"Some one must tell her," murmured Minnie Webb, who had been attracted to the crowd, though she was not much of a golf enthusiast."Poor Viola! Some one must tell her.""I will," offered Bartlett, and he made his way through a living lane that opened for him.Then it closed again, hiding the body from sight.Some one placed a sweater over the face that had been so ruddy, and was now so pale.
Captain Poland, still supporting Viola on his arm, saw Bartlett approaching.Somehow he surmised what his fellow clubman was going to say.
"Oh, Harry!" exclaimed Viola, impulsively holding out her hands to him."Is he all right? Is he better?""I am sorry," began Harry, and then she seemed to sense what he was going to add.
"He isn't - Oh, don't tell me he is - "
"The doctor says he is dead, Viola," answered Bartlett gently."He passed away without pain or suffering.It must have been heart disease."But Viola Carwell never heard the last words, for she really fainted this time, and Captain Poland laid her gently down on the soft, green grass.
"Better get the doctor for her," he advised Bartlett."She'll need him, if her father doesn't." As Harry Bartlett turned aside, waving back the curiosity seekers that were already leaving the former scene of excitement for the latest, LeGrand Blossom came up.He seemed very cool and not at all excited, considering what had happened.
"I will look after Miss Carwell," he said.
"Perhaps you had better see to Mr.Carwell - Mr.Carwell's remains, Blossom," suggested Captain Poland."Miss Carwell will be herself very soon.She has only fainted.Her father is dead.
"Dead? Are you sure?" asked LeGrand Blossom, and his manner seemed a trifle more naturally excited.
"Dr.Baird says so.You'd better go to him.He may want to asksome questions, and you were more closely associated with Carwell than any of the rest of us.""Very well, I'll look after the body," said the secretary."Did the doctor say what killed him?""No.That will be gone into later, I dare say.Probably heart disease; though I never knew he had it," said Bartlett.
"Nor I," added Blossom."I'd be more inclined to suspect apoplexy.But are you sure Miss Carwell will be all right?""Yes," answered Captain Poland, who had raised her head after sprinkling in her face some water a caddy brought in his cap."She is reviving."Dr.Baird came up just then and gave her some aromatic spirits of ammonia.
Viola opened her eyes.There was no comprehension in them, and she looked about in wonder.Then, as her benumbed brain again took up its work, she exclaimed:
"Oh, it isn't true!It can't be true!Tell me it isn't!""I am sorry, but it seems to be but too true," said Captain Poland gently."Did he ever speak of trouble with his heart, Viola ?""Never, Gerry.He was always so well and strong.""You had better come to the clubhouse," suggested Bartlett, and she went with them both.
A little later the body of Horace Carwell was carried to the "nineteenth hole" - that place where all games are played over again in detail as the contestants put away their clubs.
