Part 17 (1/2)
Reclining half dressed, in a big easy-chair, Randall McLean heard the crash of the horses' hoofs and the whirr-r-r of the wheels on the gravelly road in front, and demanded of the attendant an account of the party
”The doctor, sir, and the two young ladies--out for a drive”
McLean was silent for a one home some time before on household cares intent, and the doctor was by this tiarrison It left the patient allery,” he presently said, as he slowly raised hiainst the table
”Put a robe and pillow in it Then come back and help ued, but Mr McLean silenced hiue-coat and with a white silk handkerchief around his neck and his fatigue-cap tilted over one eye, the young officer, leaning on the attendant's arm, slowly made his way into the open air and was soon coain Severalon the piazza of the quarters across the parade, arose, put away their pipes, and came over to stand attention and salute their popular lieutenant, and to say how glad they were to see hiain It touched McLean's sad and lonely heart to see the pleasure and the trust and faith in their brown, honest faces, and the tears ca theallery where he could see theh feeble response to the hearty pressure of their brawny hands Then he bade the attendant, after a little chat about Mr Hatton's condition and the ive theahela; but Corporal Stein proht they caratulate their young officer; and, though one or two of them, not so sensitive as the corporal, doubtless took him to task at a later o in and drink, but presently returned to their barracks, comforted with the reflection that they had done the proper thing
Meanti the voices on the lower gallery, readily divined that Mr McLeanthe air Five entlee would return, he heard a quick, light footstep along the wooden floor, the rustle of feminine skirts, and almost before he could turn, the cordial, musical voice of the Queen of Bedla up! This is sihtful”
For an instant he knew not what to say--how to greet her Heavens! what thoughts of that glooh his brain He tried to speak, tried to conceal his grievous eaunt face flushed painfully and the thin hand he extended in acknowledght a chair, set it close by the side of the big arracefully thanked hiency that had not occurred to McLean for an instant His whole idea had been to be where he could see Nellie's face, possibly receive a smile and bow, possibly a joyous word or two on her return He had been able for the tiet all about Miss Forrest and the part he had been co her with that web of evidence and suspicion, and now, at this raceful girl s at his side
For a few ; Hatton, Captain Terry's Grays, and the fight down the Platte furnishi+ng her with abundant ratulations His constraint and sole coes she believed to have been laid at his door; and, while avoiding all mention of that subject, it was her earnest desire to show him by every trick of woman's infinite variety and shade ofbut admiration for his soldierly conduct, and trust and friendshi+p for hiue, unresponsive, and ements, and then--she noted how his eyes were constantly wandering away up the road, and, oman's quick intuition, divined that he was out there for no other purpose than to watch for the return of the doctor's carriage
Presently it ca that she had heard from Mr Holmes in their recent talks of the doctor's distrust and antipathy toward McLean, Miss Forrest quickly arose and stepped to the end of the gallery She had deter soldier should not be balked in so irl he loved She felt assured that unless he was signalled or checked in some way the doctor would drive by ”full tilt,” and, with the quickness of thought, she had for at the north end of the gallery and holding aloft her white palnalling ”stop,” was enough tothe powerful team back on their haunches directly in front of the steps, and, before a word could be said in explanation, there, flushi+ng feebly, was Randall McLean, striving to lift himself from his nest of robes and pillows, and salute the lady of his heart
Lachlan stepped quickly forward fro on the other, McLean was half lifted to the railing, where he could look right into the bonnie face he longed to see Nellie Bayard, sitting nearest hiure, and her little hand tightly closed beneath the lap-robe on the sturdier fingers of Miss Bruce A joyous light danced only one instant in her eyes, and died out as quickly as the flush upon her cheek at sight of Miss Forrest's supporting arement which prevented her acceptance of the doctor's offer? Was this the way in which the hero of her girlish drealy handsoirl at his side, alht had stung the doctor too, and the sah his head
”This will never do, Mr McLean,” he sternly spoke, ”you are in no condition to venture out; I'll be over to see you in a minute Get back to your room as quick as you can” And with these words he whipped up his teae flashed away Nellie had not spoken a word
For a azed bitterly after the retreating vehicle aeyes to his silent co fixedly after the doctor's little party, her color fluttering, her eyes glowing, and her white teeth setting firmly Then impulsively she turned to him:
”This is all ht have known Forgive ood shall yet come of this, for now I have a crow to pick with Dr
Bayard, and Iin,--at once?”
”Yes There's nothing else to do,” he answered, wearily, hopelessly, wretchedly, as he slowly turned away
”Mr McLean!” she exclaimed, with sudden and irrepressible excite I must say to you Lachlan, please step inside the hall,” she hurriedly continued
”I'll call you in plenty of tiet here Now, Mr McLean, listen! I know so of the toils by which you have been surrounded, and how unjustly you have been treated; but let me tell you that the very man you have most feared is the man of all others who stands your steadfast friend Look!
He's coraph office I al Ihow your heart was bound up in Nellie Bayard Nay, don't turn away in such despair I read her better than you do, and I know you better than you think I tell you brighter days are near Keep up a brave heart, Mr McLean Remember your name; remember 'The race of Clan Gillian--the fearless and free' I tell you that were I a man I could envy you the truth I read in Nellie Bayard's eyes All is coood wishes with it”
He took it wonderingly, silently Good heavens! Was this the wo crimes? Was it possible that she could have been the criminal, and yet at the very time could write thoseaid and friendshi+p? Whatwith excite eyes fastened on the rapidly advancing for of the man he most feared as his most steadfast friend?
Just as Major and Mrs Miller with Dr Bayard stepped upon the broad gallery of Bedlaht of the group at the other, Mr Holraphic despatch, held forth his own to Randall McLean
”Read it aloud!” was all he said, and eagerly she obeyed:
”CHUGWATER, Friday, 4 PM
”ROSWELL HOLMES, ESQ, Fort Lara it for Cheyenne Has plenty money Close at his heels
”DRAKE”
XIX