11.

Otago Witness, Issue 2249, 8 April 1897, Page 42

11. As Doctor Earight had feared, brain fever kept his patient tossing unconscious on bis befi for two weeks. At the cud cf that time reaßon began to return to William Watford. He had had snch curious dreams during hia fitful slumbers. He had ridden round the world on his wheel and seen such wonderful countries and such strange people 1 But, behind him all the time, there had been following en a black " wheel of death " a woman who sought to catch him. Every time he looked around that creature seemed neajing him, and he would renew his efforts to get away from her. After one of these spurts, ha woke up with the beads of perspiration on his brow. The room was cool and somewhat darkened, but he knew it waß his own rcom. Every object was familiar — tho p'.ctmes, the wallpaper, the furniture ; bur, who — what — was that sitling in his easy-chair 1 Miss Mitchell, attired in a grey honse wrapper, was reading the morning paper, when she heard a grnff voice ask, " What are you doing there 1 " " Reading," she replied, as she rose and walkod to the bednids. " Who are you ? " questioned Watford. " Alice Mitchell, trained nurse, at your service," replied the woman. "At ni]/ service? I don't wanb you! Go ' away, please I " exclaimed Watford peevishly. For answer Miss Mitchell walked back to the table, poured some medicine into a glass, and carried it to the invalid. " Hare, drink this," she said quietly ; " you are excited.' Watford looked up into her face and frowned. She was not pretty ; but it would have made no difference if she bad been. He detested women generally, and be would brook no commands from any of them. 41 1 won't ! "he replied curtly. » You must !" said the nurse, as if she had anticipated his refusal. " I want you to go, please," began Watford rndeiy. Miss Mitchell laid her hand gently on his shoulder. "You must drink^this; it's the doctor's orders," Bhe said in a low voice. "If you have any complaints to make about my presence here or my treatment of you, make them to Dr Enright when he comes this afternoon. At present yon must do as I say." " Must I " repeated the sick man. " Yes, you mu3t I Your recovery depends upon your obedience to my wishes." She' spoke in a very low but determined voice. Recovery I He had been Bick then ! Watford's hand wandered to his head. How thin and white his arm was 1 There wore bandages on his head. He had been hurt. His fingers touched his face ; his beard wa3 an inch long. He tried to rise in bed, but the effort was too much; he fell back exhausted. The nurse raised his head and placed the glass to his lips. "Drink this!" she commanded; "it is your only chance to get strong." Watford mechanically drained the glass and lay back on the pillow. He was back again in dreamland in a minute, riding his wheel over icebergs, and that inevitable woman on the black bicycle still chasing him. After a few hours' refreshing sleep he awoke to find Dr Eoright at his bedside. The nurse was not in the room. " Don't talk," said the doctor, as Watford was about to speak. " You mußt not tire or excite yourself in any way." Bob the sick man was not to bo^silenced. " Did you send that woman here ? " he asked. Dr Enright nodded. " Then^send her away again I I want no woman near me 1 " cried the sick man piteou3ly. " I told jou not to talk or escite yourself,"

replied the dootor calmly. "At present yon are in my care and I am responsible for your recovery. Miss Mitchell is the best trained nurse in London, and I have engaged her to look after you. She will obey my orders and you must obey hers, if you want to get well. When you are well you can do as you like, but just now you must do as Jlike." Df Enright fixed his eyes on his patient whileJie epoke, and was glad to notice, by the sick man's silence, that he had accepted the inevitable. When he left he told Miss Mitchell on no account to allow the invalid to talk. This was an unnecessary caution, however, as immediately after the doctor* departure Watforrl turned his face to the wall and went to sleep.