Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-10-27
CHAPTER xLvI.

CHAPTER XLvI.
Presently Mckinney came down stairs.
Dorothy had stopped crying, and John, looking
like nightmare of himself, came in to hear
the great mans verdict. The great man had
none to give. It was impossible at that junc.
ture to predicate anything; they could only
hope for the best and prepare for the worst
"By the worst you mean"- Dorothy ques.
toned.
absolute blindness" he answered. "There
is, however, every reason to hope that the
right eye can be saved, but the left eye is more
seriously threatened. say we must hope for
the best, and the best will be the complete
restoration of both eyes and the happy avoid.
ance of Disagreement"
"And when,", asked Dorothy, "shall we
know?"
Certainly in not less than a week. Perhaps
not till the end of a fortnight. 1t depends
somewhat upon his Lordship's constitution
and somewhat upon nursing and care These,
OF course, he will have. But let me impress
upon Your Ladyship that he must be kept abso.
lntely calm; excitement would undo every.
thing. Let me also say that much depends upon
you. You must conserve your own strength,
energy and self-cOntrol. You will require
them all. Have you had any dinner? thought
not. Well, have it now and then go up to him.
He's asking for you. And, remember, no ex.
element; keep him calm and happy, and I
verify believe we may count upon the best. My
dear madam" he broke off, turning to Mrs.
Forbes, "will you make yourself responsible
for the physical we'll being of your daughter?
See that she eats and sleeps sensibly, takes a
little air and exercise every day and does not
fret unduly."
II will" said Mrs. Forbes; "indeed, I WILL"
And forthwith set out upon her task by ring
Il ,F,.,> 4
the Immediate production of sandwiches and
sherry. She afterward sought audience with
Mrs. OLeary, and sustained herself through
the anxiety Of the next few days by maryels
of invalid cookery, which she performed in the
still room under the admiring gaze of the still
room maids. She put Dorothy and Pat upon
invalid diet She would have treated Forbes
in the same way had he not successfully re-
sisted, and even John Gresham she once or
twice persuaded to partake of chicken broth
and toast. The madness was dying down in
Gresham. He had gone forth deliberately to
kill his brother and now the thought that he
had blinded him was torture. Nature had her.
self taken Johns case in hand and his constitu-
ton had refused to accept any more whiskey.
For day or two he starved on water and
morphine Then Mrs. Forbes, finding the lion
with his claws drawn and his strength gone,
introduced the chicken broth and triumphed.
In all the hurry and excitement of those first
few days John took no part. Once or twice
he was sent for to his brothers room. but the
sight of his own handiwork, the bandaged head
and the great quiet body on the bed, rendered
him almost speechless. Yet once being alone
with Pat and knowing that MichaePs presence
in the house could not long be kept secret from
him, he had told his brother that the child
was there. As much of Pats face as was left
visible by his bandages smiled, and he reached
blindly for his brothers hand. at is as l
should wish it," said he. Didn't l tell you
that had married a wonderful woman?
"But don't say anything to her about it,"
warned John. "They won't let me in again if
they know I've told you. You are not supposed
to be agitated."
"Nonsensew said his brother. "pm glad
you've told me. She is the most marvellous
woman in the world, John, and you say" he
went on, chat she's going to bring him up with
our boyf Well, he couldn't be in better hands,"
"But you will say nothing to her yet awhile?"
John urged
every good" agreed his brother; "since you
are so keen on 1t, won't" And vet when
John had left and Dorothy came back to him
he called her close to the bedside. "My dar
ling" he whispered, "John has told me how
nobly you behaved about
Bnt Dorothy's hand was ON his lips. "No.
mo-" she cried, and fell upon her knees beside
him. Il wasn't noble nor good nor any Of the