News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1911-07-12

| torney raised his finger, ana Arthur
Cumberland did not ride back to his
home alone.
CHAPTER XIV.
RANELAGH RESUMES HIS STORY.
-w-~2 OR several days | had been Ill.
W@1 They were merciful days to me
II since / was far too weak for
thought. Then there came a
period of conscious rest then renewed
interest in life and my own fate and
reputation, What had happened dur
Ing his interval?
| had confused memory of having
seen Clifton's face at my bedside, but
| was sure that no words had passed
between us. When would he come
again? When should hear about Car
mel and whether she were yet alive
or mercifully dead. like her sister? I
might read the papers, but they had
been carefully kept from me. Not one
was in sight. The nurse would I'M
doubtedly give me the information I
desired; but, kind as she had been,
dreaded to consult a stranger about
matters which involved my very exist
ence and every remaining hope.
would risk one question, but no
more. would ask about the inquest.
Had it been held? IT she said yes-ah,
if she said yes!-I should know that
Carmel was dead, and the news, COM
ing thus. would kill me. So / asked
nothing and was lying in sufficiently
feverish condition when the doctor
came in. saw my state and, thinking
to cheer me up, remarked blandly:
"You are we'll enough this morning
to hear good news. Do you recognize
the room you are inE"
I'm in the hospital. am I notT'
Hardly You are in one of Mr..
O'Hagen's own rooms" CIr. O'Hagen
was the head keeper) you are de-
tanned now simply as witness"
was struck to the heart, terrified
in an instant
what? Why? What has hap
pened?" I questioned rapidly, half
starting up. then falling back on my
pillow under his astonished eye.
take and resorting to the soothing
process
Send for Mr.. Clifton" said. Hes
my friend: can better bear
Here he is" said the doctor as the
door softly opened under the nurses
careful hand
With a gesture to the nurse the doc
as he passed some word Of warning
or casual instruction. The nurse fol-
lowed. and Clifton. coming forward,
took seat at my side. He was cheer
full, but not too cheerful, and the air Of
slight constraint which tinged his man.
ner as much as it did mine did not
escape me.
"Tell me why they have withdrawn
their suspicious. I've heard nothing,
read nothing, for days. l don't I'M
derstand this move"
You're stanch." he began. you
have my regard. Elwood. Not many
men would have stood the racket and
sacrificed themselves as you have done.
The fact is recognized now, and your
MOTIVE
must have turned very white. for
ne stopped and sprang to his feet.
searching for some restorative.
Perhaps ( had better wait till to-
morrow before satisfy your curl
,sity," said he.
"And leave me to imagine all sorts
# horrors? No! Tell me at once. Is
-is-has anything happened at the
Eyes. What you feared has hap
'ened. No. no; Carmel is not dead. She
8 holding her own-just holding tt
,ut that is something in one so young
md naturally healthy"
could see that / baffled him. 1t
ould not be helped. did not dare to
tier the question with which my
vhole soul was full. i could only look
ny entreaty He misunderstood 1t, as
yas natural enough.