Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER Xv.-(Continued.)


her forehead contracting heavily with
pain. The doctor must see it presently,
when he has finished in the other room
not now. Oh, Alison, where are you
going? You shall not disturb them. What
does it matter? If only" But here
her fast whitening lips refused to utter
her fear.
Let me CO. darling" returned Alison,
anxiously; II will not disturb them, you
may quite trust me- And without wait
ing for MabePs answer she slipped away.
As she entered the dressing room, the
stranger, a dark, grave-looking young
man, came out Of her fathers room. He
listened to AIison's account, and promised
to attend to her sister as soon as posi-
bic.
eve must finish the examination" he
said, dismissing her, "but | will come
as soon as | can. | thought there was
something wrong, but she deceived US by
hiding her arm under her mantle. She
was bruised, that was all, she told u.s.
Keep her quiet, and will be with you
directly"
Missile was leaning back in her chair,
with her eyes closed, but as Alison en-
tered she opened them full on her sister,
and the blank miserable look in them con-
WINGED Alison that she was dreading the
worst
DO not look so, Mabel darling she
said, kissing her softly. Indeed we do
not know they have told me nothing.
Dear papa is in Gods hands; we must
leave him there, and hope for the best"
A low groan broke from Mabers lips.
"Oh, it is easy for you; even If the
worst comes, you can bear it; you have
nothing with which to reproach yourself.
If he dies, shall have killed him How
am | to go on living, and know thatT
And here she burst out into hoarse sobs.
Mabel, my poor dear, oh how am to
comfort your" exclaimed Alison, unable
to restrain her own tears at the sight of
her sisters anguish.
You can not comfort me- returned
the unhappy girl. What is the pain of
my broken arm and my bruises compared
to what | shall feel if he dies, and l
am not able even to tell him that l am
sorry for my deceit and disobedience? and
| would not say so, because he was angry.
oh, papa, papa. and l loved you So"
And the poor child hid her face on Ali
sons shoulder 1t seemed a relief to her
to pour out her feelings. He had been
so angry, and she would not own herself
in the wrong, and then the horrible acct
dent had happened, and she thought at
first her father was killed. when they
said he was alive, and they must bring
him home, and see what could be done, |
thought | would not add to the trouble,
and so | managed to hide my broken
arm" But here she broke off as Mr.
Cameron entered the room.
Papa" she said, family, as he came
up to her.
His consciousness is returning; we
shall know more tomorrow. 1t is not
the head as we feared" he said, evas-
lively; "but now l must look at your
arm, please. Your friend DR.. Greenwood
will be here directly, and we will soon
put it right" But, in spite of his cheer
full words, Poor child!' came pityingly
from his lips as the blackened shoulder
was revealed TO his view. Missile must
have suffered exquisite pain during the
drive home. The arm was broken, and
the shoulder dislocaied, and the bruised
condition of the flesh filed Alison with
horror.
II WIS painful ordeal Tor Alison
but she bore it as bravely as she could
Roger had remained with his father
Miss Leigh was not in a condition to
render any assistance; the sudden con-
fusion had brought on accession of main.
and she could only lay her throbbing
head on the pillow, and lie there in ut
ter helplcssness There was no one but
herself to wait upon the doctors and re-
ceive their directions, the very exigency
of the case made her helpful Her one
thought was that she must not hinder
their work; there was little for her to do.
At the first touch of her wounded arm
Mabel had tainted again. Alison could
not have borne to witness the poor child's
sufferings. Perhaps DR.. Greenwood knew
this, for he contrived some errand that
detained her for few minutes out of the
room. When she returned the worst
seemed over, but the faintness continued
and 1t was only slowly and by degrees
that Alison, with Sarah's help, could as
sist her TO undress and lie down. after
which sedative was to be administered
az the pain Of the bruises and the misery
of her mind would effectualIy hinder
sleep.
AS eotu suc SOuIu leave her In
Sarah's charge, Alison stole into her faith
er's dressing room DR.. Greenwood came
TO her at once.
my DEAR" he SAID taking her hand
for he had known her from an infant
this is sad business, but, thank God
things are not so bad as they seemed at
first Your father must have received
blow he was stunned, but consciousness
has returned, and he has spoken. What we
fear now is something different. He seems
unable to move; but this may be due
to the shock and temporary exhaustion.
There are symptoms that make us hone
full that the full extent of mischief NAV
not be realized. We shall know more in
few days; but he will REQUIRE the
greatest care. Tomorrow 1 shall send
in a nurse from the infirmary. Do you
think you and your brother can manage
tonight"
ooh, yes" returned Alison, with
painful catch in her breath it seemed to
her as though she were passing through
some hideous nightmare; the very horror
seemed to numb her sensibilities She
understood that night how people could
live through terrible scenes the very in
tensity of pain deadened the anguish.
DR.. Greenwood thought her very
brave girl. She listened quietly to his di-
rections, but he took her hand once, and
felt her pulse, and then he kindly babe
her take some food and wine before she
went into her fathers room. and as Roger
came out that moment he repeated the
charge to him.
Come, Allie" said Roger, taking her
arm. 'Dr. Greenwood will stay with
father until we come back" And he led
her away.
Alison noticed with some surprise that
there was sort of meal laid in the din
ing room; she had forgotten the early
supper had been placed there a couple of
hours ago in preparation for her father.
Roger carved some chicken and brought
1t to her.
You must try and eat, Allie, and 1
will do the same" he said. with some at
tempt at cheerfulness I'VE have a lon~