Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-09-21

voice.
A weight, planted like a giants foot
on her breast, seemed crushing Sibyl
into the dust. Some one raised 1t
suddenly and flung 1t aside. The girl
opened her dark eyes and looked up.
Overhead she saw the twilight sky.
Drops of rain fell on her face. Sce
saw, also, a steep embankment and
a bridge, and on either side car upon
car piled together in a frightful wreck.
She saw lanterns flashing like Cyclops'
eyes in the gathering darkness. She
heard groans and screams full of an
guish unutterable. The weight across
her chest had been flung to one side
near her. Her eyes wandered toward
If. It was the stark dead body of Ma
man.
An arm was thrown around her; 1t
lifted her up.
Her eyes are open," the same voice
said; "she is conscious" and then
face half covered with fair beard
bent low over Sibyl. my poor girl,
where are you hurt?" he said.
She attempted to raise herself on
her elbow, but the movement forced
from her a cry Of anguish. She sank
back among the debris.
I'VE must have litter here" ca"eI
the man to another figure moving
about darkly in the darkness. Bar
ney, lend a hand, and you and | will
carry her up to Beechwood."
Sibyl had strength enough left to
heave herself up on his sustaining arm'
confused and terrified.
"who are you?" she gasped. Where
are you taking me?"
The bearded face leaned down.
ITO my own house, near by" he
answered, soothingly. There has been
a frightful accident You are hurt"
She was raised gently and placed on
some coarse stretcher, overspread with
a coat. She was borne along slowly
at first, as they picke1 their way
through the ruins, and afterward swift
ly under the open sky.
Wen be soaring Mrs. Hare and the
maids out Of their wits, sir" chuckled
he who had been called Barney.
"Ill risk them," answered the other,
shortly; move along! This child
must have been lying underneath tnat
rubbish full two hours"
"Child!" cried Barney; faith, sir,
she looks pretty we'll grown up to
me-"
"Silence idiot! and keep clear Of that
gate post"
The two turned up broad avenue
full of the pungent odors Of wet ever
greens, where a troop of dogs of vari-
Gus breeds and sizes dashed upon them,
barking furiously. Light struck across
the face Of the wounded girl; figures
flew past her, one screaming out in
terror
stop that, Patty!" cried he of the
fair beard. Il have heard shrieking
enough for one night. Deuce take the
dogs! Drive them off, Barney. Open
your guest chamber, Mrs. Hare-it's
as damp as a dungeon, most likely.
On second thought, I'll take her to my
own ROOM"
Up a great staircase, wide enough
for a coach and pair, the stretcher was
carried. More dead than alive, Sibyl
was laid down on bed in chamber
hot and bright with a fire of sea coal.
The. man with the beard began
straightway to cut the clothing from
her shoulder and arm.
Lori Mr.. Varneck, hadn't Barney
better go for the doctor, sir? She
seems pretty badly hurt" said the prim
woman in black, who had been ad-
dressed as Mrs. Hare, and who stood
watching this operation in dismay from
the foot of the bed.
THE DOCTOR" echoed Mr.. Varneck,
in an indescribable tone, and clipping
away smartly. Heaven bless you!
He's working for dear life out there
among the sufferers, and could not
come if he would. Hum! dislocated
shoulder-the forearm broken. Ban
dages and splints, Mrs. Hare. l am
surgeon enough to set bone proper
ly, fancy"
Out flew Mrs. Hare and returned di-
rectly with the articles demanded.
What a handsome young Great
ure!" she murmured, looking down
upon the wounded girl. WAS she
quite alone, sir?"
II couldn't say" he answered short
". Here's her handkerchief, with a
mark in the corner-her name, most
likely Now, bring bottle of SMELL
ing salts and a glass of wine"
He took hold of his task with swift
skillful hands. With dilated eyes, with
teeth set in her pain -whitened lips
Sibyl lay and endured the torture OF
the operation motionless, making not
sound.
He had hardly expected this, and
when he had finished he stepped back
and surveyed her in approving sur
prise.
MY poor child" he said, "you have
borne it nobly," and then loudly, and
with prompt annoyance, "the smelling
salts, Mrs. Hare! She is fainting, wo-
man-like, after it is all Over!"
Once during the night Sibyl opened
her eyes and saw a shaded lamp on
the table and bottles of medicine, and
Mrs Hare nodding in an easy chair
near by.
All the next day the room was kept
dark and quiet Nobody entered II
but the smart maid Patty and Var
neck, who came to look after the
wounded arm.
Consider yourself my guest" ne
said, politely. "and not a stranger here
You have slept well. You have no fe-
YER. l prophesy a speedy GONZALES
cence for you
She looked listlessly up at him as
she lay. A grand figure. with bored
blase face. pair of gloomy blue eyes
and a blonde beard-that was Serle
Varneck something more than three
years after his experience as Paulette
II DOL