The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1913-02-27

than any shavsn tonsurs, stared for Q
moment In sad silence. Then, turning
to me. he asked:
"But what has happened to Mr. Cam
sron. sir7"
Il wish I could tell you Chscka-
beedy." was my unguarded reply. Il
wish he could tell us himself"
But he 10 20 wasted. sir! And HE
clothes. I never saw Mr.. Cameron in
such clothes"
It was quite true. They were OF
what 10 called. I believe. . psppersand-
salt mixture. coarse Of texture and III.
cut. yet not much worn.
"He does not recognize u.s." Checka.
beedy went on, and still he 10 con.
scious. May I ask you. cir. where you
brought him FRONT"
I chose to ignore the question, In
sudden realization Of the necessity Of
caution.
'"And he has been missing q month.
they say. sir. 10 that true. Mr.. Clyds?"
"Missing!" I repeated. who says
he has been missing?"
"The servants all say 30. sir"
"Then the servants must get rid Of
the idea. at once" I said. sharply. Mr..
Cameron has merely been out Of town
for y while. He went away for his
health. and now he has returned. bene-
flied. Do you understand. Checka-
beedy? He has returned. benefited.
And now. you and Louis will get him
to his room. while I telephone for DR..
Massey"
Checkabesdy bowed. asserting. and
Louis. still w%himpsring. wiped his
eyes.
1t was nearly four o'clock when tho
physician left his patient and Joined
me in the library downstairs. His face
was very grave.
Il have examined Mr.. Cameron thor
oughly." he said. "and / can assure
you that he is not seriously injured"
The phrase opened up q new line Of
thought to me.
Seriously injured?" I repeated. Il
don't understand. Doctor. Do you
mean that"
Il mean." he interrupted. that the
blow on the back Of the head caused
no fracture"
"Then he was struck?"
Undoubtedly. Probably with .
sandbag. Hence his present dazed con
dition. Had the blow been delivered
with more force. 1t might have result.
ed in complete loss of memory. You
have heard. Of course. of instances
where men have forgotten evsa their
own namssf"
/ nodded.
"Mr. Cameron will regain his mem.
DRY. It's merely q temporary matter. I
have telephoned for q man nurse for
,him-one who understands such cases.
He will bs here in twenty minutes. At
present Mr.. Cameron is sleeping. I
am In hopes that when he awakens his
mind will be comparatively clear"
He was about to bid me goodnight
when I checked him.
Doctor" I said, II am glad to find
you &c optimistic. Before you 60 I
want you to write me q bulletin of MIR.
Cameron's condition and sign 1t. I
want NJ mention in 1t Of the injury.
since 1t is not serious. II possible, I
would suggest that you use the word
'indisposition' and be sure to employ
the temporary you called into play q
moment ago."
DR.. Massey gladly acceded. Seated
at Cameron's writing table he serb.
bled a bulletin Of even more encouras.
ing and confident tenor than I had in.
diceted. And I used it to urn the tide
Of speculation in Crystal Consolidated:
But neither the spoken nor the writi
ten words Of the physician held for
me any considerable measure Of 90,
lace. My friends condition was des,
perate. I knew 1t and my heart ached
for him; but It ached more for Evelyn;
his ward. who loved him. and wha
must be given the Sadness Of good
news only to be crucifed the next mo;
hment on the cross OF anxiety.