Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-12-05

10 HuppcH w MN, uuN "Nb"h '"
wonder whether there might not he
something seriously wrong with his
health to account for all that had sur
prised me in his manner. This cxpla-
nation, which had not occurred to mo
while there was any real danger,
struck me forcibly, now that We were
safe on the gunboat, and, as soon MS
had enjoyed the luxury Of a bath after
my five days Of discomfort, strollcd
down to the lleutenants cabin to have
d look at him In the new light Of II pa
tient.
1.-THE door OF my friends cabin was
ajar as approached 1t, and when |
glanced into tho room before knocking,
i was surprised to catch sight Of En-
gineer Lashton standing by the side Of
the lieutenant's bunk.
THE fact OF fashions enmity for
my friend was SO undisputcd that Mt
| the sight Of his figure In his enemy's
cabin felt quite justified in watching
what was going on before making my
presence known, Gilby was lying
across his bunk, half undressed and
apparently fast asleep The engineer
was standing over him with u bottle OF
some black fluid in his hand While !
watched, he made five small marks
with II on the sleeping mana arm
The operation seemed such q mysteri-
GUS and inexplicable one that | watched
him till he put the cork back into TIA
bottle, without moving n step to inter-
iere with the man, but | pounced upon
him as he turned to leave the cabin,
"'What on earth have you been
doing? asked, unccrcmoniously, and
the fellow seemed rather taken back.
"'It is only practical joke, he said,
with feeble attempt to smile uncon-
cernedly
"Joke or no joke, ] demand to see
what Is in that bottle said, authori-
.a.,u4'v NV minh fnll ~ mvste-
poisons, and The engineer handed IL
over tamely.
"rhe bottle contained nothing but
ink"
"Inkr exclaimed, when the great
brain specialist reached this point in
his narrative, and Macpherson smiled
in the peculiarly quiet way he has
when he has perfectly mystitled u
nearer.
"Yes, ordinary ink he went on,
"rhe discovery naturally made me ieel
rather foolish, but not 80 much as II
would have done II had not been
convinced still that his action was In
some way a malicious one. What his
Idea could be, however, it was impos-
sible for me to divine, and ! felt so
curious about II that should have
reused my friend at once to inquire
how five black marks on his arm could
possibly affect his happiness II he mad
not looked so thoroughlyworn out and
In need Of sleep. As soon as Lashton
was gone, left the cabin at once foI
fear Of disturbing the sleeper, without
stopping even to try and remove the
ink.stains, piece Of stupidity at
which | have not ceased to wonder
You see, it was impossible for me te
puess how desperately serious the plot
was that the engineer had formed
against the man whom he considered
his rival. retired to my own CABIN
opposite Gilby's, keeping the door
open to make sure that Lashton dc
: not return to do more mischief, but
: made poor sentry. | was tired out
like the young lieutenant, through
not having had my proper amount o
rest for four nights, and ] iell asleel
still wondering about the five blacl
marks.
|, "When woke, | do not know how
long after, 1t was to find Gilby stand
inp in my room, half undressed as
i, had seen him IN his bunk, but with By
.. sbirt.sleeye buttoned up over the hi
stains on his arm. was too full 0
: sleep however, TO notice the fact a
/, the time, or even to remember Tor tn
moment anything about what ha'
. seen. Sleepy as was, ! could no
help noticing the look OF complet
misery and despair on my friend
: face. lie was Standing at the side 0
!, my bunk, holding an envelope an
! when started up, rubbing my eyes
y he put it into my hand.
: 81 am glad you are awake, Mac
pbcrson, he said, in strangely con
y strained tone i want to ask you
do me favor. viii you give this lei