Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-11-12
CHAPTER XX.

Everything connected with Mana Sa
hib's rtIby was uncanny.
A fu week passed before my mind
freed ittelf Of the effect of that subtle,
noxiouJ drug which came within hail
Of robt ing me Of life. When / became
mentally my own master, attempted
10 leayJ my bed and found could not
stand. My lower limbs We're paralyzed
| wond'lred whether it was permanent
wollld have summoned my physi'
clan frClm New York but for the con
viction hat he could give me no help.
The nature Of the drug must DO un'
known 10 any medical man in this coun-
try. Obly the fabricator or discoverer
of the thing could neutralize its effects,
and whJaver that man was he was not
in Amdrica unless it was Darius Z.
Howard So decided 10 wait
Mean while | received the best OF
nursingl ! was visited continually by
the Bridges with whom | had engaged
qI artersI and she and her husband were
as anxio hs TO help mo along the road
of recoIery as were the couple with
whom was forced 10 stay.
They procured such articles as need
cd and handled mo with the utmost
kindness and care. | had long been
forgiven for the little deception practic-
ed to obtain admission TO the upper
floor, fot l convinced them that the
handsome man and beautiful woman
who toolk up their quarters with them
were evil persons who were engaged In
unlawfu practices. Indeed Mrs. Bridges
reproachkd kd herself for having given
them SHELTER so long without being
more aIticular in her inquiries
At the end of three or four days q
most thr Hing discovery came to me
strength was returning to my frame.
In littlb while | would be fully my
self again
More than once | was OH the point OF
sending Word TO my wife and bringing
her to n " bedside, as she would have
hastened TO come the moment she knew
Of my extremity.
But wherefore? She could do no more
for me han was being done by my
faithful attendants. My wife has long
urged me to give up my perilous yoca.
ton for PINE pursuit of less danger. II
/ should tell her all, as l would be
Obliged tb do, she would allow me nc
rest until|the change was made. l was
not ready Ito make it and doubt whether
it ever will be made
If the Iime should come when be-
lieved dIath impended, | could sum-
mon her ih few hours | would wait
until the necessity arose, which, thank
heaven, nEver came.
1t was d a source Of never ending an
noyance tb me that when on the verge
of solving the mystery of the great ruby
the door ' as closed in my face. Had
been able TO master myself when totter-
ing across the floor until the window
was raised believe Mrs. Howard would
have impaired the momentous secret.
But my collapse robbed me forever OF
that chant e.
My strebgth steadily increased until
the mornil| " came, when carefully rose
from the bid and found could stand on
my feet abj don my clothing. Twas
still weak, but was making good prog.
reSs
Through the open door Of my room !
could see the one leading to that apart
ment which b had proved SO well nigh IA
tai to ma The conviction had long been
with me that if / entered that once
more wohld find something to help
me in my kroping for light.
80. whell all was quiet down STAIRS
and 10 onb could know was astir.
walked nr certainly across the hall,
turned the knob and stepped across the
threshold.
As did $50 I caught that same odor
faint, almost imporceptible to ordi-
nary sensesl but in my delicate condi-
ton 1t almost overcame me again. 1t
was so abt|orrent, so noxious. so hate
full, that had I not instantly stepped
back and blosed the door l must have
suocumbed|a |as before Ny system 20 re.