Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-04-22
CHAPTER Y.-CoxrINrlrn

Mark Gerard passed as her father.
Ills iohg absences from nome were ac-
copied by Miss Nancy, without COM
ment' as commonplace facts, connected
so she supposed-with business
affairs. OF his standing in San Francis
eoshewasentirely ignorant. The girl had
been educated in the east and abroad.
she read no newspapers. She asked no
ndlscreet questions. Custom had afro
phied curiosity.
"of course" said, alphabetically,
"he is very busy man.
lie 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 ! munchcd away, the Two
faces almost within touch of my hand
challenged attention. The likeness be-
tween father and daughter grew start
lng-So startling, indeed, that gulpctl
down a 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 apprehensions, poor devil, must have
run riot.
There is thunder in the air" said
Miss Nancy, raising her heavy lids.
"Thunder?" I repeated, incredulous-
~.
"And lightning. Well, it will clear the
atmosphere. The barometer has been
al set fair long enough"
Her perspicacity COMPOUNDED me.
With men of all sorts and conditions !
was familiar; with women | had come
but seldom in contact.
"Yes. we are smarter than you think
she said, divining my thoughts. "By-
1he-bye, why do you dislike Demet-
rius?"
"Your mother says he is a pagan"
$50 was Marcus Aurelius. Mr.. Liv-
ingston, why can't you talk to me
frankly? Forget that l am girl"
She spoke gravely-with emphasis,
without excitement. A man, re-
Elected, might do well to pick up the
gauntlet she had thrown down. a
friendly contest of wits was just the
tonic | needed; but Mark Gerard had
nv word, and my tongue was tied.
"Demctrins. Miss Nancy, is Greek,
with a Greeks subtlety and cunning.
Unless | am very much mistaken, he
bos 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 justiiies the
means. That is why I call him pagan"
"Yes." she said, thoughtfully, you
are right. Hush!"
She moved swiftly across the room,
onencd the door, glanced kcenly to
r;gbt and left. and returned to her chair.
~ thought" she whispered, that
hoard n noise outside. / was mis-
taken"
"Your nerves are
an excellent order, thank you. Mr..
I;y;noston-" her voice betrayed Tor
the first time exicitement-"lcok! He
is coming TO-"
snrang to my feet, and together we
onnroached the bed and bent inquiring-
~ over the patient. His cyellds twitched
~ and then opened. The
nan was conscious. AT the same mo-
ment my ear caught the sound OF a dis
t;nct creak in the passage. My eyes
sought Miss Nancy's. :,
"Tbat was What ] heard just now
.ho murmured. "It's nothing; all these
wooden houses creak.
burlington monopolized our attention,
- No more was said. The doctor had
Iaft instructions, which were followed
70 the letter. Miss Nancy supported the
.,,,, mans head, while !, with a tea
snoon fed him slowly with prepared
I,ouiJlon. Burlington swallowed the
10th with difficulty, and made no at
ten,nt to speak. lie was not vIolen''
and anparently was not in pam. we
a '.aite %lr patiently for his first words.
",vhere am II" he stammered' when
no broth was consumed ana MS nedo
once more upon the pillow
0n with friends" answered.
.Tr;ends?" His voice was slnguiariy
strong and harsh. II have no irienus,
,1, I remember; the cave, yes-and
the boy ors and grooned
deeply. ,ou know me. I
.,,Dn. Hugo Livingston. Let me en- 4
.l.aat you to keep perfectly quiet. Don
're cav and don't talk. l can give you
NOV ,',,,odermic injection; but you are
!, = ~ without it. The doctor VIII be
oee.e, to.morrow morning early :,
her re nodded and closed his eyes, VI
he t,,rtber talking between Nancy