The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-09-10

cken.
Your mother" said I, 'eknows that
are here?"
"a most violent assumption" she re-
ned, coolly. my mother, as you
\ here on my own responsibility"
mfr. Gerard will come tomorrow"
And you think he will be angry. I
a assure you you are mistaken. Mark
the apple of his fathers eye. He
,ks upon me as q vegetable of no con-
luence, a sort of pumpkin"
Her indifference was pathetic.
I'VE have not seen him." she muir
urel, "for more than six months. He
sy stay with Us for six hours"
Mark Gerard passed as her father.
long absences from home were ac-
pied by Miss Nancy, without COM
cnt, as commonplace facts, connected
80 she supposed-with business
fairs. OF his standing in San Francis
,she was entirely ignorant. The girl had
zen educated in the east and abroad.
ne read no newspapers. She asked no
discreet questions. Custom had afro
iied curiosity.
"Of course" said, apologetically,
ne is a very busy man.
"He must be-" she returned.
Then she leaned back and closed her
yes. A mastif feeding is not an
sthetic sight; and confess that was
ungry. AS l munchel away, the two
lces almost within touch of my hand
,allenged attention. The likeness be-
ween father and daughter grew start
ng-so startling, indeed, that gulped
own n glass Of wine to quiet my brist-
ng sensibilities. No wonder Mark
,:erard had sent her abrond and to the
ast. With that face confronting him,
H. apprehensions, poor devil, must
AVE run riot.
There il thunder in the air." said
'fiss Nancy, raising her heavy lids.
Thunder" repeated, incredulous-
y.
~And lightning. Well, It will clear the
AAmosphere. The barometer has been
Il set fair long enough"
Her perspicacity confounded me.
With men Of all sorts and conditions
sas familiar; with women had come
3ut seldom in contact.
"Yes, we nre smarter than you think"
he said, divining my thoughts. "By-
lhe-bye, why do you dislike Demet-
Your mother says he = pagan"
40 w. Marcus Aure1ius. Mr.. Liv-
ngston, why can't you talk to me
lrsnkly7 Forget that am q girl"
6he spoke grsvely-with emphasis,
excitement. A man, I re-
lectcd. might do well to pick up the
yauntlet she had thrown down. A
contest Of vita was just the
lcuic 1 needed; but Mark Gerard had
ny word, and my tongue was tied.
"Demetris. Miss Nancy, 10 a Greek,
With . Greeks subtlety and cunning.
Unle0 I an very much mistaken, he
Aas served Mr.. Gerard, faithfully, I'll
ldmit, because IL WINS to his interest to
10 %. He believes in the doctrine of
that the end justifies the
That u why call him pagan"
"Yes," she said, thoughtfully, "you
lre right. Hush!"
She moved swiftly across the room,
opened the door, glanced keenly 10
right and left, and returned to her chair.
II thought" she whispered, "that
I heard q noise ouzide. was mis-
Iaken."
"Your nerves Arc"
"In excellent order. thank you. Mr..
her voice betrayed for
Ne hrst time exicitement-'look! He
b coming TO-"
I sprang to my feet, and together we
the bed and bent inquiring-
y over the patient. His eyclids twitcbed
and then opened. The
man was conscious. Al the same mo-
nent my ear caught the sound of a dis
iinct creak in the passage. Ny eyes
Dou1ht Mis- Nancy's.
That was what heard just now"
he murmured. Its nothing; all these
wooden houses creak."
Burlington monopolized our attention,
aud NO more was said. The doctor had
left instructions, which were followed
10 the letter. Mis Nancy supported the
l6ek mans head, while ], with tea
.poon. fed him slowly with prepared
bouillon. Burlington swallowed the
broth with difficulty. and made no at
tempt TO speak. lie was not violent.
and apparently was not in pain. We
waited patiently for his first words.
~Where am II" he stammered, when
The broth was consumed and his head
Dnce more upon the pillow.
with friends," I answered.
"FrieDdsY" His voice was singulariy
Btr0ne and harsh. 81 have no friends.
BAi I remember; the cave, yes-end
~ boy
He attempted TO move, and groaned
1eeply.
~Mr. burlington, yoa know me,
Mink; Hugo Livingston. Let me en-
lrssa you 70 keep perfectly quiet. Don't
.sve, and don's talk. I can give you
; Aypo3ernic injection: but you are
besaes without Il. The doctor will be