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

ON the sands with Burlington-Demet-
rius was indecently indifferent. But
when the doctor apprehended violent
symptsns and our friend thought that
he 1ieht be exposed to them, why.
then
"Hs wilted. ehf"
~Yss; the naked coward cbtruded it
self.
"Yoa don't know him. young man."
NPossibly not"
sHe 10 no coward. have known De-
metriss for 80 years-a long time. I
repeat, he is no coward"
touched up the horses with the
flick Of the whip. and the action be-
trayed me, for Gerard laughed.
Take it coolly," he said. "Young
men, nine times out of ten, misconstrue
the motives which govern human ac-
tions. Remember that have made a
study. . profitable study, Of my fellow
creaturcs"
'An the ame," said. doggedly, 'he
is q coward"
That's quite right. Stick to your
colors, my boy. BY the way. am sur
prisei that you should have taken Bur-
lington TO my house"
could not excuse myself without &C.
cusing Nancy. SO held my peace.
However" he continued, thoughtful
ly. 1--WE have the man where we can
watch him. You may yet earn that big
salary"
II expect to-" retorted, bluntly. I
was cursing myself for speaking out
SO plainly. In damning the cowardice
NJ the Greek had also, by inference,
damned the cowardice of my employer.
My tongue, us usual. had outstripped
my hlting brain. ] was still in my
salsd days and . novice in the art of
dialogue.
II suppose" said Gerard. carelessly,
shat you have fallen in love with
Nancy"
The question took me so completely
10y surprise that my stupid face flushed
scarlet. l began to realize that this
temptible. was. conver.ationnlly speak
ing. dandling me in his arms.
81 don't blame you," continued Ge-
rard, in his most matter-of-fact tones.
''She i a pretty girl and very intelli-
gent. 1t would interest me TO know
hether-er-she-"
'No; abe doesn't"
Thank you. like to be posted. No
no; don't frown. dare swear that
she will say yes. and you may live 70
wish IL had been no."
He had dropped his tone of banter and
spoke gloomily, in sour. raucous &C.
cents. This man had achieved much
that the world prizes. His keen brain
and extraordinary acumen had borne
him triumphant upon the top wave of
success. Now that he had brought his
heavily-freighted vessel into safe har-
borage, he had leisure to read the log
and estimate the wear and tear. /
watched him as he leaned back wearily
against the well-padded cushions Of
the buggy and made . small cslcula-
ton. Divide wealth, as many millions
a. you please. by health. subtract time.
aud wtat 10 left9 Answer. the man be-
si1eyaeshnggasds wlssasd, pssnAtassly
gray.
So, after all, he had seen the COM
plication Of my falling In love with
Nancy-had counted the probability a.
gain. an extra rivet 10 bind me 10 Ms
service. What . puppet had been!
"rm sorry the boy Is from bome,"
he muttered. II should have enjoyed
seeing him. Demetrius is overcautious
a fault on the right side"
He asked me innnmernble questions
about the lad, displaying his talent for
cross-examination, and with II his re-
markahle love for his son. Mrs. Gerard,
| II appeared. had been kind enough 70
| give me more credit than I deserved.
and her husband expressed his appreci-
alton Of my efforts in q Characteristic
| fashion.
"You are not giving me vnlue re-
ccived.. !. he said, brusquely, "but you've
done all I asked, and more"
wondered whether Mrs. Gerard In
her letter. had mentioned my cxcur-
sion into Cupid's domain. and answered
the question in the negative.
I'm . generous man." Gerard con-
tinued, with that curious infection In
his voice which I had remarked when he
had pressed upon me his rarest wincs;
"and my eepdau9hter-you have found
| out, OF course, that she IL my step
dauphter-wiIl be Handsomely dow
cred. I dare say shall give her pic
ture or two-that Constable perhaps
| il"
"H-" I repeated.
"If she marries the right fellow"
What. I asked myself. did he mean
That there was meaning behind every
word he spoke coukl no longer doubt.
why did be remind me Of a spider 2
Why -humiliatipg reflection - did I
Il a.