The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-09-19
CHAPTER VI -lcontiuucdl
BERTHA NJ. CLAY.

" ANllF'hh ~
i'll a flannel dressing gown, was
crGuchiug over the fire. OF the maj
whom we have frequently introduced
under that name there was little that
was recognizable. His hair had
grown white as SNOW. his cheeks We're
pinched and hollow. his lips hloOdlesS
his complexion lc~aGen-hued. there
were dark rims beneath the dull, sunk.
en- eyes. and there was an air Of inter
prostration about the figure.
Luke AbcrSlIaw was seated M the
table writing, but now and again he
cast furtive chances in the direction
of the sick man.
Presently he arose. and stirred the
fire, and put some Goals upon it.
rs there anything | can get or do
for You, sir" he inquired.
NO, thank you. Luke. But leave
your writing for a time and come and
sit down beside me; l have something
Important 10 say 70 YOU was the an
Swcr
Luke did aS he WaS bid. and then
Mr.. Medlicott went on:
.! shall ncvcr get over this illness
"Oh, sir
mo, Luke, ] can feet it. | know my
days are numbered-thrt . am not
long Tor this world"
His voice %quiycred rs nc spoke. and
he finished the sentence with 4 sob
which he tried hard to suppress.
Before il is too late" he resumed.
ere Luke could utter another word.
Il wish to mark my gratitude to You.
We have known each other but Il very
short time. Luke. but it has been long
enough for me to learn your worth.
You have given ma the devotion of Il
son. and know you in every respect
a most worthy young man. | have no
son no child ne relative who has any
positive claim upon me. for my nephew
is well provided for. You have known
the bitter want OF money. and will.
therefore. prize it when You possess it.
Luke after certain sums which |
shall leave 10 charities arh a small
annuity to Rosamond, intend 10
make YOU my heir"
\ crimson flush leaped into the sec
retary'S face. but by an effort he sup
pressed his emotion. and exclaimed:
ooh, Mr. MedIicott. You must not do
this. indeed yCu must not. what would
the world say? that | had taken advan-
tagc of my position"
Il AhNN WV Y llitil tlltN Slltil
no thrnK So" interrupted the sick
man. vchemently. Now. write off to
Mr.. Grey, my managing clerk. to he
here by IL O'Clock tomorrow morning.
i feel l have no time to lose
Witt many expressions of depreca-
ton and of his belief hat he greatly
exaggerated his condition. Like Aber-
shaw sat down and wrote the Ie ter
with - hnnl he .NnplI .a,l.,
enough 20 form the characters.
Luke" said Mr.. Medlicort, when he
had read and approved the eJistle.
"What does the doctor say about ne
now, don't deceive re. | can bear TO
hear the worst-a man with n clear
conscience should not fear death"
"A man with a clear conscience
should not fear DEATH repeated the
secretary, with a strange look and Il
married. emphasis. You have a clear
conscience. sir?"
AS clear as most men, Luke" al
swered Mr.. Medlicott. not noticing the
Popularity of his tone
"To a man who has robbed another
of his birthright ii must be a terrible
thing to die"
1T mus Luke: it must"
From under his heavy brows the.
secretary east a strange inquiring look
upon the white face that was staring
into the fire.
| have been hard in my life
upon any but the evil-doer and the
e~vil-doer," purSuer Mr.. Medlicott.
half speaking to himself.
Lukc's face dark med.
should they not be left to q higher
power than ours" he said.
Mr.. Medlicott did not seem to hear
the last question. for he said. abruptly.
Luke, do you know that within the
last few days Il horrible thought. a
horrible idea has come into my head
i dOn't know how. or why. and grasp
Ing the other $ hand and sinking his
voice to a whisper. he added, lit is
that II am being slowly poisoned.S
Half prepared as he was for what
was coming, the secretary's face
blanched, and ais hand quivered under
the clasp.
What could have suggested such
an ideay" he faltered.
MANY things" Mr.. Medlicott went
on, in the same nervous whisper, and
looking furtively round as though he
feared TO he overheard. Il know the
doctor uoes not understand my mala-
dy. have watched his face. noted
his looks: l have observed yours"
But who could be guilty of such
diaboliCal w~ickedness? Who is there
you could possibly suspect"
Mr.. Medlicott released his hold and
turned his face toward the fire. and
seemed to struggle with his thoughts
for a moment.
God forgive me-. if | suspect wrong
ly." he went on presently. but | have
stood between her and her love, and
such things have been before"
Good heavens! You can't mean
Hush, don't speak the name. But
don't let her bring me food anv more