Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-30

touched no bone, but in that photo
graphic flash saw that 1t had gone
through me, cutting obliquely through
the soft metal Of the radiator. Then
binding puff Of steam rose before
my eyes, and over my hands, which
still clutched the crank, poured small
cascade of boiling water
CHAPTER XXI.
l opened my eyes and lay staring up
weekly at the white calcimined cell
ing, where just above me the run OF
an irregular crack drew the grotesque
profile of an old man, a profile that
seemed to my thinking caricature of
Ephraim Bond. The blinds were drawn
and the room was in semi-twiltght;
but broken shutter slat let In single
bar Of the bright sunshine without, and
making brilliant patch on the old
fashioned, lowered paper of the wall.
In a room near by some one was sing
ing, singing softly a merry, contented
little song, so softly that could not
hear the words, Tut only the happiness
and lifting cadence of 1t. closed my
eyes again to listen. thought 1t very
sweet and wondered languidly who
was the singer.
AS l wondered my mind harked
back, with memory struggling for
some solid event to lay hold upon, but
for long time all mental effort was
blocked by solid wall Of nightmare.
l had dreamed and dreamed badly, that
I knew. Titanic, murderous struggles
swayed and leaped before me, furious
and futile combats, shadowy, unend-
ing, useless give and take of blows,
chasms Of darkness or panels Of brill
liant light, striped and tortured with
bars, reached infinitely before my men,
tai vision, and through it all like a
wicked undercurrent ran the rhythmic
jogging and the regular iron-shod
hoof-beats Of a horse, the jolt and Jar
of broken-springed carriage with the
poignant throb of exquisite pain But
with the memory of that pain came
the faint, indescribable scent Of Law
ender, and fainter still, the sweet
fragrance of orange blossoms, the
touch of soft arm about me, and be-
meath my cheek warm resting place
of satin. l drew long breath and
opened my eyes; for memory had re-
turned to me.
"Nancy!" l cried out, and tried
weakly to sit up In bed.
The shout which had intended
sounded weak and faint, but she heard
lit; for the singing abruptly stopped,
and turned my head slowly to find
her by the bedside. She put her hand
to my face and gently stopped and
Kissed me, and as she did so, q tear
fell on my cheek.
What is it," whispered anxious
ly; what is it?'
Nothing, dear" she said, "only
gladness, gladness to find you So"
Il am all right" answered. II re-
member everything perfectly now,
Nancy. At least, think" and broke
off, obsessed by a sudden fear.
What Is IT." said Nancy gently.
1--WE were married yesterday,
weren't we?' l asked. eve really were
married, and everything is all right
II know we were. I remember all
about it,"
Nancy kissed me again.
Certainly we were," she said |;
beautifully married, but do not think
you should talk any more"
Certainly can talk" said. Il re.
member it all now. He shot me, didn't
he? That's why feel little weak
this morning, but I'm feeling quite
strong again, now, and want to talk.
And, indeed, with Nancy close beside
me, my fallen strength seemed to
come surging back over me again like
q wave.
II don't think you should" Nancy
said doubtfully. II think you ought to
try to go to Sleep
"sleep?' repeated; why, i've slept
all night and had bad dreams. l GER
tainly do not want to sleep any more.
I want you to tell me about It, Did
he go away?"
She bowed, I suppose, to the newt
able.
Eyes, DEAR" she said quietly; The
got away. He thought he'd killed you,
/ think, and was frightened at what he
mad done; for he turned and ran be.
fore ANYBODY else came up"
well, how did get here?" asked.
People came" Nancy said, "and I
sent some one for q carriage"
Eyes, l remem ber," I replied; IAN
awful, jolting carriage, and you held
me, Nancy; held me all the way home.
Are you not tired today?"
Nancy smiled. 1T was not yester.
day, Mason she said. You've been
very sick and have had fever"
"Oh," replied blankly. Then at
last, How long ago was it? Don't
be afraid to tell me. want to know.
1T was nine days ago. Mason"
lay and pondered upon this for a
while. Once l tried to raise my hand
to take Nancy's but could not to do
it, and she stopped me with gesture.
NO" said Nancy, you are to keep
very quiet The doctor was insistent
on that"
What does he know about itT' I
asked fretfully. Little country doc
tors are always fussy.'
"But he isn't a little country doc
tor" said Nancy. He's one of the
greatest surgeons in America. That
attack on you got into the papers,
Mason, and the next morning some
friend Of yours, signing himself
'Ogilby,' telegraphed from New York
that he was sending surgeon down,
and in the afternoon the surgeon