc solitary
a life, for he was one of the kindest
and best of gentleman. just the ono
to make people like him.
But if he has relatives they must
be communicated With. Who do you
think will best be able to give me their
addresses" Mackworth ask ed.
Il should say his maaager. Mr.. Head
wick; he will know il any one does"
And Mackworth having obtained this
individuals address, hastened to find
him.
Richard HeadWick on leaving Oxford
had devoted himself to literature, and
failing to acquire fame or fortune, had
then turned critic and publishers read.
er, and finally became manager of Bos-
tock'S business.
The publishers natural gravity, re-
serve and self suppression at first un-
favorably impressed Headwick but
gradually recognizing his employers
mental strength, deep feelings and sem
sitive disposition, he saw Bostocll was
not an ordinary type of man, but that
he held within himself emotional forces
which under certain circumstances
might become strong factors for good
or evil in his own life or in that of
others.
BY degrees mutual regard, founded
on understanding, arose between these
men brought into daily association and
with many tastes in common: a regard
that slowly gathering strength. eventu-
any ueNslopeu lnlO Il sincere and faith
full friendship on both sides.
Now when Headwick heard from
Mackworth of the accident which had
happened to the publisher, his regret
ana anxiety We're great, and he in
Stantly prepared to start for the hospi-
tai, that he might see George Bostocl
If possible, or if not, that he might
learn the state of his condition for
himself. But before Headwick could
leave his rooms Mackworth put a few
questions to him regarding the pub.
fishers relatives and friends.
He has no relatives: of that am
perfectly sure replied Headwiclk as
he snatched up his hat and umbrella.
And his friends?'
We'll l suppose l may consider my
self his closest friend. You know, of
course, he was much Interested in Mrs.
Dumbarton?"
II was aware of that" replied the
inspector drily. You think there is
no one else who should be told of this
accident in case Of"
why, it's not SO bad as that?" ex-
claimed Headwick abruptly.
Perhaps not, but it's always well
TO-"
mo. there's no one else" Headwick
answered as he hurried down the stairs
OF his chambers in Gray's inn and
rushed into Holborn in search of a
cab.
Mackworth followed slowly. debating
with himself whether he should tell