The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-09-20
CHAPTER VI, -tcontinaed)

cr0uching over the fire. Of the nun
whom we have frequently introduced
under that name there was little that
was recognizable. His hair had
grown white as snow, his checks were
pinchcd and hollow. his lips bloodless.
his complexion lcat,cn-hued. there
were dark rims beneath the dull, sunk
ell eyes. and there was an air of utter
prOstratiOn about the figure.
Luke Abcrslnw was seated at the
table writing. but now and again he
cast furtive glunccs In the direction
Of the sick man.
Presently lie arose, and stirred the
fire. and put some Goals upon 1t.
us there anything l can get or do
for you. sir!" lie inquired.
"No, thank you, Luke. But leave
your writing for n time and come and
sit down beside me; have something
swer.
Luke did as lie was bid, and then
6Ir. Medlicott went on:
II shall never get over this Illness
ooh. sir"
no, Luke, 1 can feel 1t. know my
days are numberel-tlmt l am not
long Tor TINS world"
His voice Quivcred as he spoke, and
he finished tho sentence with a sob
which lie tried hard to suppress.
Before 1t is too late" he resumed,
ere Luke could utter another word
II wish to mark my gratitude to you
We have known each other hut very
short time. Luke, but it has been long
enough for me to learn your worth
You have given me tho devotion of Il
son. and l know YOU in every respect
most worthy young man. have no
son. no child no relative who has any
positive claim upon me. for my nephew
IL well provided for. You have known
the bitter want of money, and will.
therefore. prize 1t when you possess it.
Luke after certain sums which I
shall leave to charities and Il small
annuity to I,"samoEd. intend to
Make yon my heir
y crimson flush leapcd into the Sec
retarys face. hut by an effort he sup
p:CSscfi his emotion. and cXclaimpl:
"Oh. Nh. Metllicott! You must not do
this indeed YOU must not. what would
the verdi say? that | had taken advan-
tage Of my position
IL will take good care that they shall
not think So" interrupted the sick
man. Mc:"mcntly. "Now. write off to
Mr.. Grey. my managing clerk. to hc
here by II o'clock Tomorrow morning.
feel have no time to lose"
With many expressions Of dcprccn-
ton and of his belief that he greatly
exaggerated his condition. Luke Ahcr-
shaw sat down and wrote the letter
with Il hand lie could not steady
enough to form the characters.
Luke" said Mr.. Mcdlicott. when he
had read and approved the cpistle.
"Wiat does the doctor say about ne
nOW. don't deceive mo. | can bear 10
hear the worSt-a man with n clear
conscience should not fear death"
IN man with Il clear conscience
Should not fear DEATH" repeated the
| secretary. with a strange lnok and Il
marked emphasis. You have a clear
conscience. Sir:"
"As clear as NEST men. Luke" an
swcrrd Mr.. Mctllicott. not noticing the
pccnliarity of his tone.
80 81 man who has robbed another
of his hrtlright 1t must he n terrible
thing to die"
|
From undor his heavy brOws the
secretary cast II strange inluiring look
upon the white fnce that was staring
into the fire.
l have never been hard In my life
upon any but the cvil-lOer and the
evil-'loer." pursucr Mr.. Medlicott
half speaking to himself.
Iuke's face darkened.
"Slould tlloy not lie left to a higher
p0wcr than 0urs:" hc said.
Mr.. Me,llitOtt did not seem to lcal
the last question, for he said. abruptly
Luke. do yOn know that within the
last few days u horrible thought. a
horrible ideu Inns come into my head
don't know how. or why" and grasp
Ing the others hand and sinking his
voice to n whisper, lie added. at is
that IL am being slowly poisoned. =
Half prepared as lie was for what
was coming. the secretary's face
blancllcd, and his hand Quivered under
the clasp.
"Wl,at could have suggested such
an itlcn:" he fnltcrcd.
"Many things" Mr.. Mctllicott went
on. in the same nervous whisper, and
looking furtively round ~ though III
| feared to he overheard. ~ know TIKI
doctor does not understand my mala
dy. have watched his face. noted
his looks: have observed yours"
but who could be guilty Of s,n!
diabolical wickedness? Who Is there
you could possibly suspect?"
Mr.. Me(llicott released his hold and
turned his face toward the fire. nnd
seemed to struggle with his thoughts
for n moment.
God forgive mo. If l suspect wrong
IT," lie went OH presently, "but have
stood between her and her love, am
such things have been before"
Good heavens! you can't mean
"IIush. done speak the name. lsu
don't let her bring me food any moro
let Martha bring 1t. didn't like TIL
servants to sae me so much changed
at first. hut that feeling is gone now
II Is gone now"
Ard tho poor invalid buried his fac
in his hands while every nerve uuiy
cred convulsively With his rel,ressat
SOILS.
1t would have seemed almost ilnl,Os
sible that Luke Abcrshaw's lmllid fc:l
lures could grow wlliter than thci
usual color. but under the sick mani
words they had become nm asi,cn era!
and lie had twice to wet his pnreilat
lips before he could speak.
II AM sure YOU wrong her, sir; !
is TOO dreadful 10 think of-your owl
flesh and blood too"
No, no; she is only nm adopted
ci,;!d, thank God"
"Of COARSE, know she is not you
dausht,:-. but, as Il relative of YOU
wire's"~--
"Nonc. none: we took her out of :
workmanship don't let IFS speak an!
more about llcr-nevtf Yet INC l"dl
upon ller face again-I siiulider Mt tin
sight of IT.
.Rut If you had any such suspic
ions. ought there not to be an inyesti
gation:" persisted the secretary.
"No. no-there must be no scandal
YOU ran send her away from TIT
house. ics. yes send her away, tllcl
we shall see II 1 gtst better"
When Mr. Medlicotr tad retired Il
rest that night Luke Abersliaw i0cket
himself in the library, and. DRAWN.
All easy cl,ai II close to the fire. CAV,
himself up to meditation.
His face would have been a curious
study for a look er-On--now eAultant
now depressed. always evil; as TIL
1ickcrins light cast fantastic shadow
upon its linraI lents it resemble,
nothing so much as .stS Gentlish head
with which the monks OF old lOvcl
to adorn The outward walls Of tt,ei
churches.
At times lie broke Into muttercd di
| intnt,1 aOltjnuuv.