Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-08-17

ston OF a week ago and the tired, distrac-
ed individual of to-day. | accepted a
cigar, in self-dcfense, and Il chair.
well. my friend, you've seen Deme-
trius?"
"Yes."
Hes not quite the coward you
thought, Ell? told you-didn't 10
that l was coward myself, and 1 can
recognize the symptoms in Others,
Demetrius does not know the meaning
Of the word fear"
THAT remains to be proved"
Just so. Will you give him the
chance, and take my people to Europe?
Place as many miles between this devil
and Mark as you can. should think
you'd jump at such an opportunity"
You are very generous, SIR"
"Of course am. like you, Hugo. /
recognize in you the qualities which
lack myself-strength, courage, infexi-
bility. So it's settled, eh?"
I'm at your service, Mr.. Gerard"
And can use you 10 the best of ad-
vantage. like to use men. And nav
them handsomely. There is Demetrius."
He must have grown rich in your
service; and yet"
Speak out. And yet-what?"
"He has brains" said, land he might
have aspired to be something more than
your mere servant"
HE aspired, once, to be my partner.
Lucky for him that l chose another
man."
l waited, and the explanation came,
between puffs of smoke:
II educated Demetrius to assist me in
my business. l was not 80 when
found him running barefoot in New
York; but l recognized at once in him
those qualities and faculties which,
properly trained, bring man to the
front. But Demetrius proved too smart,
much to my disappointment, and had
to show him his place. We were at
Black Gulch then; and was engaged in
the most extensive mining operations.
Demetrius was my right bower, but he
continually overstepped instructions.
He thought he knew it all-eh? Well,
l had to have partner; man whom l
could talk to and control; conserva-
tive man, who would furnish the motive
power, the running here and there, and
let me do the planning in peace. Such
4 fellow was right to my hand-poor
Ferdinand Perkins. 1t must have been
heavy disappointment to Demetrius,
but he stood it like a Trojan. Then came
the murder of Perkins, and what fol-
lowed. Demetrius himself applied for
his present post, which he has kept. AS
you say, he's rich man. He has no
kick coming"
glanced at my watch and rose.
II sit with Burlington tonight, Mr..
Gerard"
Eyes, yes" lie WINGED at the mans
name. II don't envy you. Well, I'll
go to bed. Tomorrow shall spend
with Mark"
His softened tones as he finished the
sentence provoked the exclamation:
you're a devoted father, Mr.. Gerard"
He sighed.
II live again, Hugo, in the person of
my child. I've had hard life-penty
of shadow, lad. and little sunshine. I've
peeped into most things and found them
hollow. Even my love for Mark. as you
know, has been my greatest JOY and my
greatest misery. Good night"
pitied him profoundly as walked
| upstairs. Community of suffering, ac-
cording to George Eliot, is the root of
pity; and, smarting beneath the knowl-
edge that Nancy could never be mine,
realizing that life without her would
prove saltless and sterile, l could put
| myself in the place of Mark Gerard and
say with him, all is vanity.
What a paradox the man was! What
bundle of contrast! He possessed in
many material respects 4 mind of the
largest scope-and also of the smallest
"a mind at once of the finest and
| coarsest texture. His financial combin-
ations had gained him an international
| reputation. He was known as one of
the pluchiest bulls in the stock ring.
He had the tenderest affection for his
son. But knew him to be sensualist
and poltroon. Perhaps he had the
moral equipment which in these latter
! days proves the shield of success, the
aegis against which the sings and ar
rows of a debauched and INSCRIPTIONS
press rattle in vain.
| The professional nurse assured me
that the patient had rested easily and
had taken surprising amount of nour-
ishment. The slight symptoms of fever
had passed away, and the application of
| the liniments caused less pain. lie lay
upon his back, eyes and mouth closed,
senseless, apparently, to the outer
world. | received careful instructions
| as to diet and massage, and then the
nurse left me.
The room was the one usually occu-
pied by Demetrius. 1t had two doors
and window. One door communicated
| with the passage, and the other with
Marks bedroom, now vacant. Here, the
nurse told me, | should find coffee and
| light refreshments. A drawn portiere
hung between the rooms, but the door
was open, and lamp burned brightly
upon Marks table, furnishing sufficient
light for the room beyond, where Bur-
lington lay. The nurse warned me to
leave this lamp where it was: too much
light. he said, was bad for his patient.
/ took my seat by the head of the
bed, with my back to the portiere and
facing the window. The lower sash was
up. and could see and hear the ocean.
mention these details as briefly as pos
sible, but they are important, as the
sequel will prove.
For an hour at least watched Bur-
lington's impassive features. am no
Thysiognomist, but, unless my eNperi-
l