The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-08-18
A CLEW BY WIRE
Or, An Interrupted Current.
BY HOWARD NJ. Y0ST.
Copyright. 1876. BY J. 3. LiPplnoot; CO.
CHAPTER XIII.

| "A groom was sent TO Twineburgh for
1 doctor. This was contrary TO Mr..
Morley's wish. He insisted that doc
tor was not necessary, and il was only
to appease the anxiety of his daughter
that he finally consented to see a med
Icul man.
But all the daughters entreaties
could not move him to go to bed. He
lay down on the couch in the library,
and Florence sat beside him, holding
one of his hands. left them thus to-
yether and went outside.
Before left the mans voice had re-
sumed much of its usual vigor. For
one who had seemed TO be as near col
lapse as he, strength returned very rap
idly.
Notwithstanding my pity for Flor
ence, there was great pride and joy in
my heart. The sweetest girl in the
world was mine. All troubles, mys-
teries, the heart-siclness of the past
year, seemed petty and trivial beside
this thought. Mr.. Morley had given
his consent to our marriage; indeed,
il was an absolute command.
The scene under the trees came back
to me, and couldnot repress a shudder
rs 1 thought of the fathers horrible
premonitions and the overwhelming eff
| feet produced by them.
l walked about the grounds or re-
ciined on one of the many seats scat
tered around, determined to await the
loctor's arrival. My mind would con-
stantly revert TO the secret trouble
which was so evident and powerful
factor in Mr.. Morley's life; and what it
was that could so affect gentleman of
| his standing and wealth furnished me
matter for speculation. The great
motive and influence in the fathers life,
[ knew, was his love for his only child.
! Therefore il seemed that the hidden
trouble must arise from some sorrow or
| Danger which threatened Florence.
The thought caused me considerable
| uncasiness.
l had not realized how morbidly
sensitive the robbery had made me, un-
til now. All the unfathomed events and
| incidents which had occurred during
the two days had been here seemed in
| some indefinable way connected with
| the affair, or the result of it.
! The doctor arrived much sooner than
| had expected. Indeed, the idea Of
giving medical advice to great man
like Mr.. Morley was incentive strong
enough to cause q country physician to
kill his horse in the endeavor to reach
the patient as quickly as possible.
After quite time spent over Mr.. Nor
! ley, the doctor stepped out on the
porch, and, drawing on his gloves, de-
layed his departure to answer a few
! questions which Florence, who had fol-
lowed, put to him. 1t was impossible
tor the worthy physician to conceal
wholly his sense of Importance, al
though he tried to appear as though it
was by no means an unusual thing to be
found administering potions to mil
lionaires.
Florence anxiously listened to his
words of advice, and then withdrew. 1
had some hope of speaking to her, but
she only bestowed on me sad, sweet
smile, which told of her love for me
as well as her anxiety for the father,
and with that / had to be content.
AS the doctor was returning immedi-
ately to Twineburgh, proposed to ac-
company him. he expressed his pleas
ure in having companion, and 1
climbed into the carriage beside him.
] was anxious to tell Sonntag of the
murderous attack upon me. On the
way, finding the worthy doctor willing
to answer questions, was soon pos
sessed of his opinion of my lawyer and
agent. This opinion was avery high one.
Sonntag seemed to have the elements
of popularity in him. But there was
something about the old fellow did
not understand; there seemed to be a
great unknown depth TO him beyond
the mere fact that he was country
| lawyer and my agent. Nevertheless,
l felt that he was to be trusted felt
safe in his hands. My own opinion be-
ing so heartily corroborated by the doc
tor made me all the more satisfied.
But my trust and confidence in the
old lawyer soon received u shock.
When we arrived at Sonntag's Office
| sprang from the buggy, and, after
thanking the doctor, walked up to the
door. Sonntag was walking back and
forth with his hands behind him ear
ncstly couversing with some one in
side. There was also n rear door to the
lawyers office. A man was standing
near this door, and when entered the
Office he quickly stepped out; not so
quickly, however, but that | caught n
glimpse of his face. 1t was Hunter, or
Skinner, as you please.
The thought of the treachery he had
been guilty of toward her in whose pay
he was came 10 me and iEilamed me
with sudden and uncomfortable anger.
Uttering an eXpletive, under the spur
of strong impulse, made a spring for
him. Out through the door l followed
Lin, and down through the yard. He
had too much the start, however, and
was over high board fence at the bot
tom of the yard before could come up
| to him.
| retraced my steps TO the lawyers
Office. The old fellow was standing in
the door and seemed 10 have been high
! ly diverted by witnessing the chase,
! judging by his face.
The rascal! the villain!" l cN-
claimed, pushing past the lawyer into
the Office and sinking down, painting
for breath. IF ever get my hand on
! him, IN wiring his neck!"
! Sonntag closed the door and then
turned toward me. what have you