The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-01-15

people With whom Bonholt Hume had
never been q favorite.
"Sprent, want you to call In &C
the rectory % you pass" Stephen
said.
"Why, you don't mean? Miss
Vanstone was so much better this
morning, though wasn't sure 1t was
quite wise Of me to let her go down
stairs so soon."
Unfortunately she heard Of this
this terrible; thing. Burrow blurted
out the news in her hearing" said
the rector. His eyes were troubled
"She tainted away. We got her up
stairs-but she hadn't came back to
herself when came out to find you"
That's bad. Any excitement's the
very worst thing for her now"
The two men walked to the rectory.
The doctor came downstairs, looking
very grave.
I'm going to send over a sleeping
draught. I'll look in again tonight.
She seems very excited-unduly ex-
cited. Do you know If she and the
dead man were acquainted?" he asked.
Il think it possible" said the
rector, turning his face away as he
spoke.
Throughout, that afternoon Stephen
did not go near the sick room. DR..
Sprent sent over sleeping draught
for Olive; the nurse told him that it
had taken effect and that the patient
was sleeping heavily. DR.. Sprent
came again that night.
she's asking for you, Ruthen." he
said, after leaving his patient. "Only,
it's better you didn't see her until the
morning; it would only excite her.
I've promised that she shall see you
in the morning, If she's better. A
great pity she heard about this case:
She seems to take an excessive inter.
est in luxurious how people in an
abnormal state of health will excite
themselves unduly."
Iie paused: then added abruptly
I'm afraid that nurse isn't as dis
Greet as she might be. One would
hardly have thought she could be such
a fool. but she has actually been talk
ing to the patient about the murdered
man. spoke to her pretty sharply
gave the woman to understand she
should never nurse another case of
mine. feel ought to tell you this
that I'm going to say Ruthen. She
told the patient that it was thought
In the village your sister and poor
Hume were likely to make match
Of it. Miss Vanstone asked me quite
excitedly If it were so. What fool
that nurse is!"
Stephen looked at the doctor with
startled face. What terribly COM
plicated knot it was! He ought to,
have stopped Burrow-and what in
credible thoughtlessness had pos
sessed him to leave unlocked that
drawer where the revolver was? It
had been open scarcely more than. an.
inch; the CLINT of the barrel must
have attracted Olives attention.
Hearing Burrows excited words she
had instinctively associated that
weapon with the tragedy.
And the nurse could hardly have
been guilty ct a more unfortunate in
discretion in coupling Hilda's name
with Hume's to- Olive. But 1t was a
relief to know, as he did know, that
Hilda had never cared for Hume. His
fear of such a possibility had impelled
him more than week ago to put the
question to his sister. Hilda had
laughed and told him that she had! al
ready refused Philip Hume, and would
never marry him under any circum-
stances. 49,. ..
It had been On the tip of Hiida's
tongue to add her news about Jack
Lathom and herself, only she had re-
Trained. Jack was to prove himself
before any one knew Of their engage
ment.
YOU'D better go up and see our ex-
citable patient. Ruthen, for she'll only
excite herself the more If you don't"
DR.. Sprent told him the next morn
ing. IT understand the abnormal in
terest she seems to take in this affair,
and 1 wish to goodness she'd never
heard of it." .....
Ito Be continued.)