THE WOMAN WITHIN

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 306, 24 December 1903, Page 6

THE WOMAN WITHIN

■ Q By ATHOL FOEBES.

CHAPTER XLH. "You won't hurt mc," she said. '"Promise mc you won't hurt mc, and I jrill confers all." "I promise," he said, quietly, '"but—" "And you'll give mc some brandy" "Come Lark to your room." '•'No; you have come, hero to kill mc —the young man said you would. Go away; I am not your wife; you cannot interfere with mc. E was married before 1 knew you, and he is still alive ami he will protect mc. Let mf gn to Mm. I urn not your wife. Oo away am! leave mc. There! There!" she broke off with a blood-curdling shriek of terror—"There they are! They are after ine again!'"' She got up and attempted to get away, but Ids grip was upon her, and e!i.-. struggled in vain. "Sow then!" broke in the rough voice of a policeman, ''what is all this r.oi-o about?" lie came up the stairs with a heavy tread. "Help mc to pel her to her room," Mr Langthorne said to the oiiicer. "Wot are you doing to herr" "Don't ask stupid questions, but help mo to get- the poor creature hack to jeer room, then there will be time for explanations." Together they carried her upstairs, when another surprise confronted them Mrs Calking lav on the floor in a heap, willi blood (lowing from the back of her lipad. "This is a pretty go," said the constable. "1 know nothing about it. I came here with some painful news for this poor woman, Mrs Barking—" "An" he met the t'other woman coniin' daown the stairs," put in the boy. "Run for a doc-tor, my little man," paid Mr Langthorne. Neither he nor the policeman could attend t?> Mrs Barking, for the other woman struggled and fought with the ferocity of a fiend. At last, panting and exhausted, they Hung her upon the bed and pressed her down. The officer held her there while Mr Langthorne raised Mrs Barking. She was some minutes before she could speak coherently. "Thank God someone has come." she sobbed. "1 couldn't hold her: she tried to jump out of the window to get brandy. I had none to give her, and no money io buy it." Mr Langthorne soothed her with kind words until the doctor came. "There is nothing for it. We must strap her to the bed. Tt is a bad case of delirium tremens. Better send for the parish doctor." he. added. "If it is a question of money, I will be responsible." "'Very well, sir," said the medical man. He and the-officer with great difficulty succeeded in securing the demented woman: then he- examined the wound on Mrs Barking's head. "Nothing very serious. We must have a little warm water. See if you can get some." he said to the boy, who darted off at once. The wretched woman on the bed still fought with the strips of torn sheet that bound her hands und feet. "If she goes on much longer at that rale, she will kill herself," he muttered, "['.elder fake the other one into the next. room. Bathe her head, officer, when you get the warm wateT." Presently the lad returned with a can of warm water, and Mr Langthorne and the boy bathed the wound. "No; don't talk," he said kindly. "You can tell mc all about it another time," "Who are you, sir?" she asked. "1 am Mr Langthorne. Your son is in my office. He has—" then he checked himself. "Well, lie is my son." she said simply, "and I am his mother." "I understand: and you have been looking after the poor woman in the next room?" "Yes, sir," she gasped; "and it has nearly killed mc." "You shall be all right in the future. I will see to that. Now, Mrs. Barking, you must try to bear bravely what 1 have got to say. T know where your son is. lie has met with an accident. I came here to-night to tell you. There is no reason to be alarmed. His leg is broken, and it means his being in hospital for a few weeks, but you shall want for nothing." "It is very good of you to come and tell mc, sir. I hope you do not blame mo for what has happened. I tried to do my duty to her." "And you shall be rewarded, for I am sure you have," he said soothingly. "To-morrow you shall have a cab to go and see your son, but rest assured he , is in very good hands. Now, try to answer my question: How long has this woman been here?" "Ever since the night you sent her here." "Do you know who she is?" "No, sir. 1 only know that you wish ed mc to look after her. she lias >■•' mc that her husband is alive, and is somewhere in the Kast End." The conversation was broken off ovine doctor, who came to the door and beckoned to him. "Tins woman is dying,'' he said. "She is quite sensible now. and she wish,to speak to you. It is the calm hefon the end, or I am very much mistaken." The doctor and th.- officer withdrew, and Langthorne was alone with h.-i. He noticed they had removed the i provised straps. A great change had come over ]uv. j !,. i;, ~ blood shot eye- Were i.c.xv - >', the wrinkles had disappeared, and traces of her beauty of byegone years gathered again on the poor distorted features. "Take my hand, John," she said. He drew up a chair to the bedside and sat down, faking her hand in his. (To be concluded on Saturday.)