Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-01-07
CARRIST0N'S GIFT.
The Story of an Occult and Mys-
terious Power.
The Danger to Which Its Possessor Was
Subject. and How II Was Used TO
Discover tho Lost-Evil Maehi-
nations Thwarted.
PART I.-CoNrINrrn.


"Cdlled Back" etc.
PART I.-CONTINUEp.
Whether the fellow was right or mis-
taken, this explanation Of Madeline's
disappearance seemed to give me what
can only compare to smack in the
face, stared at the speaker in speech
less astonishment. II the tale he told
so glibly and crcumstantially was true,
farewell, so far as | was concerned, to
belief in the love or purity Of women.
Madeline Rowan, that creature Of a
poets dream, on the eve of her mar
riage with Charles Carriston, to fly.
whether wed or unwed mattered little,
with another mani And yet she was
but woman Carriston or Carr, as
she only knew him was in her eyes
poor. The companion of her fight
might have won her with gold. Such
things have been. Still
My rapid and wrongful meditations
were cut short in an unexpected way.
Suddenly | saw Mr.. Sharpe dragged
IDLY out of his chair and flung against
the wall, while Carriston, standing over
him. thrashed the man vigorously with
his own ash stick a convenient weap-
on. so convenient that felt Mr. Sharpe
could not have selected stick more
appropriate for his own ohastisement
SO Carriston seemed TO think, for he
laid on cheerfully some eight or ten
good cutting strokes
Nevertheless, being respectable
doctor and man Of peace, was COM
PEELED to interfere held Carriston'
arm while Mr. Sharpe struggled to bis
feet, and after collecting his hat and
pocket-book, stood glaring yengefully
at his assailant, and rubbing the while
such of the weals on his back as he
could reach. Annoyed as felt at the
unprofesslonal fracas, could scarcely
help laughing at the mans appearance.
! doubt the possibility of any one look
ing heroic after such a thra.hing.
I'm have the law for this, y he
growled. Il amt paid to be beaten
by mailman
YOU'RE paid to do my work. not
another's, said Carriston Go to
the man who has over brlbed you and
sent you to tell me your lies Go to
him; tell him that once more he has
failed Out of my sight
As Carriston showed signs of recon-
raencing hostile operations, the man
fed as far as the doorway. There, be-
ing in comparative safety, he turned
with malignant look.
You'll smart for this" he said;
"when they lock you up as y raving
lunatic, I'll try and get a post as
keeper"
| was glad to see that Carriston paid
no attention 10 this parting shaft He
turned his back scornfully, and the fel-
low left the room and the house.
"Now, are you convlncedPn asked
Carriston, turning to me-
e" Convinced Of what9 That his tale
Is untrue, or that he has been misled, |
am quite certain.
"Tush That is not worth con-
sideration. Don't you see that Ralph
has done all this? / set that man to
watch him; he found out the espionage;
suborned my agent--or your agent,
should say; sent him here with
trumpedup tale. Oh yes: | was to
believe that Madeline had deserted me
that was to drive me out of my
senses. My cousin is fool. after all
"Without further proof | can not be-
lieve that your suspicious are correct"
| said but | must own | spoke with
some hesitation.
proof A clever man like you ought
to see ample proof in the fact Of that
wretch having twice called me a mad
man. have seen him but once before
you know If then l gave him any
grounds for making such an assertion. /
Tell me, from whom could he have |
learnt the word except from Ralph Car |
l was bound. Il only TO save my own
reputation for sagacity. to confess that
the point noted by Carriston had raised |
certain doubts in my mind. But if |
Ralph Carriston really was trying by 4
some finely wrought scheme 10 bring /
about what he desired. there was all the /
more reason for g.eat caution 70 be ex-
erciscd.
Il am sorry you beat the fellow" | 1
ala rnr4U ~
left that you are not in your senses"
''Of course he will What do cares"
''Only remember this IL Is easier
10 get put in an asylum than to get ont
Of i.
1T is not 50 very easy for a sane
man Ike myself to Be put in. especially
when be- Is on bis guard have looked
up the law There must be a certificate
signed BY two doctors. surgeons. or. ]
believe. apoihecares win do. VINO have
scen the supposed lunafic alone and to-
zeiher. I'll take very good eare speak
10 DO doctor save yourself and Keep out
d The way Of surgeons and apOthe-
5ar.cs"
j quite cheered me 10 hear him
1peakIng 50 sensiblv and colllciedly
lboui himself bA ! again impressed
1pon him the need Of great caution.
Although I could not believe that bis
,onsin bad taken Madeline away,
ras. after he affair with The spy. IN
lined to think that rs Carrision
|Ferred. be aimed az getting him. sane
r. frenrn .nfn mad hnr1n