Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-06-04
CHAPTER XII.
THE REWARD OF THE WICKED.

Rev. Mr.. Knowles was nothing if not
hospitable. When this unlimited COM
pany invaded his humble but COM
Portable dwelling he hustled about with
genuine anxiety for their entertainment.
Dear me! dear mel'' he kept saying,
softly, 81 have seen nothing like this
since the donation parties in good old
Podunk. I'm sure you're all quite well
come. I've been out with the two ladies
looking for you, but we failed to find
you. However, we encountered young
man called Jimmy, who is connected
with the press, and he told mo to return
home and wait for you. Now do hope
that all this quarreling is over, and that
you, sir"--pointing to Drane-"haved de-
cided to be man."
''Such is my present Intention" said
Drane. II am getting little tired of
being lunatic."
You seem to have suffered some vio-
lence since you were here BEFORE" con-
tinued Mr.. Knowles. 81 trust that you
are not seriously hurt. 1t often hap
pens that harsh experiences of this
kind are wholesome, and necessary to
bring us to proper state of mind. In
decd, they always are, if we could only
see it,"
Meanwhile the other members of the
party were looking askance at each
other. johnson was beginning to real
ize that the newcomers were the Kan
sas City relief expedition, and that his
own usefulness and opportunities were
nearly over. He was meditating a quiet
and inoffensive exit when he CHANGED
to catch Nellie's eye, and it riveted
him to the spot She was looking at
him with a real tenderness of express
sion, and certain admiration, too. In
deed, johnson in Drane's clothes was
worth looking at. He had an intelli-
gent and not uncomely visage, which
had been much improved of late by the
effects of more food and less drink. And
Nellie looked at him, thinking of the
words which had joined their hands;
and she grew quite pale, but not with
fear or regret.
Bessie was pale, too, for she felt a
very painful interest in the scene. She
knew that the strange mon must include
those who had known Drane in the West,
and she took johnson to be a distin-
guished representative of the family,
whose words would be full explana-
ton Of Drane's mental condition. She
tried to attract his attention; to call
him to her side, and ask him whether
it was true that his unfortunate kins-
man was unbalanced.
Mr.. Sanford Drane, the genuine, was
the first to break the silence which had
fallen upon the party.
81 beg your pardon" said he to Rev.
Mr.. Knowles, ''but l really do not see
why we have all invaded your house.
Has this unhappy young man" point
ing to Lawrence-"had any dealings
with you during his recent wanderings?
1 should tell you that am his uncle,
and that have come to take him home
with me, whore l trust that rest and
medical treatment will restore him to
the full command of his faculties"
"And Is he, then, deranged?" asked
Mr.. Knowles. "Ahl that explains much
which had been dark to me. fear that
l have done serious wrong. / should
have made more careful inquiries be-
fore married him to this young lady"
'Married2" cried Uncle Sanford,
aghast. "Oh, Lawrence, did not think
your wretched fate would have led you
to this"
"My very dear, but deplorably mud
died uncle" said Lawrence, 'do not dis
tress yourself unnecessarily. L am not