The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-07-30
CHAPTER XXI.-(CoNr1NuED.)

CHAPTER XXI.-(CoNTINUED.)
So time went on, and the summer
came upon us in all its beauty. Inc
fire on the hill was kept blazing, but
we never saw ship, although a strict
lookout was kept day and night. L
was careful to keep the men well en-
ployed, knowing that work was the
best kind of medicine for them; but
they often grew weary and disheart-
ened, more or less according to their
temperaments and the nature of their
thoughts. 1t was not long before L
became as fond of Pearl as if she had
been my own child, and we had good
reason to bless her presence among
u.s. She exercised a wonderful influ-
ence among the men, and all sorts OF
pet names were given to her-Fairy
Pearl, Queen Pearl, Doctor Pearl, and
the like. But she was powerless to
keep death from us, and the first to
go was Ralph Fortyman. He sickened
and died within twenty-four hours.
1--WE shall all go, one by one" whls-
pered Tom Wren to me. What VIII
Fairy Pearl do when she is alone?"
1--WE must stand by her, Tom, till
the last"
cay, ay," he answered, "till the last;
and when I'm dead I'll watch over
her."
1t was not the first time Tom had
spoken strangely, and, indeed, his
manner had formed the subject OF
great deal of conversation between me
and my mates. To tell the truth, we
believed he had lost his wits; but if
he was mad it was a harmless mad
ness; and so long as our Pearl had
influence over him, there was nothing
to be afraid of from him. 1t was not
alone Pearl to whom he had attached
himself, and who was fond of his So
ciety. 1t was known among us that
he was in the habit of spending hours
with that man of our party who had
refused to associate with us-I refer
to Mr.. Fairley-and it was from Tom
that We continued to learn of the
mans safety. But this came to an
end before the summer departed. l
am not likely ever to forget the day
on which Tom, whispering stealthily
that he had something to say to me,
led the way into the forest.
Ralph Fortyman was the first" he
said when we were half mile in
land. II will show you the second"
l followed him for another quarter
OF mile, and we paused before rude
shelter, built up with branches of
trees.
Go in and look at him." said Tom.
I went into the shelter, and saw a
man lying with his face to the earth.
AS stopped over him, Tom whispered:
Dead, mate. Stone dead, l should
say. Number two"
1t was the man known as Mr.. Fair
ley whose face l now turned to the
light. And as l looked upon that face,
my eyes became filled with blood, and
shuddered with rage. No shadow of
pity for the dead entered my breast;
for, despite his hair and the change
that years had made, l recognized in
the dead man before me, Mr.. bruce,
the villain who had blasted my happi
ness"
Dead, eh?" questioned Tom.
Gay, the black-hearted scoundrel!"
I replied. 81 know the reason now
why he feared to meet me face to face"
had no sooner uttered the words
than l staggered as though a bullet
had struck my heart. Tom, catching
me, pulled me out of the shelter, and
gazed anXiously into my face.
What makes your lips so white?"
he inquired, in frightened whisper.
''Did he die of fever? You mustn't
be the next to go-you mustn't be
number three. Fairy Pearl loves you
better than she loves me, and you and
must be the last of all"
81 am we'll enough" managed to
utter, though how | managed to speak
the words so as to make myself I'M
derstood is a mystery, for l was al
most choking. 1T was only a spasm.
Pearl will miss you, Tom. You have
been too long away from her. Go to
her; l will follow you soon. Don't
tell the others just yet what has oc-
Cured"
Evidently proud that confidence
was established between us, Tom nod
ded and walked away, leaving me
alone with the body of my dead enemy.