Part 31 (1/2)
Her eyes roved around the hospital room, and a look of pain and fright dimmed them. Then, seeming to fear that she had been unkind, she said gently to Alice:
”I am sorry I do not know you, for you are trying to help me, I am sure.
But I never heard the name Estelle Brown. I am not she--that is certain.
If you would only take me home! My people will be worried. We live at the Palace and----”
She tried to raise herself up in bed. A look of pain came over her face, and she fell back with closed eyes.
”She has fainted!” cried Miss Lyon. ”I must get Dr. Wherry at once!
Don't disturb her!”
She hastened off, while Ruth and Alice, not knowing what to think, went softly from the room.
CHAPTER XXV
REUNION
”Nothing but a pa.s.sing fancy,” said Dr. Wherry, later in the day, when Ruth and Alice questioned him about Estelle. ”When a person has received a hard blow on the head, as Estelle has, the memory is often confused.
She will be all right in a day or so. Rest and quiet are what she needs.”
”Then she is in no immediate danger?” asked Mr. Pertell.
”None whatever, physically. She came out of that fall very well, indeed.
The blow on her head stunned her, but the effects of that will pa.s.s away. She has no internal injuries that I can discover.”
The last scenes of the war play were taken. The Confederates, after their final desperate stand were driven back, surrounded and captured.
The ”war” ended.
The regiments of cavalry took their departure. The extra players were paid off and left. A few simple scenes were yet to be taken about Oak Farm, but the big work was over, and every one was glad, for the task had been no easy one.
”Does Estelle yet admit her ident.i.ty?” asked Ruth of Dr. Wherry, two days after the accident.
The physician scratched his head in perplexity.
”No, I am sorry to say she doesn't,” he answered. ”She does not seem to recognize that name. I wish you and your sister would come in and speak to her again. It may be she will recognize you this time. A little shock may bring her to herself. I have seen it happen in cases like this.”
Ruth and Alice again went to the hospital. Estelle was still in bed, but she seemed to be better. But, as before, there was no sign of recognition in the bright eyes that gazed at the two moving picture girls.
”Don't you know me--us?” asked Alice, gently.
”Yes. You were here before, soon after I was brought here,” was the answer.
”Oh, Estelle! don't you know us!” cried Ruth, in horror.
”Whom are you calling Estelle?”
”Why, you. That is your name.”