Part 20 (1/2)
”Miss Warren,” I remonstrated, ”I won't answer for the consequences if you don't go back to the parlor and remain there till the doctor comes.
I know what I'm about.”
”You don't look as if master of the situation. You are haggard--you seem half desperate--”
”I'm anxious about you, and if--”
”Mr. Morton, you are far more anxious about others. I've had time to think. A swoon is not such a desperate affair. You guessed rightly--a thunderstorm prostrates me, but as it pa.s.ses I am myself again.”
After aiding Mr. Yocomb to recline feebly on the lounge, she came to the table where I was breaking the ice, and said, in a low tone:
”Something very serious has happened.”
I could not look at her. I dared not to speak even, for I was oppressed with the dread of a worse tragedy. With her morbid fear of lightning she might almost lose her reason if now, in her weak, unnerved condition, she saw its effect on Mrs. Yocomb and Adah.
”Mother,” moaned Mr. Yocomb; ”why don't mother come?”
”She's with Zillah upstairs,” I faltered. ”Zillah's ill!”
”Then why does not Adah come to her father?” Miss Warren questioned, looking at me keenly.
I felt that disguise was useless.
”Mr. Morton, your hand so trembles that you can scarcely break the ice.
Something dreadful has happened--there's the smell of smoke and fire in the house. Tell me, tell me!” and she laid her hand appealingly on my arm.
”Oh, Miss Warren,” I groaned, ”let me s.h.i.+eld you. If further harm should come to you to-night--”
”Further harm will come unless you treat me as a woman, not as a child,” she said firmly. ”I know you mean it kindly, and no doubt I have seemed weak enough to warrant any amount of s.h.i.+elding.”
At this moment there came a peal of thunder from the pa.s.sing storm, and she sank shudderingly into a chair. As it pa.s.sed she sprang up and said:
”I can't help that, but I can and will help you. I understand it all.
The house has been struck, and Zillah, Adah, and Mr. Yocomb have been hurt. Let me feed Mr. Yocomb with the ice. Are you sure he should have ice? I would give him brandy first if I had my way, but you said you knew--”
”Miss Warren, I don't know--I'm in mortal terror in behalf of the family; but my chief dread has been that you would come to know the truth, and now I can't keep it from you. If you can be brave and strong enough to help me in this emergency, I will honor you and thank you every day of my life.”
”Mother! mother! why doesn't mother come?” Mr. Yocomb called.
Miss Warren gave me a swift glance that was as rea.s.suring as sunlight, and then went quietly into the parlor. A moment later she was giving Mr. Yocomb brandy and water, and quieting him with low, gentle words.
”You remember, Mr. Yocomb,” she said, ”that Zillah was greatly frightened by the storm. You would not have the mother leave the child just yet. Mr. Morton, will you go upstairs and see if I can be of any a.s.sistance? I will join you there as soon as I have made Mr. Yocomb a little more comfortable,” and she went to the parlor and brought out another pillow, and then threw open the hall-door in order that her patient might have more air, for he respired slowly and laboriously.
Her words seemed to quiet him, and he gave himself into her hands. I looked at her wonderingly for a moment, then said, in a low tone:
”You are indeed a woman and a brave one. I recognize my superior officer, and resign command at once.”
She shook her head as she gave me a glimmer of a smile, but urged, in a whisper, ”Hasten, we must not lose a moment.”
I swiftly mounted the stairs, relieved of my chief anxiety.
Through the open door I saw Adah's fair white face. She had not stirred. I now ventured in and spoke to her, but she was utterly unconscious. Taking her hand I was overjoyed to find a feeble pulse.