Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-22

Gated by her maid, and her face grew
/ white as she read the headline
SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO AN ENG
LISH MILLIONAIRE
For few moments the black lines
| of the newspaper danced and shivered
In white mist that had foated across
Leonore's eyes Then, with an effort,
she recovered herself and commenced
to read the short paragraph which
followed the startling headlines.
| "a serious accident occurred this
afternoon to Mr.. John Shil, well
known English millionaire, as he was
crossing the Avenue de la Grande
Armee A motor bicycle, driven we
are assured, at twenty kilometers an
hour, collided with the unfortunate
| gentleman and hurled him against a
! tree. The victim of this criminal act
| of carelessness is suffering from con-
cussion Of the brain, and lies in most
serious condition. The rider of the
machine escaped with few bruises,
| and has been placed under arrest We
should not have been sorry If he had
broken his neck. Our streets are as
perilous as the track of a railway, and
1t is high time that something was
done to ensure the safety of pedes-
TRANS, who, at any rate, have right
to exist
LeOnore stared at few lines Of
letter press as though she did not un-
derstand their meaning. Her face was
very white, and the newspaper term
bled in her hands.
Then there was a knock at the
door, and spruce little man in the
uniform of the gendarmerie was shown
into the room. He paused, cap in
hand, and bowed
you will pardon my intrusion, ma
dame," he said quickly, but Monsieur
John Shil-he is a friend of madame,
I believe. The unfortunate gentle
man.
Yes, yes exclaimed Leonore
angrily. II. know all about it. 1t is
here in the paper. 1t happened at SIS
this afternoon. It is now nine o'clock
ing. How Is he? Has he sent for
me?'
ALIAS, no, madame! He has not yet
spoken, but we found madame's name
among his papers, and as it appeared
that
II will come with you now" she
interrupted. Marie, get my opera
cloak-the long one lined with sable
and you, sir, If you would be kind
enough to order carriage
1T is at the door, madame"
VERY well, 1 will be ready in a
minute"
In less than quarter of an hour
Leonore had reached the Hotel Bristol.
The injured man, who was known to
be enormously wealthy, had been talk
en- to his own apartments, and one OF
the most famous doctors in Paris had
been summoned AS Leonore entered
the sitting-room, the great physician
was giving orders to a nurse. He
scarcely glanced at the newcomer,
though politeness extracted from him
a bow of recognition.
When the nurse had disappeared
through the door leading to ahe bed
room, the doctor came forward with
smile Of welcome.
ut was good of you to come, ma
dame he said quietly.
How is he?" she exclaimed. "Is
he badly hurt? Is he in danger? Can
do anything, monsieur? Can
help? Can l nurse him."
my dear madame he replied with
a grave smile, you overwhelm me
with questions. Pray do not alarm
yourself. He has had a marvellous
escape"
"Escape?" she cried. "Ah, then he
is safe! Oh, thank God!"
For the moment she forgot she was
not alone, and the cry of her heart
rose unchecked to her lips Then she
remembered and shrank from the
questioning look in the doctors eye
Il am an old friend of Mr. Shirs,"
she said hurriedly. 81 am so glad to
hear that there is no danger"
Il did not say SO, madame. l only
expressed surprise that he was not
killed on the spot"
"Ah, then, you think-you fear--'
81 fear nothing, madame" he said
sharply. "My business is to fight, not
to fear. But there is no need for you
to be anxious. Monsieur is suffering
from conclusion of the brain Other
wise he is unhurt. He is young and
very strong. He will have the best
of care and attention.
yes" cried Leonore eagerly. 81 am
sure he will have that. May see
him? 1 should like to see him II /
may"
Certainly, certainly. OF course,
you know he is still unconscious"
Il know, but should like to see
him.
The doctor opened the door leading
into the bedroom and stood aside for
Leonore to enter. When she had
crossed the threshold, she paused, and
half closed her eyes. as though afraid
of what she might see
But the pause was only momentary.
She moved forward a few PAGES and
then looked boldly at the white ex-
panse Of bed.
1t was nothing so terrible after all.
Just a white. motionless face, swath-
ed in bandages that were scarcely
whittier than the fiehs The outline of
n he~ 4