New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-10-11
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
WHERE Is MY BRoTHERr
TATHAT is the explanation Of
wv Carmers temperance in
I" town and of this sensational
introduction of her into the
courtroom In restored state Of health
of which no one, SO far as known, had
had any intimation save the man who
was responsible for her appearance
The particulars are due you.
She had passed some weeks at Lake
wood under the eye Of Miss Unwin,
the nurse who was detailed to watch
as well as tend her. During these
weeks she gave no sign Of improve
ment mentally, though she constantly
gained strength otherwise and i'm
pressed everybody with the clear light
IN heeaeye and the absence of every
thing suggestive Of gloom in her ex-
preston and language. There was the
same complete loss of memory up to
the time of the tragic occurrence which
had desolated her home; the same
harping at odd moments on Adelaide's
happiness and her own prospect of
seeing this dear sister very soon which
had marked the opening days of her
convalescence. But beyond and back
Of all this was some secret JOY. unin-
telligible to the nurse, which helped
rather than retarded the sick girls re-
covery.
Meanwhile Carmel was allowed such
liberty as her condition required, but
was never left alone for a moment
after a certain day when her eye sud-
denly took on strange look Of con-
fused inquiry totally associated with
anything she saw or heard.
The awakening took place at Lake
wood. Carmel had been out and was
just crossing the hall Of her hotel to
the elevator when she stopped with q
violent start and, clutching the air,
was caught by her nurse, who had
hurried up at the first intimation Of
anything unusual in the condition Of
her patient.
The cause Of this agitation was Inn
mediately apparent. Near them sat
two ladies, each with small wine
glass in her banda common sight
enough, but it worked revolution in
Carmel's darkened mind. The light of
youthful joyousness fed from her face,
and the cheek, just pulsing softly with
new life, blanched to the deathlike hue
Of mortal suffering. Dropping her eyes
from the women, she said to the wom-
an in whose arms she felt herself sup
ported:
"Explain! Where am II"
cat Lakewood, in hotel. You have
been Ill and are only just recovering"
Her hand went up to her cheek, the
one that had been burned, and still
showed the deep traces of that acct.
dent.
II remember" said she. Then, with
another glance at her dress, which had
studiously been kept cheerful, she re-
marked, with deep reproach: my sis.
ter is dead. Why am not in black"
The nurse, realizing her responsible
ity (she said afterward that it was
the most serious moment Of her life),
subdued her own establishment at this
proof Of her young patients knowledge
of crime Of which she was universal
ly supposed to be entirely ignorant
and, bestowing an assuring smile on
the agitated girl, observed softly:
'You were too ill to be burdened
with black. You are better now and
may assume it if you will. will help
you buy your mourning"
YES; you look like kind woman.
What is your name please, and are we
here alone in this great hOtel?'
Now. as a matter Of expediency,
to save Carmel from the uncomfortable
curiosity Of the crowd and herself
from the opportunities of the New
York reporters, Miss Unwin' had reg
istered herself and her charge under
assumed names. She was, therefore,
forced to reply:
"My name is Huckins, and we are
here alone. But that need not worry
you. have watched over you night
and day for many weeks"
"You have? Because Of this slight
burn?" Again Carmel's hand went to
her cheek.
mot on account Of that only. You
have had serious illness quite apart
from that injury. But you are better;
you are almost well-well enough to
go home, If you WILL"
II cannot go home-not just yet.
I'm-1'm not strong enough. But we
shouldn't be here alone without some
man to look after us. Miss Huckins,
where is my brotherT'
At this question, uttered with en-
phasis, with aMxiety-with indignation
even-Miss Irwin felt the emotion she
had so successfully subdued up to this
moment betray itself in her voice as
she answered with quiet motion to-
ward the elevator. "Ief ua 90 uD to