Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-12-01

CHAPTER V.

Barbara Jordan sat by the sick man
with her knitting on her lap, and her eyes
fixed on his face He was brea thing calm
E: danger was over. Barbara watched
the sleeper with undivided attention as
though trying to read the answer to a
question which puzzled her.
Barbara rose from her seat and went to
carved oak box that stood against the
wall She raised the lid and looked in.
There lay, neatly folded, the contents of
Jasper's bundle, a coarse gray and yellow
suii--a suit so peculiar in cut and color
that there was no mistaking whence it had
come, and what he was who had worn it.
Barbara found it hard to associate such
face with crime, and yet how else could
she account for that convict garb rolled.
up and strapped to his saddle, and which
she had laid in the trunk?
Prisoners escaped now and again from
the great jail on Dartmoor. This was one
of them AS she sat watching him, puz-
'zling her mind over this, his eyes opened,
and he smiled The smile was remarka-
bly, sweet.
"Where am | now? he asked.
SAT Morwell House"
He closed his eyes. His face was very
ndle, uhc uldTUic, DuL HOT Inc lIldIUlC III
this, that across it travelled changes of eX-
preston that stirred the muscles. Do
l'vhat she would, Barbara could not keep
her eyes off him. The horrible mystery
about the man, the lie given to her
thoughts of him by his face, forced her
70 observe him.
Presently he opened his eyes, and met
Hers; she recOiled as if smitten with
guilty feeling at her heart.
''You have always been with me while
was unconscious and rambling he said
earnestly.
81 have been Il great deal with you. You
have not been neglected.
He rose on his elbow, and held out his
hand
81 know that l owe my life to you,
young lady. Allow me to thank you. My
life is of no value to any but myself. l
have not hitherto regarded it much Now
] shall esteem it, as saved by you. L
thank you. May | touch your hand"
He took her fingers and put them to his
tips.
''Ths hand is firm and strong" he said
"but gentle as the wing OF dove"
She coIdly withdrew her fingers. =.
Enough of thanks she said bluntly.
'1 did but my duty"
Excuse me. Where am 1 now? And,
young lady, if you will not think it rude of
me to inquire, who are you to whom, l
owe my poor life?'
t'This, as 1 have already said, is Nor
well, and l am the daughter of the gentle
man who resides in it, Mr. lgnatlus Jor-
dan"
He fell back on the bed, a deadly gray
ness came over his face, he raised his
hands oh heaven! this is most wonder
full. Thy ways are past finding out
''What is wonderful" asked Barbara.
He did not answer but partially raised
himself again in bed.
"Where are my clothes?" he asked.
(which clothes?' inquired Barbara, and
her voice was hard, and her expression be-
came stern. She hesitated for a moment,
then went to the chest and drew forth
the suit that had been rolled up on the
pommel of the saddle; also that which he
had worn when he met with the accident.
She held one in each hand and returned to
the bed
''Which?" she asked gravely, fixing her
eyes on him.
He looked from one to the other, and his
pale face turned chalky white. Then
he said in Il low, tremulous tone, Il want
my waistcoat."
She gave it to him. He felt eagerly
about it. drew the pocketbook from the
breast pocket, opened it and fell back.
Gone he moaned, gone
The garment dropped from his fingers
upon the floor. his eyes became CLASSY
and fixed, and scarlet spots of color form
ed in his cheeks.
After this he became feverish, and toss
ed in his bed put his hand to his brow,
plucked at the bandages, asked for water,
and his pulse Quickencd.
Toward evening he seemed conscious
that his senses were slipping beyond con-
troll. He called repeatedly for the young
hdy, and Jane, who attended him then
was obliged to fetch Barbara.
He lifted himself His eyes were glow
Ing with fever: he put out his hand and
clasped her wrist; his hand was burning
His lips quivered; his face was full of a
fiery eagerness.
~ entreat you! you are so good. SO
kind! You have surprised a secret. l be-
seech you let no one else into it-no one
have suspicion of it. | am afraid what
/ may say when others are by me.
would go on my knees to you could
rise. | pray you, l pray you--' he put
his hands together, do not leave me if |
become delirio1s. 1t is a hard thing to
ask l have no claim on YOU: but l fear
would have none but you know what
say, and l may say strange things if my
mind becomes deranged with fever. Stay
by me-in pity--in mercy-for the love
of heaven
She stood by his bed. greatly moved
much stung with self-reproaeh. 1t was
cruel of her to act as she had done. to
show him that convict suit. and let him
see that she knew his yileness.
YES" she said, Il will stay by you all
night, and whatever passes your lips shall
never pass mine"
He smiled, and gave sigh of relief
How good you are! How good. Bar
bara Jordan"
He did not call her Miss. and she felt
slightly piqued. He, a convict. to speak
of har pp Sh aifspd hor xx-aypI