The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-10-21

for she had changed her dress and with
out doubt gone out Her furs are gone,
and her hat and walking boots. l found
her dinner dress on the floor when
came up from supper, an hour ago."
An icy hand seemed to clutch at Stew
arts heart. For that one instant the
thought that she had gone with Norman
flashed through his brain. but he shook it
OF like a venomous reptile.
MY poor darling," he muttered to
himself; ''she might have trusted me to
take care Of her; she would have, |
think, if it hadn't been for my madness
the other day. By -. If harm comes
to her. someone shall pay for it.
He pulled himself together, body and
mind, to face the present emergency. The
indoors light and warmth grew insuffer-
Able 10 him, when Mathilde was out alone
somewhere in the winter night. He spoke
quietly:
rs there anything else taken or
changed" And the maid took courage
from the steady purpose in his face, and
answered quickly:
"a little jewel-box has gone from its
place. and a small traveling-bag."
That's risht,' and she saw by her
masters face that his news was not I'M
welcome.
"Now, listen. Jeanne" he went on inn
pressively. You are a good. faithful
soul, am sure, and | shall trust you.
am going out, and may be gone all night :
but whatever happens, until you hear
from me, stay by thes- rooms. Have
good fires, hot water. soup and brandy
ready, and a bed heated. Get one of the
other women to stay with you. if"-his
voice seemed to choke-.if Madame
should come back while l am away, see
that she has every care. Send for a doc
tor or anything you need"
Stewards next movements were man.
aged with incredible rapidity The old
butler and housekeeper were given conf
Dental orders: the men from the stables
sent for. The only momentary check
was when his man could only lay hands
on one glove.
They were here when / went down to
supper, sir"
Never mind, any pair will do and
Stewart was of TO the servants hall,
where the men were gathered.
In few curt words he explained that
Mrs. James Stewart had gone out, and
1t was feared, had missed her way, or
met with some accident
A groom was to drive quickly with
light trap to the station, and make in
Quiries. The coachman was to follow
with brougham, in case she should wish
to return in it. The other men were to
take lanterns, and in couples search the
various avenues that led through Ork
well woods, he himself being one of the
number. With ready alacrity the men
were scattering, when Stewards man
came in. Please, sir, Jeanne says that
Nomad is not in the sitting-room, and
I've hunted and whistled all over the
house for him. | thought you might like
to take him."
4 strange spasm crossed Stewards
face. Was the thought so hard that a
dog should share the darkest hour from
which he was excluded?
Thanks" he said gently. II dare say
that he has followed Mrs. Stewart"
Action brought some relief, and it was
Q greater relief still to be sharing the
darkness and GOODNESS of the night, in
stead of being comfortable within.
How long they tramped through the
woods Stewart never very clearly knew,
but it seemed as though several nights Of
suspense had been compressed into the
time before the distant howl of a dog
broke on the stiffness.
Stewart grasped the keepers arm.
"Tom, can it be Nomad?" he said.
Its some dog in distress terrier, /
should say: and it's down the Coombe
Bottom road, sir
Swiftly Stewart plunged through the
brushwood for a few moments, then
paused again. Whistle, Tom, | can't ~
The howl was changed to an excited bark.
and they rushed on.
Out ON the hillside path, the bark quite
near now, and then they instinctively
slackened their steps bit, anl Stewart,
with a shaking hand, turned the hntesn
onto that dark mass that lay across his
path-on Mathilde's outstretched form.
On the dog crouching against her. With
wild yaps of joy, Nomad recognized his
master. but the noise failed to arouse
Nathilde.
While the keeper held the lantern,
Stewart rubbed lips and temples with
brandy, felt faint futtering of the
heart, and rubbed on with greater hope.
Back from the land of shadows she came
to find her head pillowed on his breast,
his arm around her, his voice murmuring,
broken with its passion of tenderness
MY darling. my own darling.'
Her eyelids futtered and lifted. and
she saw his face in the lantern light as
II bent above her.
"Jem." she murmured, and smile OF
perfect content was on her face.
Tom, the keeper. was a married man
of a few months standing, and he fairly
blubbered over the sight; but he was
practical. I'D better blow my whistle
for help. SIR" he suggested
1t was needed. for presently, when Ma
thilde was able to whisper enough words
to tell that her knee was hurt, it was
clear that il would no easy task TO carry
her back up that rough hillside in the
dark
1t was done though. for blankets .1d
poles mad been brought for such an emer
gency. and though she once or twice lost
consciousness from pain. the little banC
at last reached OrkweH. As they neareC
the door, already open for their heraldeC
approach. Stewart felt faint pressur,
on the hand that held Mathildes as h'
walked beside the extemporized litter
What is il, darling?' he whispered.
''Yoa won't let them come near me?'
Never You shall never see one o.
them again.
But once more she whispered anxious
ly: But have / any right to be here?
thought / should only come back dead
Thank God, you come back TO M
alive. You come home-your home TO
life And. treasured. she let herself SIM
back into shadowland again.
The outspoken country doctor, clever
man N his way, insisted TO Stewart on I
cheerful view.
~ feverish cold, and a shock to tn
nerves sufficient to kill weaker woman,
be said, unknowing the sting his word
contained: but | can see that she ha
a magnificent physique. and we'll pull
her through, none the worse for 1t.
trust | don't say that tire healing o
the knee-cap won't be tedious, but Their
are so many worse things than tedious