Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-03-12


swell, what on earthi" muttered Mrs.
Bowen to herself, rs she took herself
away, too much accustomed to sick
room eccentricities, however, to won
der long at Neil's sudden captious-
ness.
Left alone, the sick man, his face
white and rigid In lines Of pain, turned
over impetuously, smothering groan
In the sheet he huddled about his head.
What was 1t he had been saying q mo-
ment ago?-he had got over Il? he had
ceased to care? Great heavens, what q
lie It. had been! He would never cease
to care-neverl
Half an hour later, when the doctor
came in, Il was with start scarcely dis
guiscd under professional nonchalance
that he met the strange glitter in the
patients eyes. you've been sitting up
too long, old man; or have you been
visited to death? Who's been here?"
he demanded, sitting down beside the
bed, with finger on the wrist that lay
outside the clothes.
"No; l was only bolstered up little
while; and nobody has been here ex-
cept Mrs. Bowen, though she's q host in
herself" Neil protested, with q wan
smile. Don't try to persuade me that
am having n relapse, doctor. I'm bet
ter-so much better that am thinking
of going home next week. What do you
say to that?"
II say, wait till next week." laughed
the doctor, his eyes intently studying
the face upon the pillow. Meanwhile.
I've brought you over something new,
producing bottle from his pocket and
critically eying the contents as he held
II up before him. "a tcaspoonful Cd this
every hour will help you along on this
way toward home amazingly. think"
"But Is that all you brought?' re-
turned Neil, disappointedly. ibid 1
have no mail?"
mail! One would think you were
expecting to hear from your sweet
heart, the way you cry for mail,
laughed the doctor, in good-humored
raillery, feeling in the side-pocket OF
his coat for n couple Of letters, which l,c
laid upon the bed. "You see she hasn't
written to you this time, at all events.
Those are obviously nothing but bust
ness. But, by the same token, had a
letter from u pretty girl myself to-
night; you would never guess from
whom"
But Neil had torn open the first en-
velope, his breath coming quicker, his
eyes riveted to the page which he was
holding with hand obviously trcm'
bling. II cannot read it-such n vii
famous hand the man writes!" he pet
tishly exclaimed, after an instant.
Here, doctor, see what you can make
out Of it."
"Why, It is from her lawyers-Miss
the other remarked, with
surprise, as his glance fell upon the
first line; land he doesn't write Spen-
ccrian fist, by long shot. But this
seems to be what he has to say:
"Mr. Harvey Neil. Windy Gulch. COL
Dear Sir: / am instructed by my Client
Miss Dorothy Meredith, TO confer with
you az to such terms Of compromise as
would seem to you just and fair In the
suits now pending between the Mascot anu
the Grubstake mines Miss Merediths idea
is that you should take the Grubstake
lode at n fair valuation rs part satisfac..
tIon of your claim, the balance to be settled
in cash as may he arranged. The books
of the mine having been destroyed IN the
burning OF the shafthouse. at Miss Mere
dIth's desire / have been ut pains 10 pro-
cure from the smeltcrs statement OF
all shipments OF ore and moneys PAID
therefor. the full amount OF which Tor
the year ending August Is, 1881. Is so''-
SEA 20, smeiter charges and freignts de-
Quoted. The expense OF mining is next
10 be considered, In which the wctness OF
the mine and demand for mucn ma
chinery which has been put in during the
year should be counted. AS q practical
mining man you are In q position 10
estimate these several items: while as a
business man you can figure what ad-
vantage Il may he TO you TO hold the two /
and forever quiet oil contro- |
yersy, / should be glad to have from
you the best proposition you can make
10 this end. may add that Miss Mere |
dith's attitude in the matter Is against my
best judgment and advice. my opinion be-
Ing that she must inevitably win should
Il be left 10 the courts to decide the points
In controversy. She. however, desires TO
avoid litigation II possible. and to such
md Is willing TO make reasonable conces'
sion. Trusting that may hear from you
without delay. am
VERY truly yours.
~. ]. CRILEY."
There was silence for moment Us
the doctor ceased reading, and then Neil
broke into strange laugh. $50 she
would like me to propose terms OF com-
promise, would she?" he exclaimed.
We'll, can"
~ suppose So" the doctor smilingly
agreed, gratulatory note in his voice.
but you observe that she wants you to
take the Grubstakc ut II fair valuation.
Evidently she considers it u valuable
,icce of property" And he laughed
ii at u good joke.
"Oh. shall be willing TO Take 1t, pro-
fidcd other conditions can be salts
arranged" Neil declared.
in turn.
"But we cannot have you figuring |
over this deal now, old fellow" the
loctor declared, his face growing again |
,ravc. He had long been Nei's most
friend in camp, OF late acting |
rs clerk and amanucnsis no less than
Is physician, and he considered him
'elf privileged TO advise in the one ca
.acity as well as the other. This thing
will keep. will write that You are too
lick to give any attention to business
It present, but that us soon rs you are
bile"
II want her address, DOCTOR" inter-
'uptcd Neil, eagerly, his eyes very
right. "Tcll him that prefer to mr.