The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-02-22
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The decline had fairly set in, consump-
tion had nearly done its work, and Nor
timer was becoming less regular in his
attendance at the office. Mortimer, as
people afflicted with his disease will,
INDUCED in the delusion that he would
continue for years as he was, sometimes
bright, sometimes dull, but with ami
nation enough to deceive himself that
the days still his were far from being
few. ..
"Why not send him to Denver"
unused Raymond, land Inez with him2
Before he dies he will linger there long
enough to keep Inez from interfering
with my plans.
With Raymond to think was to act.
Mortimer had failed that day to put in
an appearance at the office This was
nothing unusual, but Raymond made
it the pretext of paying morning visit
to inez and urging upon her the advis-
ability of taking her brother to the
west. II will miss him, and will miss
you, Inez, +" said Raymond.
The words were not uttered in a spir-
1t calculated to deepen Inez's impress
sions of his sentiments toward herself,
but her anxiety for her brother made
her regardless Of infection. She saw In
Raymond a benefactor. She knew him
to be practical, and an idle sentiment
from him assumed the force Of earnest
determination in her eyes. He had been
kind. He had even been tender He
had intlmated much, had declared lit
tie, and his praise OF Inez TO her broth
er, repeated with fervor impaired by
Mortimer IS own love for his sister, gave
Raymond's honeyed phrases to herself
an importance unmerited.
Raymond was making a sacrifice, to
her mind. Miss her he would. He
had said so, while she knew that her
brother must have been in some way
especially serviceable to him, or the
two would not have sought the library
80 often to discuss political and busi-
ness affairs alone. But Raymond was
really making no sacrifice. Mortimer's
deputy was rs acceptable as Mortimer
and in recent years more to be depend
ed on by virtue of the physical strength
that guaranteed his presence when de-
manded. But lnez knew little of poll
tics, and Raymond's profession of in
terest in her brothers. health more en-
nobled him. Gradually he was assum-
ing the form of her ideal.
Your sisterly care will be worth
more to him than that of less interested
nurses, continued Raymond. 1.-THE re-
ports are that Colorado air is highly re-
storative to the lungs"
"Oh, | should so much like him to
have change" acquiesced lnez
Come in now with me and let us pre-
vail upon him at once. +"
Better leave him to me, " he inter-
posed.
She had started up, and in her en-
thusiasm grasped his hand to lead him
to her brother. Raymond lifted the
! hand gallantly to his lips, then playful.
ly held her arms while reseating her,
with mock force that was not displeas-
ing.
II know the way, and you stay right
hero. can manage him better alone"
He went to Mortimer's room, in
CHEEKY voice saluted him, and after a
conversation of half an hours duration
convinced him that he ought to go to
Denver.
You'll be up again tomorrow, was
Raymond's advice, and do not exert
yourself. Husband your energies for
the journey and remain inside until all
the preparations are made"
Mortimer was SO used to obeying the
will and wishes Of this man that he
made no further objections.
What does Inez think ?" he inquired.
She's worried lest you may not 60.
Yonr physician, understand, for |
met him yesterday and talked to him
on the subject, counseled you some
time ago, but you did not follow his ad-
vice and instructions. III call upon
him on my way back and send him to
you to build you up for the trip.
Build me up There's no need of
that. I'll be all right"
He ought to SEQ you anyhow"
"Oh yes. | didn't mean he shouldn't
come, bat simply that I'm not so bad as
you think ] am. How long ought to
stay?"
Stayi" repeated Raymond. Look
here, you must agree to two things
take the advice of your physician here
until you get TO Denver, then take the
advice of the physician there You
know something about politics, nothing
about physics. Therefore, if you want
to recuperate. you mustn't try to in
struct a doctor, as you would an cleo
tion district captain.
Mortimer smiled. That smile was an
assurance he would not neglect to fol.
low the course mapped ont for him.
Raymond accepted it as such and turn
ed to 30.
I'm see you again." he remarked.
81 want to talk to Inez.
He met Inez in the hallway. She
had heard the door of the room close
and advanced to meet him, so eager was
she to know the result. He surmised
this, and gently turning her face in the
direction he was moving, by the pres
sure Of his left arm around her, he took
her right hand in his and they walked
toward the outer door.
ut Is settled, he said. "You must
make arrangements to be absent some
time. Discharge the servants, close up
the house and be as speedy as possible.
will ask the doctor TO soc Philip this
afternoon, and then he will tell you
whatever he may consider wise under
the circumstances.
He kissed her hand, and with sim
pie au revoir passed outward.
"Strange, thought Inez. "He is so
cool. But maybe he was afraid that
1t would pain me to talk of parting,
and that it was best to postpone it. F."
Her anxiety for her brother dispelled
all other thoughts at the time. She
began her preparations, and in three
days everything was arranged. Fran
els Raymond had not visited the Morti-
mer. He wrote to Inez expressing his
reg cts and telling her that very i'm
porr ant matter had nude his presence
at Albany imperative, but urged her
not to delay on that account.