Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-11-12

Cdl one OF the MAIDS. Bid ner
ring, ordered the elder.
Eve, holding the sides of the door
to prevent herself from falling, deadly
white, with knees that yielded under
her. staggered into the house.
Presently the old bell hung in a
penthouse over the roof of the
chapel began to give tongue,
Barbara. kneeling behind her
father, raised his head on her bosom,
and held her kerchief to his side The
first token of returning consciousness
was given by his hands, which
clutched at some grass he had cut.
Then he opened his eyes.
Why is the bell tolling?'
Dear papa. it is calling for help.
You must be moved. You are badly
hurt
I feel it. In my side. How was
it? I do not remember. All! the
scythe. Has the blade cut deep
/ I cannot tell, papa, till the doctor
comes. Are you easier now?'
You did it. Interfering with me
when was moving. Teasing me.
I You will not leave me alone. You
are always watching me. You want
ed to take the scythe from me. If
you had left me alone this would not
have happened.
Never mind, darling papa, how it
happened. Now we must do our best
to cure you
Am l badly hurt? What are
these women coming crowding round
me for. I do not want the maids
here. Drive them back, Barbara
Barbara made a sign to the cook
and house and kitchen maids to stand
back
You must be moved to your room
papa
Am l dying Barbara?'
/ hope and trust not, dear.
L cannot die without speaking; but
will not speak till I am on the point
of DEATH
Do not speak, father, at all now.
He obeyed and remained quiet, with
his eyes looking up at the sky. Thus
he lay till Jasper arrived GREATNESS
lie had heard the bell, and had run,
suspecting some disaster.
Let me carry him with one of the
maids said Jasper.
No, answered Barbara. You
shall take his shoulders, I his feet
We will carry him on a mattress.
Cook and Jane have brought one. Help
me to raise him on to it
Jasper was the man she wanted. He
did not lose his head. He did not
ask questions, how the accident had
happened; he did not waste words in
useless lamentation. He sent a maid
at once to the stable to saddle the
horse A girl, in the country, can
saddle and bride as we'll as a boy.
I am off for the Doctor he said
shortly, as soon as he had seen Mr.
Jordan removed to the same down
stairs room in which he had so recent
ly lain himself
Send for the lawyer said Mr.. Jor-
dan, who had lain with his eyes shut.
The lawyer, papa!'
I must make my will. | might die,
and then what would become of Ever
Ride on to Tavistock after you
have summoned Mr.. Coyshe, said
Barbara.
When Jasper was gone, Eve, who
had been futtering about the door,
came in, and threw herself sobbing
on her knees by her fathers bed. He
put out his hand, stroked her brow,
and called her tender names.
She was in great distress, re
preaching herself for having asked
him to NOW tho grass for her; she
charged herself with having wounded
him.
Mono, Eve. said her father 1T
was not your fault. Barbara would
not let me alone. She interfered,
and l lost my balance
I am so glad it was not l., sobbed
Eve
Let me look at you. Stand up
he said.
She rose, but averted her face some
what, so as not to see the blood on
the sheet. Ee had been caressing
her. Now, as. he looked at her, he saw
/ a red streak across her forehead.
My child. what is that? You are
hurt. Barbara, help! She is bleed.
ing.
1t is nothing she said; your hand,
papa, has left some of its stains on
her brow. Come with me, Eve, and
I will wash it clean
The color died completely
out Of Ewes face, and she
seemed again about to faint. Bar
bara hastily bathed napkin in fresh
water, and removed all traces of
]