Arizona republican., 1898-03-31
(Continued From Yesterday
CHAPTER NV.

Just about noon. when the hosnitaI attendant was away at dinner, the doc tor at Buxton's and Whitaker getting nap after his night of vigil only Hop Ling was on duty over Randy. Hell probably sleep until late in the after noon, the doctor said. when he looked ln at Il, and so perhaps he might have done. Grafton, before starting, had taken the responsibility of removing Florence's ominous looking missive and placing it with other letters on the mantel in the little parlor. He could not feel Justified in hiding it entirely
 He felt that when Merriam woke the truth would have to be told him, and perhaps Fiorence's own words might best explain her flight. At all events Dr. Leavitt had promised to be on hand to see that the news was not too abruptly broken, and Leavitt counted on long sleep and upon subsequent drowsiness and languor as the result of his treatment. No one had dreamed of the possibility of such rude awakening as came. No woman in her right senses would have ventured on the mad Drained, desperate measure resorted to by Mrs. McLane. What she hoped to learn, what she expected to gain, what papers or information she still believed him to possess, who can say? The pow CT of reasoning, driven from her by the stupefying drug that of late had over mastered it's weak and willing victim, seemed to have utterly gone, leaving in its place only something of the craft hot I,a No sooner was Mrs. Grafton out of the way, than, rousing suddenly, Fanny had summoned Annette, had hastened through her toilet. and, barely slipping the coffee rendered her, had thrown a light wrap over her head and shoulders and fitted out of the house, out past the sta ble at the rear, and, to the amaze of the sentry on No. ?, had scurried away along the fence, had easily located the Merriams' gate, the number on which corresponded with that of their quarters, and in another moment had let herself through the kitchen and : dining-room and into the little parlor. There for few moments she seemed 10 have paused and accommodated.
 Of what followed only Randy and IlOp LluS were NllHeSStS IHc ldt ter was never able to explain it, if indeed he ever could understand the situation, and as for Randy. it was long before he could be induced to speak of it at all. The time came when he had to, how ever, and it can be told now.
 He was half asleep. half awake, in that helplessly lethargic state that seems to possess most temperaments after subjection to the influence of nor phine. He was conscious Of il pain, no soreness, conscious of nothing but that longing for the coming of Florence and q wondering as to the time of night or day He remembered half opening his eyes and seeing Hop blinking in an easy chair by the bedside. and then noticed that it was in the spare room-the guest room-he was lying, and he thought it must be near dawn, for the shutters and shades were drawn, yet dim light was shining through He thought Florrie must be in her room. the front room, and he was just thinking of calling to the servant and rousing him, when he heard the swift pit-a-Pat of light foot steps il the hall. swish of skirts. and, stretching out his arm, he called aloud: @-Floreace. dar,ing," and the next min ute woman's form was at his bedside and he started up. rubbing his eyes. amazed startled believing perhaps that he was still dreaming, for there, with trembling. outstretched hands, stood Fanny McLane.
 ''Nhat-where is my wife?" he gasped. T thought-why, surely this cannot be you!'
 'It is I, Randy" she quavered. T was in torment-I could not rest nor sleep. I knew you were alone, with no one to care for you.''
 "Alone!" he interrupted. "What do you mean? Where is Florence, my wife?'
 'You don't mean-they haven't told you?' she answered. "She has gone home to her people. it is supposed. She left two nights ago-that is one reason I am here.'
 But Merriam burst in upon her vail ing, half incoherent words. Tn Gods name what do you mean? You or I must be mad. Here, Hop. quick. Where are my clothes? Fetch them at once; then go for Capt. Grafton.'
 I'm not mad" she answered. Read this-tae letter she left for you," and the wretched woman tossed upon the bed the note she had taken from among the thers on the mantel, and. shouting 2 for a light, Merriam tore open the en- velope, while the Chinaman, nerveless and obedient to the masters will, threw open line shutters.
 In the next minute Randy had read the page, with staring, throbbing eyes, then fairly ordered her from the room and dazed, yet terrified at the effect of her announcement, she crept into Flor ence's room and threw herself into a chair, moaning and rocking to and fro, Like a madman Merriam was up and tearing about. issuing rapid orders to the servant, his lameness all forgotten and Hop, awed and dismayed, dared dis obey him in nothing. Quickly he -J |, ,.- Errbf f,-id