The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-05-04
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER VIII

Bill Siddal was not conscious
that he had been praying all that
long, bitter night as he sat in the
shabby, ill-ventilated day coach in
train that seemed to be drawn
by slow-moving oxen instead of
steam engine.
Madeline's letter rad been not
only shock but an eye-opener.
Until he had learned of the acct
dent he had not analysed his feel
ing toward the girl he believed to
be his cousin. Her visit had been
acknowledgements event in
his colorless life. Her charm and
beauty had made an indelible i'm
preston, but he had not realized
that he loved her until he read
the letter telling him of her dan
ger. How much danger he dared
not think about. ....
Wishing to spare his grand
uncle suspense and worry, he
made an excuse to get away, in
tending to keep all knowledge Of
the accident from the old man, if
possible, until Madeline was on
the road to recovery.
Haggard-eyed, unShaven, and
wearing his work clothes with
stout cowhide boots, he did not
present very prosperous appear
ance when he strobe into the hos
pital that bright morning at eight
o'clock. DR.. Cotton, though by no
means mercenary, wondered If he
were going to have charity pa
tient on his hands and whether he
had not been foolish to permit the
other sister to leave without pay
ing for at least one week IN ad-
vance.
as she alive?" the young man
demanded across the desk.
Assured that she was, Bill sank
weakly into a chair and for sew
eral seconds seemed unable to
speak. =,
''But she can not be moved at
present" DR.. Cotton said. mot
for two weeks at least"
'I-I may see herr"
"Surely. Miss Wyatt-take Mr..
Siddal to 39.'
Donna was asleep when they
stepped into the hushed chamber.
The nurse in attendance sat by
the window, reading magazine.
She arose and instantly became
professional.
Bill crossed to the bedside and
looked down at the white, pinched
face. 1t required tremendous
effort not to bend down and kiss
that face, not to murmur the love
that surged through him like a
tumultuous torrent. He wanted
to hold her close in his arms and
leg her to live for his sake: to
nut aside forever the hazardous
career she had begun and stay IN
his love and shelter.
"You must go now" the nurse
said when he had stood notion
less for several minutes.
"She-is going to live?"
"Of course. But she must not
have any ex ,itement." -.
Below DIR. Cotton was waiting
for him. "Miss Gahriel-er-tne
other sister said that you-ltS
customary to pay hospital bills IN
advance, but the circumstances
were such that"
81 understand Bill said grave
". 81 will take care of Miss SID
dal's expenses" He drew check
book from his pocket, asked the
amount and filled in a blank
~ u y =
In all his 26 years Bill had
never known sick day. Possibly
it was his own virile health that
had prompted him to take up the
study of medicine. All that he
had learned about It was forgot
ten now in the flood of relief that
swept over him. Madeline would
recover! He did not question Dr'
Cotton's diagnosis, nor his state,
.ment that she could not be moved
for two weeks. If she had to stay,
then Bill would stay.
Not until hours later did the
fact of their close relationship
discolor his dreams of their tu-
ture together. Then, like a spec
ter; this fact arose to haunt him.
Even if Madeline loved him could
they lace a community that would
look upon their marriage as
sin? So long as Grandfather Sid