Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 959 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

4 _mecognize are under it, and the horse that fell upon Lau- rie weighed between ten and eleven hundred pounds, His arm was broken; he was badly cut and *ruised about both head and body, and he was ‘ameonscious when picked up, and carried back sto the hotel. No trouble was experienced in stopping the horse that remained after Dare had fired, and, when Laurie was taken from under his mate, the ladies alighted and followed those who were carrying him to the hotel. Captain Dare had gone ahead and engaged the rooms he had intended to occupy next day, at once, and when the bearers arrived, Laurie was received by Mrs. Dare, A doctor, who was stopping at the hotel, and who had witnessed the affair, had followed ‘the men who carried Laurie to Dare’s apart- ments, to render whatever aid was-needed. He ‘had just finished a hasty examination of Laurie, “when Mrs, Mackay and her daughter entered. ‘Well, doctor, what’s the damage?” asked ‘‘ His arm is broken, he has been badly bruised and his head—well, 1 can’tsay anything about ‘that just yet, but he has received a very severe - Shock . and will require most careful attend- ance, ** He shall have it!” exclaimed Dare. ‘*T will see to that—he will not—” began Mrs, Dare, when she was interrupted by Agnes Mackay, who, with flushed cheeks and sus- piciously bright ye exclaimed: ** No, P will see to that!” CHAPTER XXIV, ‘‘om WAS NOT MY BROTHER.” Tas curious crowd that followed the uncon- ‘scious Laurie to Dare’s apartments had served to screen Mrs. Mackay’s party from observation until Agnes spoke, and then those around the ‘bed turned in surprise to look at her. Mrs. Dare knew nothing of the duels, but, be- ‘ing a woman, she grasped the situation, to a great extent, where a man would have been yer stad at a loss. ‘‘Why,.Agnes!” she exclaimed, kissing the trembling girl, and then observing Mrs. Macka and Julia in the background, cordially wel- comed them, while in a quiet aside she requested Dare to get rid of the crowd, “We were in the runaway,” explained Agnes, as she took possession of the chair that 3. Dare placed for her, at Laurie’s bedside. ** T did not’ ize you until Mr. Lawrence cried ‘It’s Agnes!’ as he jum from the balcony inte the Park,” returned Mrs. Dare, ‘‘ We saw him jump, but, of course, did not him,” quietly remarked Julia, adding: ‘We were not aware of Mr. Lawrence’sarriv Has he been here for any length of time?” ‘* We arrived this afternoon—Mr. Lawrence, my husband and myself.” . Mackay was a Neapolitan; before her lay the man who had killed her son, It had happened almost accidentallyy and everythin zonnected with the sad affair had been fair an .above-board—so Lord Manners had assured her —but her son was dead, and, except to return Mrs. Dare’s greeting, she bad, up to this point, preserved a grim, unben silence. Now she softened a little, and asked: ‘Tig Mr.— Is he dangerously injured?” “It is impossible to say, until 1 have made a more thorough examination, madam,” replied the doctor, who was talking to Dare. Before anything further could be said, the door of the outer room was thrown open with- out ceremony, and in rushed Spence and Lee, followed by Tom Jones, Mr. Mackay and Lord Manners. George’s excitement was caused oy the exag- gerated report of the accident, and Mr, Mackay —though he entered in a more leisurely manner —was not much calmer than the anxious Gentle- man, who excitedly demanded: ‘‘1s he badly hurt? They told us he was dead —that all were more or less burt!” ‘¢ Not so bad as that,” smilingly replied Dare, emiled faintly on seni dng George staasding ob the y foot of the bed, and w rrarets “Ts she safe?” But one person in the room heard the A Meni although the blush that dyed Agnes kay’s cheek, gave all a pretty fair idea of its pur- “ We were not hurt, Mr. Lawrence.” Agnes, for the benefit of the listeners, said this quite loudly, as George came forward with: ‘* What is it, Laurie?” Laurie, however, paid no attention to the The Four Comiianders, question, Like one electrified, he had turned on hearing the voiceof the fair girl beside him, and, perceiving this, George fell back to his former position, Whether it was the presence of so many spec- tators, or the change which he naturally sup- had taken place in her Conn toward , since her brother’s death, Laurie could not decide, but whatever the causo, Agnes met his startled gaze with the greatest composure. ‘* She’s full of grit!” was the mettal comment of the Gentleman, who had not sent for his friend without cause, “TI was afool to dream of forgiveness!” thought Laurie, and with that hopeless thought came unconsciousness. A low, startled cry from Agnes called atten- tion to the sufferer’s condition, and disregarding pte yg etiquette, the dwarf-surgeon or- ered: ‘¢ Clear out! every mother’s son of ye, except this young lady. ou are killing the patient yee your talking and staring!” and turning to gnes: ‘* You are going to nurse him, I take it?” ‘“*] am—he saved my life,” “Very cute!” mentally observed George, as, with the others, he entered the adjoining room. ‘““How did you know who it was?” asked are, ‘‘ We were out sailing, and as we came in, I saw the Hawk, hailed her, and learned that you had gone ashore. ‘“‘We had inquired at several hotels, before the news of the runaway reached us, and then we came at a rate that made the people think runaways were on top this P, M. ‘‘Hello! Here come the two uncles.” As George concluded, Mr, Spence and Mr, Lee, who had taken matters quite coolly, entered and were introduced to Dare. Jones now came from the inner room, care- fully closing the door behind him, and an- nounced: ‘“‘ He’s conscious—the arm is set—he’s badly bruised—but he’s not injured internally.” Then, in the nearest approach he could make to a whisper, he said to Spence: ‘“‘The best. medicine I can prescribe is sitting