Part 102 (1/2)

CHAPTER LIII

THE COTTAGE

When Despard had bound Clark he returned to look after Langhetti He lay feebly and round Despard carefully examined his wounds His injuries were very severe His arms were lacerated, and his shoulder torn; blood also was issuing from a wound on the side of his neck Despard bound these as best he could, and then sat wondering what could be done next

He judged that he ht be four or five miles froo Besides, Beatrice was there, and she could nurse Langhetti But how could he get there?--that was the question It was io on horseback He tried to foran tobetween two horses, and had already cut doith his knife two small trees or rather bushes for this purpose, when the noise of wheels on the road before hion, and it was co from the direction of Denton

Despard stopped it, explained his situation, and offered to pay any thing if the farmer would turn back and convey his friend and his prisoner to Denton It did not take long to strike a bargain; the farmer turned his horses, soon, and on these Langhetti was deposited carefully Clark, who by this tirimly and sulkily; the three horses were led behind, and Despard, riding on the wagon, supported the head of Langhetti on his knees

Slowly and carefully they went to the village Despard had no difficulty in finding the cottage It here the letter had described it The village inn stood near on the opposite side of the road

It was about nine o'clock in the evening when they reached the cottage

Lights were burning in the s Despard jumped out hastily and knocked A servant came Despard asked for the nized hihted up with joy But Despard's face was sad and gloomy He pressed her hand in silence and said:

”My dear adopted sister, I bring you our beloved Langhetti”

”Langhetti!” she exclaimed, fearfully

”He has met with an accident Is there a doctor in the place? Send your servant at once”

Beatrice hurried in and returned with a servant

”We will first lift him out,” said Despard ”Is there a bed ready?”

”Oh yes! Bring hiony of suspense

She hurried after thehetti out and took him into a room which Beatrice showed them They tenderly laid him on the bed Meanwhile the servant had hurried off for a doctor, who soon appeared

Beatrice sat by his bedside; she kissed the brow of the almost unconscious sufferer, and tried in every possible way to alleviate his pain The doctor soon arrived, dressed his wounds, and left directions for his care, which consisted chiefly in constant watchfulness

Leaving Langhetti under the charge of Beatrice, Despard went in search of a istrate He found one without any difficulty, and before an hour Clark was safe in jail The inforainst him was corroborated by the brands on his back, which showed him to be a man of desperate character, who had formerly been transported for crime

Despard next wrote a letter to Mrs Thornton He told her about Langhetti, and urged her to co Edith with her Then he returned to the cottage and wished to sit up with Langhetti Beatrice, however, would not let him She said that no one should deprive her of the place by his bedside Despard remained, however, and the two devoted equal attention to the sufferer Langhetti spoke only once He was so faint that his voice was scarce audible

Beatrice put her ear close to his mouth

”What is it?” asked Despard

”He wants Edith,” said Beatrice

”I have written for her,” said Despard

Beatrice whispered this to Langhetti An ecstatic smile passed over his face