Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-05-04

there, thinking, tniuhlnB uhu BaAhs
at my left hand with the scar across
the back OF 1t. Oh! the missing link
in my memory. l began to suspect
that it containd horrible episode
tina. would unseat my reason If it were
ever recalled.
/ could not quite make up my mind
to tell Alice Barlow that night of the
conversation which l had overheard.
Retiring early to my room. l was
overcome by a sense of drowsiness and
fell asleep in an easy chair. / was
awakened by hurried knocking at my
door. Flinging it open was confront
ed by Alice, who seemed clad for
Journey, while her countenance was
tho picture of womanly strength and
resolution.
Come. Mr.. Conway" she said in
low. imperative voice. "My father is
at the door with his carriage and wish
es us to go with him. Hasten, II you
would spare me calamity"
"Whither arc we to go?" l asked.
while obediently donned light over
coat and hat and followed her down
the stairs.
10 the railway station" was her
answer
"And thencep"
II do not know"
was silent until we were all three in
the carriage and speeding along the
quiet road. the wheels rumbling faint
ly. the chirp of crickets and distant
croak of frogs being the only audible
sounds.
II suppose this is an attempt to pre-
serve me from falling into the hands of
the detectives?" then asked.
Then you knowp" the doctor
quickly asked. looking intenily into my
face.
II know, from someth ing overheard,
that am under surveillance, but why
l have not the remotest idea.
Your memory is still silent, thenP'
Yes"
We'll. well, | cannot enlighten you.
except that the officers are after man
of your description. They will arrest
you if you stay here. and they may re-
fuse to accept even any assurance
that you have no recollection of the
past. Your only course is in flight
but it does not devolve upon you tc
become partner in my misfortunes,
l demonstrated.
You are my patient and l shall no
allow anything to happen to deprive
me of the glory of curing you. if cal
help it he decisively said.
We reached the station barely in tim,
for passing train which. it being al
unimportant place. had to be signalled
Alice WAS the first to ascend the ca
steps. WAITED an instant for the doc
tor. who had stopped to procure tic
kets. / saw him coming at run. ano
in pursuit followed a lank, shrewd
faced man, who shouted in voice
which was the same as that had over
heard inquiring about me that after
noon.
Hold on, doctor-I've got cas-
for you. Aud big fee!' said the dc
tective.
The train had already started. and
sprang aboard. Doctor Barlow. at tn
risk of his life, followed. The detect
i've caught at the handrail as the ca
sped past him. but hand thrust hin
back so that he missed it. and he wa
thrown with some violence upon tn
station platform. 1t was my hand tina
baked his attempt.
This was not a telegraph station. S
we were not interrupted at the large
town where we changed. Doctor Ban
low had shrewdly bought through tit
kets to point which he had not though
of making our destination, and here h
obtained others, this time for-but
does not matter where, across the Car
adn line.
For day and two nights we rode o
anI On ne that ionrnav hava NOV
only a vague recollection. for before
had ended l was again i'll. and yer
i'll. The past weeks had been fraugl
with constant struggle on my part
recall past events-a struggle the ii
tensity of VIII ch even | did not realiz'
And now the discovery that | wa
wanted for crime. and the excitemer
of our escape, not unmingled with a
undercurrent of love for the pures
strongest, most devoted of womei
with conflicting hopes and fears an
: threatened disappointment. altogeth'
made crises which / was not able
withstand. And for weeks l was
, with brain fever.
o Again in langour and weakness
awoke TO n sense of my surrounding
I Again Alice Barlow. calm. gentl
o faithful. attended my slightest want
1 What passed in my thoughts durin
| succeeding days and weeks would fill
n volume il / were to write 1t out
talked OF many things. in light, plac
> vein. Doctor Barlow told me quail
f stories and we all laughed at then
a but my strength came back very slo'
~.
J. One evening fell into n half-doz
l. from which l was awakened by som
: one coming softly into my room
: knew it was Alice. and did not OPP
u my eyes, until-softly as a snowfall
e again. kiss fell upon my forehea
a Then looked up into the dearest
:. faces bending over me. and in m
O ment held one Of her hands in mine
n the one that wore the the ring. Did
!. say she was plain lookingp All! S
a was positively beautiful then.
d MAY I remove that, AliceP" Iaske
touching the ring.