beside his bed—but I can’t risk more than five minutes of that—it’s too powerful,” “‘T understand,” returned George, with a very knowing look. About the same time Agnes Mackay was say- ing, with downcast eyes, and flaming cheeks: He was not my brother—and—and—Lord Manners aed were not to blame—and—and we—I believed him.” CHAPTER XXV. AGNES’S STORY. Tum astounding statement made by Agnes— that Alec Mackay was not her brother, was called forth by Laurie’s pleading question: “Can you—will you ever forgive me my ot I did not know his name, and had not the faint- est idea that he was your brother.” Then came Agnes’s statement followed by: ‘‘Nor am lin any way related to the family whose name I bear, and with whom I have lived since infancy. ‘“*Mr. Mackay, who has been a second father to me, is simply my guardian, having taken charge of me, and some property left by mother, who died a month after my father, when [ was un infant.” Laurie listened, scarcely comprehending what Agnes was saying. It was enough for him to know that she was not Alec Mackay’s sister. **T did not know anything of this until quite recently, when Mr, Mackay decided it was time to tell me, as his guar p ceases within a ear, ‘* And then you will be free—can do as you please?” asserted, rather than asked, Laurie, with an eager meaning that brought the blood to Agnes s cheeks, ‘Hush! Some one is coming in,” she warned, giad of the interruption, and Jones, after much cabling with the door-knob, re to his patient, The patient—quite the reverse of his nurse— was not at all thankful for the interruption, and, guessing the reason, the surgeon favored him with a broad smile, as he turned to the rather confused nurse, saying: ‘¢ T think our patient is looking better—don’t you with me?” * On, yes,” murmured Agnes, stud the Lowy vee of the carpet—to the intense delight of e little giant, who continued: ‘‘ That's an ugly bruise on the forehead—sup- ‘state of affairs between SS ed _~ eee! come nee Tey See pose you bathe it with this warm water. You will be certain to cause less pain than I would, ‘**T will go for more warm water,” Chuckling over the increased confusion of Agnes, Jones hurried out of the room, but must have forgotten his errand, for when he returned at the expiration of a half-hour he brought no water—nor did he refer to it until it was appar- ent that both patient and nurse had failed to notice his neglect. : During the surgeon’s absence, quite an inter- esting conversation took place between Agnes and Laurie, It began when Agnes, with a feeble attempt to appear at ease, made a dab at the patient’s forehead, and stuck the wet cloth in his eye. “Oh, dear! I hope you are not hurt, Mr. Lawrence!” she exclaimed. _ ** Miss Mackay, what do you mean by mister- ing me?” demanded Laurie, in a very severe ne, ‘* Well—then—Laurie.” ‘* That’s nearer to it,” gravely commented the patient, and after regarding the blushing girl very attentively for a moment or two, contin- ued: ‘‘Now, if you were to say ‘dear Laurie, 1 think it would sound still better—don’t you?” He captured oneof the hands nervously toyin with the now forgotten wet cloth, and repea the question. Although the answer was almost inaudible, Laurie appeared to be perfectly satisfied. That was the bene “"Yhen the dwarf announced his presence out- side the door, by holding a two-minute conver- sation with an imaginary servant, Agnes was wn = 5 ‘Very well. Since you insist upon it, I will agree to leave this country as soon as tam of age—but not a word until then! Promise me that, Laurie—dear!” with a tender dwelling on the last word. That was the ending—and Jones entered. After surveying the demure-looking nurse, and noting the proud, ha PY air of the patient, the surgeon, with a ents glance from one to the comp’ Be nt both by yr bn ‘‘T’'m glad you bathed this hurt, Miss Mackay. It looks much worse than I gi i it was at first, but the bathing you did will soon begin to have effect.” Agnes flushed guiltily, and then turned pale. Laurie was startled for the moment, but, per- ceiving the lurking grin on the dwarf’s counte- the girl who had just promised to be his wife, saying: ‘** Don’t mind, Agnes! He’s only trying to frighten you.” ‘* Agnes,” repeated Jones, innocently, ‘* what a pretty name, Mister Lawrence.” ‘Get out!” shouted Laurie, laughing, despite the fact that the dwarf’s words caused Agnes to blush furiously, and evidently pained her, The keen-eyed dwarf, observing the girl’s dis- tress, instantly changed his tone, and in a most respectful manner, said: : ‘*T shall have to leave you in charge, Miss Mackay, while I see to the preparation of some medicines, ‘(Shall I send Mrs. Dare to keep you com- ‘‘'Yes, if you please,” replied Agnes, grateful for the change. _ ‘‘ He will be silent—don’t worry!” assured Laurie, as the door closed on Jones, Immediately after Mrs. Dare entered, and one look of the bride of a bp satisfied her of the aurie and Agnes, CHAPTER XXVI. CALLED HOME — DISAPPOINTED — BACK EUROPE. UNDER the tender care of Agnes and Mrs, Dare, and the careful treatment of Jones, Lau- rie soon was able to leave his room. Mr. Mackay had made no objection to his adopted) snares nursing Laurie, nor did rs, Mackay, though she looked somewhat an- gry when Agnes announced her intention of re- maining until the patient was fully recov- ered, ‘‘This is the second. time he hes been injured on our account, and the least we can do is to as- sist in bringing him back to health and strength,” she said, very quietly, but firmly, Mr. Mackay looked at her curiously, sighed and bowed. He was a Spc man, and while Laurie’s chance- shot had blighted many a fond hope and sad- dened his life, he did not blame the latter for what had happened, though he could never ge meet the young commander on the terms their former acquaintance, | | TO rns cn ett 4 0 Ary ui & 5 . } Ni " » + ~ + : \ i + ~ oy : a cy : « Bs 4 : ‘ : , - ee * ~~ - . © wy 7 : 7 : - } . "" ;