Year: 1867

lay prostrate figure, moaning at every
breath. His face was concealed by {
handkerchief, and the blood was slowly
dripping from a gunshot wound just
above the ankle-a " ound which had
been clumsily bandaged by some unskil
ful hand. Moreover, there was DARK
red stain on the straw where his head
lay, and his light brown hair was mat
ted with coagulated drops. Two oil
three men stood around, with rude
masks Of black cloth drawn over their
faces, in which three Sits were cut for
the eyes and mouth; and female figure
knelt behind the heap of straw, yelled
closely.


The men silently made way for me as
I advanced into the apartment, and held
their lanterns 80 that the lurid ligh
should fall full upon my strange patient
as silently I stopped and examined
both wounds.


well 2 asked my carriage compan-
ion.


Il can do nothing. He must die


Nonsense A mere bullet through
the leg-what does that amount to =
hurnedly gasped the man.


tIn itself, not much but that blow
upon the skull must prove fatal


"A low, halt-suppressed cry broke
from the woman opposite. She tore the
veil from her face, as if she could not
breath through Its heavy folds, reveal
ing features as white and beautiful in
their marble agony as so much sculptur-
dsone. She did not seem more than
thirty, but I afterwards knew that she
was indeed more than ten years older.
But in spite of her present anguish how
grandly beautiful she was Large dark
eyes-hair like coiled gold, catching
strange CLEANS from the shifting lanterns
and broad, smooth brow-it was
a face you see but once in lifetime.


And yet, In the midst of her distress
she never spoke.


AT least you can do something for
him, doctor7' said my interlocutor, ms
patiently. Don't let us waste time
here


As I proceeded in my minlstratlons,
the moaning grew fainter and fainter,
the convulsive movements became
scarcely pereeptible. A faint CLEAN OF
hope lighted up the face of the woman
opposite she looked appealingy at me-


He is better-he is surely belter'


He will be soon,' l answered, moved
to pity in spite Of myself He cannot
live half an hour longer


The horror Of that sepulchral silence
that fell upon us as my accents died
sway-shall I ever forget 1T And five
minutes afterward the breathing, spas
modic and painful to hear, died into
eternal stiffness.


The woman lifted the corner of the
handkerchief, and gazed into the ghastly
face. 1t was that OF young man of
abouttwenty-two, and who had evident-
ly been marvel!ously good looking.


oh, heavens, he is dead !!


Her clear agonized voice was ringing
in my ears, as they led me back into the
darkness Of the night. felt bank
note In my hand as I entered the car
riage once more.


Doctor, you have done your best
1t is not your fault that your efforts have
not been more successful. Remember,
you are pledged to secrecy.


The next moment I was whirling
swiftly through the November midnight,
with the strange, unquiet feeling of
one awakened suddenly from a startling
dream. Yet 1t was no dream-alas it
was startling reality,


The carriage stopped at cross road
near the village.


Please to alight here, SIR said the
driver. You are not far from home


I obeyod, and stood listening in the
middle of the road, while the noise of
carriage wheels died away, losing its
distinctness in the shrek of the restless
winds. And the clock in the village
church tolled out the hour Of one.


Late as it was, however, my surgery
was still open and lighted up; the SER
want from Haddenleigh Hail had just
ridden up to the door.


Ifyou please, doctor, you are wanted
Immediately at the Hall, The Colonel
said you were to ride my horse, if
yours was not already saddled, and l
can walk, so there will be no time
lost.'


I mechanically mounted tho noble
animal that stood waiting tor me, and
rode of, rather glad OF ON opportunity
to revolve IN my mind the singular ad-
venture that had betallon me during the
avon,n1