Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-03-31
CHAPTER HOODWINKED.

CHAPTER V.-CoNTNUED.
Mark Gerard passed as her father
His long absences from home were ac-
cepted by Miss Nancy, without COM
ment, as commonplace facts, connected
so she supposed-with business
affairs. Of his standing in San Francis
coshewas entirely ignorant. The girl had
been educated in the east and abroad.
She read no newspapers. She asked no
indiscreet questions. Custom had afro
phied curiosity.
"Of course" I said, alphabetically,
che is very busy man.
HE must be-" she returned.
Then she leaned back and closed her
eyes. A mastiff feeding is not an
aesthetic sight; and confess that was
hungry. AS I munched away, the two
faces almost within touch of my hand
challenged attention. The likeness be-
tween father and daughter grew start
ling-so startling, indeed, that I gulped
down glass of wine to quiet my brist-
ling sensibilities. No wonder Mark
Gerard had sent her abroad and to the
east. With that face confronting him.
his approximations, poor devil, must have
run riot.
-.Ehere is thunder in the air. said
Miss Nancy, raising her heavy lids.
Thunder" / repeated, incredulous-
ly.
~And lightning. Well, it will clear the
atmosphere. The barometer has been
at set fair long enough
Her perspicacity COMPOUNDED me.
With men of all sorts and conditions I
was familiar: with women 1 had come
but seldom in contact.
Yes, we are smarter than you think
she said, diHining my thoughts. "By-
the-bye, why do you dislike Demet-
rius?''
Your mother says he is pagan"
$50 was Marcus Aurelus. Mr.. Liv-
ingston, why can't you talk to me
frankly? Forget that am girl
She spoke gravely--with emphasis,
without excitement. man. ! re-
fiected. might do we'll to pick up the
gauntlet she had thrown down. A
friendly contest of wits was just the
tonic / needed: but Mark Gerard had
my word. and my tongue was tied.
-'Demetrius, Miss Nancy, is Greek,
with a Greeks subtlety and cunning.
Unless l am very much mistaken, he
has served Mr. Gerard. faithfully, I'll
admit. because it was to his interest to
do so. He believes in the doctrine OF
.expediency. that the end justifies the
means. That is why call him pagan
YES" she said. thoughtfully. you
are right. Hush."
She moved swiftly across the room,
opened the door. glanced keenly to
right and left. and returned to her chair.
81 thought she whispered, that
1 heard a noise outside. 1 was mis-
4aken.''
Your nerves are"
I'm excellent order. thank you. Mr..
Livingston" her voice betrayed for
the first time exicitement-"look! He
is coming to-"
L sprang to my feet, and together we
approached the bed and bent inquiring-
ly over the patient. His eyelids twitched
convulsively. and then opened. The
man was conscious. At the same mo-
ment my ear caught the sound of dis
tinct creak in the passage. My eyes
sought Miss Nancy's.
THAT was what 1 heard just now"
she murmured. Its nothing: all these
wooden houses creak."
Burlington monopolized our attention,
and no more was said. The doctor had
tcfS 1uSJructiOnSs WHICH were 1OilOWeQ
. TO the letter. Miss Nancy supported the
sick mans head. while ], with tea
spoon, 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
once more upon the pillow.
with friends" I answered.
Friends" His voice was singularly
strong and harsh. 81 have no friends.
Ha. I remember: the cave. yes-and
the boy"
He attempted to move. and groaned
: deeply.
MIR. Burlington. you know me, I
think: Hugo Livingston. Let me en-
treat you to keep perfectly quiet Don't
move. and don't talk. L can give you
:: hypodermic injection; but you are
better without it. The doctor will be
here tomorrow morning early"
He nodded and closed his eyes. OF
course further talking between Nancy