Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-06-16

ENTERED a YOUNG GIRL.
the young American. He raised him
self from his rough bed, and with tot
tering steps stumbled across the room
to the bedside of the unhappy man
'ESpeak out, man. he hoarsely cried
'<What have you to say about Sir Harry
Grahame?-
1t was a sickening sight-one, a
ghost of his former self, so weak that
he could with difficulty stand. even
though his thin hands nervously
clutched the side of the couch-the
other, exhausted to the very verge of
death, yet startled from prostration by
the unexpected appeal
''Who are you?" gasped the re-
cumbent figure.
zone who seeks Sir Harry Grahame-
Oh, speak quickly. or it may be too
late. What have you done with hiIn?''
But though the white lips moved, no
sound came from them, and, Arthur
Dunbar, feeling that his strength was
spent, reeled back to his couch, on
which he fell, quivering with the re-
action of an effort which had nearly
cost him his life.
Presently his little nurse and the dog
returned, the former filed with re-
morse at having left her charge for the
brief time that it took her and her four
footed friend to indulge in a scamper
through the wood in the moonlight.
Thus week passed Every day the
American gained strength and at last
was in condition to assist the girl in
her ministrations of mercy, tending the
dying man with Solicitude instigated
by the burning desire to secure his
secret as much as by human sympathy
for his affections But their efforts
seemed futile. His was life in death.
The heart beat feebly, the breath
! fingered on his lips, occasionally the
eyes opened and the lips parted as
| though he were about to speak, but be-
| You'd this he gave no signs of anima-
ton From the girl Arthur could learn
| nothing. She made him understand by
| gestures that she was to wait on him
hand and foot with the docility of a
slave and that when he was well
enough she would conduct him to a
place of safety-at least SO he under
| stood her.
One mystery to Arthur was where
the food came from that his active nurse
always had in preparation, and a still
| greater surprise was how quickly he
|
! fever had left him, for each morning he
arose with a renewed energy, which
promised soon to restore him to his
pristine vigor. But he argued with
himself if he recovered too quickly he
would be called upon to leave the spot
before he had secured the sick mans
confession This would never do, so he
feigned weakness and allowed his gen
tie attendant to minister to his wants.
His patience met with its reward at
last
One night the sick man raised himself
on his bed, as he had done once before,
and in a weak voice begged Dunbar to
come to him In a minute Arthur was
by his side, supporting the trembling
frame on his arm and bending his head
over him
''Have you strength enough to tell me
your story?" he said, gently.
Yes" came the faint reply my
brain is strangely clear and my tongue
is loosened-"
Then tell me all you can, for it is sad
to see you die with this unconfessed
guilt upon your soul"
''Then. listen All, how clearly car
think now, how easy talking seems to
me. / have heard that the last hour Cd
a mans life who is dying of SWAMP
fever is always like this-a sudden and
mysterious strength, and then
He shuddered
'-If these moments are SO precious, dS
J not waste them" Arthur urged
II Will not First, promise me tina
you will do your best to repair the mis-
chief have wrought, even at your owl
personal danger
docs it refer to the rescue of ST
Harry Grahame?s' Arthur asked.
1T does"
"Then most solemnly promise. yo1
that viii do all man can to. carr
, out your wishes
. lro EE coxTIsuEp.i