PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21210, 5 September 1940, Page 3

PAID IN FULL

= NEW SERIAL STORY E

by H. S. Sarbert

CHAPTER V (Continued) “You can’t take him there, doctor,” Viola said quickly. “You’d have to wait for an ambulance—and it’s such a long way off. Our place is the nearest.” The doctor nodded. “Yes, that’s right enough,” he said. “Do you think you could put him up, Miss Winn? Mind, I warn you, it may be a long job!” “That doesn’t matter at all,” Viola replied. “I’ll get a room ready for him. Perhaps Tom here will help you carry him in.” There would be no lack of help in that direction, in any case, for the folk were coming from church now, gathering round the scene of the accident. Viola ran into the house and quickly prepared the spare bed-room, which overlooked the lawn and fruit trees. There were always clean, aired sheets kept on this bed, in case of a possible visitor, for old John Winn often had a business acquaintance to stop the night. And the bed was all ready when the doctor and two other men brought Harry Preston upstairs. Viola went quietly from the room, then—a prayer going up from her heart that Harry’s life might be spared. While Dr. Dover was making a careful examination, the overturned car was put back on its wheels. Carrie had suddenly developed hysteria. It had seemed quite wrong to her that she should be left out of it so much—that all the attention should be paid to Harry. So, not being able to faint with any sort of success, she had become hystrical instead, laughing and crying at the same time. Viola was sent for and helped her into the house.

Carrie then decided she would smoke a cigarette, but old John Winn told her very sternly that desecrate the Sabbath as she might outside, he would not allow a woman to smoke in his house. At last Dr. Dover came downstairs, and into the sitting-room. His face was very grave. “It is a bad case of concussion,” he said. “There has been an injury to the skull. There can, of course, be no suggestion of his being moved now. He must stop here.” Can’t Bear It Old John Winn grunted. “Well, I’ll do that much for his father’s sake—because I respect David Preston,” he said. “But I’m not so sure that that ungrateful young rascal hasn’t got what he’s been asking for. A young scamp who doesn’t deserve any ” “Grandfather!” It was a quick cry of reproach from Viola. “He will want nursing,” the doctor went on. “I will arrange for a nurse to come in tomorrow, but he must not be left tonight ” “I’ll see to that, doctor,” Viola told him. “I’ll watch by him through the night—unless, of course ” she heistated, glancing towards Carrie. “I—l would stay myself,” Carrie put in, “but I’m so shaken up—l—l—l feel so terrible ” “Why, of course, you were in the car as well,” Dr. Dover said. He crossed the room, felt Carrie’s pulse, and asked her if she had been hurt in any way. “Only my nerves,” Carrie replied. “They are all shaken up. “I’ll— I’ll go up to the Hall. I think—they can look after me there. And then I’ll come down first thing tomorrow. Perhaps Harry will be able to speak to me then. It’s so awful, with him not saying a word. I—l just can’t bear it!” “Of course you can’t,” John Winn said bluntly. “You’ve caused all the trouble. It was you who caused all the trouble. It was you who caused the accident with youi mad, reckless driving—and it’s the lad who’s got to pay! And now you’re anxious to be away from all the unpleasantness of it. That’s just like you—it’s just the sort of thing you would be doing!” Carrie flushed angrily. “You’re the rudest person I ever met!” she said. “I—l wasn’t tc blame for the accident. It was a nasty bend at the bottom of the hih —and—and it might have happened to anyone. I’m sure I’d rather have been hurt myself than that poor Harry should be injured. I love him!”

“Love! Bah!” John Winn retorted. You don’t understand the meaning of the word. You enticed this boy away from his home, from his own folk, and now perhaps you’ve brought about his death. If you were my daughter ” But Carrie had hurried out of the room.

An hour later Viola was seatec by Harry’s bedside, watching hin with eyes that were very tender. The police had been informed c the accident, and had undertake! to see that Harry’s father would b told. Dr. Dover had been in again but there was nothing much he coulc do. They could only wait events. If necessary, a specialist would be called in from London the following day. It just depended upon how much the patient improved between now and then. For the present, he must be watched—and Viola was seeing to that. There were signs of a rising temperature, but the doctor had expected that. He had told Viola that there might be a little delirium even—and he had left some special medicine. He would look in again before he went to bed, and he would be prepared to come in any time during the night. Viola, as she sat by the side of the man she loved, marvelled at the curious turn in the wheel of life which had given Harry back to her—at least for a time. He was here—in her home—and she was nursing him. That his return should have been marked by an accident was indeed terrible, yet she felt really grateful that it had been given to her

to be able to nurse him—to be with him during the crisis. It should have been Carrie Lucas who was here —but Carrie had not wanted to stay —had been only to glad to get away. That was her idea of love. (To be continued daily)