CHAPTER IV.-(CONTINUED.)

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 277, 30 June 1888, Page 4

CHAPTER IV.-(CONTINUED .)

What might have been the ultimate ctlbct of the drowsiness which had so sti angel y affected Lord Strathspey, we can only surmise. The entrance of Doctor Renfrew broke the sorcerer's spell. As he stepped within the apartment the deadly perfume almost took away hi? breath, and he staggered back, clutching at the door-post for support. His first thought, a** he reco\ erod himself, v>a^ that the dioliacted young nobleman had made an attempt on his own life. ' Heavens, Angus !' he cried, in a \ oioe of horror, ' what, is this ?' The earl lifted his heavy eyes, stared vacantly foi an instant, and then pointed to the scrap of parchment that lay at his feet. The old surgeon picket! it up, but a* the pungent odour struck his nostiils he dropped it again as if it had binned him. • Uood heavens !' he cried, as he dashed open the casement, 'we must ha\eair, or we shall both be done for. The most deadly Eastern diug produce- this perfume, and to inhale it is ccitain death. Angus, for Heaven's take, route yourselt," he continued, grasping the earl by the shoulder and giving him a vigorous shake, • and tell me what this means ":' Lord Strathspey staggered up and made his way to the window. The he&h air soon revived him, but that awful prophecy still rang in his ears. •My own doomed to a felon's fate '' lie i muttered, as he stooped and picked up the parchment. 'Doctor Renfrew, will you look at this ?' The old Scotchman took it charily enough, and examined it at arm's length. ' And pray how came you by this wonderful bit of nonsense? he asked, depositing it on the &111 of the open window as if it were a fire-brand. Lord Strathspey related the occunence of the past night, and the doctor uttered something like an oath. ' The same villain who was lurking in the hall before your arrival,' he cried, 'and no doubt the tame who stole the child. I charged Jeffnes to take him into custody. Why didn't, the knave do it ? All tin- mischief might have been pie\ented. Angus, put down that thing," he continued, as The earl took up the parchment again. 'Don't I tell you that odour is death ':' 'What means this alarming piophecy? 1 ' (|iies ioned the earl. ' Man cannot right with fale ! Renfrew, this prediction will haunt me till the day I die !' ' Don't be a fool, Strathspe} !' stormed the old doctor ; * that odour hat turned your brain. Prediction indeed ' The work of some crafty \illain ; can't you see ? All that scribbling*, nothing but moonshine, and .-o is your prediction. But the thing has been steeped in that deadly diug, and if I hadn't happened in here as soon a- 1 did it would ha\e done its work. Don't you ?eeV You have some bitter enenn, and a crafty one, too. Who is it. Angus ':' 'Hor/eu knows!' replied the earl -olemnly. ' I have never given any man cati-e to be my enemy. But, doctor, how is my w ife V' The old surgeon '- lace fell ai lie an -we red. •Very low, my bo>," he -aid. 'I'm afraid f ,o tell you there's but a ppaik ut hope. You mibt be prepared foi the wor.-t any moment. The London men are with her now, and we've all agreed that there is but one chance for her life, and that ma\ fail/ • What is it .'' f.ilteied the young husband. ' She must ha\e fresh blood iniused into her veins. Thut% what I came heie to tell you. You understand ':— blood from some one 6 veins inf vised into nets. Wo ha\e to lo it on rare occasions. But w hosu blood shall it be V ' Mine !' replied the earl, baring his. muscular arm to the elbow a- he spoke. ' But Doctor Renfrew shook his head. ' I'm afraid it won't do, Angus,' he said. ' You're feverish and excited, and half poisoned by that infernal perfume : and you've not "recovered wholly from that la.st illness. It must be puie, healthy blood. A. woman's blood would be be-st." They were interrupted by a light tap, and Judith put her head in at the dooi. 'I beg your paidon, m> lord,' she said : ' but the doctois are waiting. They say you must come at once ; there's not a moment to lose." 'What shall we do V' cried the eail. * Doctor, won't my blood answei '! For Heaven's sake, be quick !' ' Is there no one else: leplied the doctor. ' There'll be a risk in intuMiig your blood in its present heated state. It should bo calm, healthy blood, and a woman's, it we could get it. ' -Judith, who had remained at the door, advanced into the room, roiling up her sleeve as she came. 'Doctor' — -she hesitated — 'my lori, I beg your pardon, but would you ' And bhe pau&ed, crimson with embuuu^ment, btill extending her bare brown arm. The old surgeon glanced over her lithe, well-formed figure, and at her pretty rosy face, and his grey eyes lit with admiration. ' Do you mean to say, Judith,' he asked, ' that you are willing to give the countess your blood ?' 'That's what I mean," she leplied; 'if my lord will not be offended.' ' Offended, Judith "'' cried the earl. ' Heaven bless you ■ If you save my wife, I'll give you five thousand pounds for your marriage portion. ' Done ! A bargain, Judith," cried the doctor. ' You are just what we want, «trong and healthy. Come on. I trust you'll get your reward." ' I don't want any reward,' sobbed the girl, as she followed them ; 'I'd freely give every drop in my body to save my poor lady's life.' On her bed in the crimson state chamber lay the young mother, white as a .snowdrift, the breath fluttering on her. pallid lips, and beside her »at the two London surgeons, grave and eilent. They arose as Doctor Renfrew entered, with Judith at his side. • She'll do, I am certain.' he said, leading her to the bedside. The doctors nodded simultaneously, and began to make their preparations. • Now, tny good girl,' said Doctor Renfrew, placing her in a seat, ' be calm and strong-; we won't hurt you. Here, Strathspey, can't you be ready to support her head, if she needb it t ' I shall not need it, doctor,' replied J udith, looking up with her steady brown eyes, and extending her brown dimpled I arm.

And she was right. She bat like a statue while the doctors did their work, and sent her rich warm blood thrilling through the sluggish \ einb of the almost lifeless sutlcrer. '1 believe it will save her,' remarked one of the doctors, as he bandaged Judith's aim. 1 Heaven grant it !' responded the carl ; anil lie added, ijlanciMir «-ifc Judith 'b white rheek* a^ .she left the chamber, ' whether it does or not, my good giil, >ou shall have your immingc jiortion. '