St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-15
CHAPTER XIII,
MAS IT An ACCIDENT?

Colonel Morton was In his private office
when DR.. Ellerton burst In, and, with On ex-
element Of manner, that was entirely foreign
to him, cried out:
"WelI, the operation is over, and the man
will live!"
Although expecting news and hoping for
tho best, Morton sprang to his feet, and
asked:
care you sure?
II am certain. Just came from the room.
The doctors won't let the young fellow talk
much, but he nodded to me with O CHEEKY
recognition, and, except that he Is suffering
from shock, he looks all right; and let me
say, am id glad Of It! It would have
increased our complications had he died on
our hands,"
Ellerton threw himself into chair, for
there is nothing so exhausting as idle, anxious
waiting, and was in the act of lighting cigar
when the call bell from the tower began to
jingle at @ furious rate.
"Wait In the library for me, I shall be down
presently" said Morton. He waited till FL
lerton had left the private office, then he
locked the door, and with the activity of a
much younger man, bounded up to the tele-
graph room.
He found Fred, the operator, bending over
the key board and TRANSMITTING the clicking
into writing.
"What is 1t, Fred?" demanded the colonel.
The young man nodded to indicate that he
heard, and went on with his writing. After
few minutes, no changed the switch, and
said as he handed the colonel the paper:
"Mr. French, sir, is at the other end, and
is waiting for you. Here is what he says"
The colonel seized the paper and read
cloud
"Judge Davidson has started for Buena
Vista. Before he left he communicated with
Commodore West in New York, explaining
that his nephew had met with an accident.
He replied that he would start for California
on the next train, and to telegraph him the
young mans condition, Chicago, Omaha,
Cheyenne and Ogden, and to have some one
to meet him at the Palace Hotel, when he
arrives"
Colonel Morton shot out an oath, tore the
paper into fragments and Kissed, as he
dashed them on the floor:
Davidson is an Internal ass! Why the
blazes couldn't he wait, as told him to, till
he had definite news? The young man is
out Of danger, and will be all right in week
or ten daysl'
Fred did not attempt reply. He knew
that none was expected. This experience
was not new. It was not the first time he
had seen his master act the maniac over news
from the outside world that did not please
him. When Morton had Gained down some
what, he asked quietly:
'What shall I say, sir? Mr.. French is at the
other end of the liner"
''Say all right and tell him to wait"
Morton sat down at the other side of the
table from the operator, and began to write
hurriedly, reading each scrap aloud, as he
handed it to the operator. The first was:
els there any more news from Albert
Howard?"
''No, he seems to have vanished from off
the face of the earth. Is this man Lord
Pelham still with you?' was the response
of French in San Francisco
pelham is still here. What is the pros
pect from the combination?" asked Morton
through the same agency
"Goodl Have reports from New York.
Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and points
fSouth. All danger of failure seems past,
Our agents are ready to flood the markets,
and all have taken the precaution to have
their lines Of retreat ready, and will be
able not only to burn the bridges behind
them, but to leave no trace of the central
power that controlled the deal. The bonds
have been shown in a casual way to ex-
perts and there is not suspicion as to
their character. Can't you come on here
for few days; you are much needed?"
eyes; shall wait for Davidson. He will
be here tonight. Look for me in the morn
ing. Is there anything more?'
Nothing at present, colonel; if anything
demanding your attention comes up, will let
you know. Good bye"