Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-08-02

..But | haven't done anythingI
who love her so! Weak! Yes Mol
lie,''
"What, sir:'
"Brn>h my clothes, and bring then
| TO me-
''What are y0u going to do?" hall
alarmed at the sudden change in his
| manner.
II am going to find my wife, he
said, with touch OF his old calmness.
But, doctor, yen are i'll; just look at
Yourself"
''Rring me my clothes!''
| She went down to the wardrobe,
wondering whether or no the doctor
| were sane or not She was secretly
afraid he was not. o, how she wished
Luke were there. There WAS ring at
the bell. She went TO the door. A lad
handed her an envelope, and turned
away. 1t was another despatch from
Morris, and was as follows:
.sNot found yet. Think have clue.
Have seen him again--am sure it is he"
A hand, a white, trembling hand,
reached over her shoulder and took the
paper She gave an involuntary cry of
alarm.
..What does he mean by him p :"
Doctor Dinsmore said, unheeding her
alright, and pointing at the line stead
lily.
She drew the other paper from her
dress, and handed it to him.
He looked up, a sudden glance of hope
breaking up the stony despair in his
eyes.
ssMollie!'' he said, faint flush break
ing through the dead white of his face,
ssff Walter Hargrave is alive, and he
has seen him in New York, perhaps"
He paused, and caught his breath
shortly.
"He may have found heri' she cried,
almost as excited as he.
''What time is it?
s'Ten minutes of three"
ssAnd the ears are due at three" seiz-
ing his hat from the rack, and going to-
ward the door.
but, Doctor Dlnsmore, wait! let me
get your other coat" she called after
him, half way down the path.
81 cannot wait" he answered, with
out looking back.
She STOOD in the door, watching his
long, steady strides, and wondered if
he could be the same man that for twelve
days had been as weak and helpless, al
most as a babe, and who had scarcely
ate or slept in all that time. He would
break down, she knew he would, and
thus he would disappear as strangely as
everybody else did from Brent. And
quite overcome with other peoples
troubles. she Sat down and did that very
unusual thing for woman, relieved
her overcharged feelings by good
cry :" after which she despatched orders
for Luke to come home as once, and
shut up the house and returned to the
Bluff to await events.
,Io
not recognize him, and those who did
were so surprised and shocked at his al
tered appearance, that they could only
utter some exclamation of astonishment,
and turn and look after him as he strobe
on down the street, never once pauslng
or looking at any one he met. He had
barely time to catch the train. lie en-
tered the car, and sank into the first seat.
a deadly faintness coming over him, all
his artificial strength deserting him. He
laid his face close against the open win
dow, where the air could sweep across
it; and with Il strong effort of his will
he recalled his failing senses. If only
he had something, some stimulent. The
conductor came through the car. He
touched him on the arm.
"Dinsmore! Good heavens, man!
what ails you?'' he exclaimed, starting
back.
"I have been i'll, and l am not very
strong vet. If l only had some sort of
stimulant-do you think you could get
me anything at any of the stations?"
81 can do better than that. l have
a bottle of brandy I'm my roOm," point
ing to little compartment at one end
of the car, "Can you come? Here,
take my arm. But you're not fit to go
on, anyway" he said, looking anxious
ly in his face.
"I must go onv' he said, swallowing
the brandy hastily. 81 shall be better
now. I was late, and hurried little
too much for my strength. Now if you
will bring me strong cup OF coffee, and
a slice of bread, when you stop at any
place where it it is procurable, think l
shall be quite strong and well again. l
don't remember as | have eaten any
thing to-day"
"You are quite sure You are sane,
Dinsmore 20 the conductor asked, look
ing at him doubtfully.
40 yes, nOw," little absently, lean
ing back wearily in his seat.
Conductor DAILY went about his duties,
looking in every now and then, and al
WAYS finding him looking straight be-
fore him; strange, eXpectant look on
his face, half hope, half fear. He was
considerably puzzled, and had vague
idea that he ought to leave him at some
of the stations, and telegraph to his
friends. But he didn't---he might not
have found it so easy Il matter--ald so
Basil Dinsmore reached New York in
safety. He had not Morris's address:
he hadn't thought of that, but thought
he might get track of him by applying
| to the Chief of Police.
For the first time in nearly a fortnight
he ate a hearty breakfast. He knew, as
a physician, that if he would keep up
| and accomplish anything, he must have
strength, and he could not hope for that
| without food. Thus far, excitement
had sustained him mostly ;and he hardly
acknowledged to himself that hope had
crept into his heart, and added its
strength. He stoud on the steps of the
hotel, looking down at the hurrying,
snrging crowd, when a man on the side
walk next to him glanced up, and with
an exclamation of surprise, came quick
| ly to his side. 1t was Morris, who ear
nestly exclaimed:
sDinsmore! l am glad! You are
just in time. But" pausing and looking
in his face, "you look like dead man.
4 "Do you know-have you found-onl
I-anything-more? the doctor asked
| in short, excited gasps.
eyes, little. Come back into thu
house, and | will tell you about it,
[TO RE coNTfNUED1