CHAPTER II.

BITTER MOMENTS.


The serious accident that had befallen Mr. Dare was in reality a very
simple one. The ladder that he had been ascending was covered with
early morning dew, and when near the top his foot had slipped, and,
being unable, on account of his rheumatism, to catch a quick hold, he
had fallen on his side to the ground. No one had seen his fall, and
he lay unconscious for full ten minutes before a fellow workman, who
had been busy on the other side of the building, discovered him and
summoned assistance.

The five or six men that were soon gathered did what they could to
bring him to consciousness, but without success. One of them ran off
to hunt up the doctor, and then the others took a door that had not
yet been hung in the new house, and, fastening a heavy strip at either
end for handles, covered it with their coats, and placed the wounded
man upon it.

None of the men cared to face Mrs. Dare with such painful news, and
it was only after repeated urging that Nicholas Boswell had been induced
to go on ahead.

"My father, my poor father!" was all Richard could say, as he gazed
at the motionless form upon the litter.