The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-04
The FOUNTAIN DOCTOR.

"'Wha do you see?" impatiently in
gazing expectantlydown into tne valley
from the rock apex of the ridge.
The man with the field glass ignored
all questions.
Let him alone,' answered the young
man with the tall staff. THE more
you talk to him the less likely you are
to get a look through the glass. TIL
Cannon has become a very important
man since he became the owner of the
only glass in the country"
Il see the old orchard and the stone
house." answered the young man, with
exasperating deliberation, as he stead
led his glass on the rock against which
he leaned.
I'VE can see that much ourselves"
some n replied. What we want to
know is whether Orchard Valley has
suddenly acquired inha bitants."
The young man continued his Obser-
vatiOns with the precision of an astro-
nomer. Ia below them the wild
gro with fruit trees and vines covered
the pUchei-like little valley, and in
the ente was the little hill covered
with pine trees, in the midst of which
could be seen a stone house built like
an ancient castle. The narrow gorge
on the far side of the valley was it's
only entrance, and the strange stone
castle was as far from the village,
hat lay behind the group of observers
and a mile below at the foot of the
ridge, as if it were many almost inn
paSsable miles away Looking back
over the way they had come the young
mountain climber could see, over the
long green sheet of tree-tops, the viii
lage spread out more like a panorama
ON canvas than the abode of human
beings. The muddy mountain stream
wound along the base of the ridge like
"a yellow band across the bottom of
a picture. "A long freight train moved
along the banks of the stream like al
%ungainly snake.
Il think the Old pheasant hunter was
r~omancing," aid the man of the glass,
handing it to a girl near him.
THE old castle looks as deserted as
ever" THE glass went the rounds
without result. Till Cannon was not
satisfied and he took his glass again
and entered into a long study of the
desQlate habitatiOn. He was totally
absorbed in this occupation when the
sound of distant voices him
from his reverie. He took the glass
from his eyes and looked around. His
mischievous companions had deserted
him. Returning the grass to its case,
which was suspended from his Shout
der, he took up his climbing staff and
began to pick his way down the noun
tain toward the old castle. In a few
minutes the underbrush, rocks and
trees hid the castle and valley from
view. He had reached the easy stages
of the last descent when he heard the
Barking and whining of a little dog
not far below. He hurried forward,
hut ctonro5 no1Itio11S1u y-han rho yynipl
of an angry man reached his ears. He
walked ON to the edge of a row of rocks
just before him and looked down. A
man was barring the advance of a
woman, while her little companion, the
dog, was running about them in great
distress. Tn man spoke with a strong
German accent, and the woman did not
seem to be an American.
You u away" he heard the man
say; you fly, you scape Il am
going for a DOCTOR" the woman replied
resolutely, taking a step forward while
the man still barred her path.
With sudden energy she darted
around him hut in a few PAGES he had
caught her by the arm and was hold
ing her fast.
Not SO quick. my fair lady," he
cried angrily. You have your jewels;
they are not needed to call a doctor.
You run away you escape. You shall
not"
Il took them to pay a doctor for un-
usual services. Let me go. He shall
not die in such a brutal and cruel man
ner. I Will not be stopped"
She struggled desperately but to nc
avail, as the man held her fast and
looked fiXedly into her eyes.
He dies just right, he fingers Nhe
knows why he dies. he knows what il
is to die hard" The woman sunk &c
her knees in a distress most pitiful and
terrible in it's helplesness and speech
less pain. The spectacle was too much
to be witnessed in silence.
eff amy one is needing immediate
medical attention. 7 may be able tt
give it myself said Till Cannon
STEPPING before them. eff not / snail
Toe pleased to call my preceptor. a very
excellent man and doctor under whom
i am studying"
AT the unexpected appearance of 6
witness to the scene the man 1oosenet
his hold on the woman and stood erect
He looked like a soldier just out of hi:
regiment. The woman arose with
look Of royal relief. If she was not nov
beautiful, there was evidence enough
that she had one time been amons
Those most f1attered and admired.
will you bring a skilled physician
as soon as possible to the stone house p
she asked implorfngly. "a man lies