The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-10-20

hands were the next to attract my at
tention, and again | marveled at the
curious confederation of circumstances
which had warped a nature unquestion-
ably designed for good rather than evil
purposes. Perhaps the fact that Nancy's
father was the object of my eNamina-
lion perverted my judgment: but sit
ting there in the dmly-lit room, with
HE lullaby OF the Pacific i'm my ears. |
came to the amazing conclusion that
burlington was guitless of the murder
Of Perkins, that his wife had been the
victim of circumstautial evidence. that
Gerard had fallen prey to his natural
pusilauimity. Then | suddenly be-
thought me of the kilograms, and my
Imagination wilted.
As my eyes still rested upon the
sinewy hands with their strong spat-
ulate fingers. Burlington addressed me
by name. His voice was much stronger,
and the information clear, indicating an
unclouded brain.
Are we nlone?" he asked, not NOV
ing his head
YES" said |; but don't talk"
81 must" he replied, impatiently.
I've focused all my strength for that
very purpose. | want to see Mrs. Ger
ard Tomorrow"
lie was certainly mad, decided, and
must be humored
"Yes. yes" | murmured, soothingly,
"of course you shall see Mrs. Gerard"
81 don't know what the devil you
a..F = 4
There are serious difficulties in the
way. She was once my wife, the very
light of my eyes. And she left me
me-" noted the accent of pride-"for
that slave of Plutus. Mark Gerard. [
let her 20, d--n her. without word.
Bnt she is not anxious to see me again,
I'll warrant"
| was too astonished to reply.
81 may have to employ you" he CON
tinued. calmly. las go-between. Mark
Gerard is welcome to my wife, but the
girl is mine. and want her"
"Nancy?' | gasped.
us that her name?" said he. Eyes,
she's mine. claim the girl"
He spoke so calmly, so sanely, that
forgot my duty as nurse, and spoke out
impuIsively:
"You claim that girl, knowing the
reason which drove her mother from
your house,"
DO you know the reason, Livings-
tone"
81 do"
"Then. in the name Of God, share that
knowledge with me. Heavens! how my
head reels"
tried in vain to calm him, but he
4 demanded imper0tiyely an answer to
bis appeal.
"Why did she leave me?" he repeated.
81 made her a good husband. | dare
say was jealous Of other mcn-Gerard
/ in particular-but that was proof of
| love worked like a slave for that
W cmnn-workcd till my health broke
down. and then. just when needed her
| most, she deserted me. The girl was
born months after that, and supposed
she was the child of Gerard. To-day
TINS morning. opened my eyes ana
saw my face stamped upon hers. She
is Burlington all over, | swear it,
| How dared that woman rob me of my
| child? I've lain here, Livingston,
all this day, eating what they gave me-
submitting to that awful rubbing, pray
ing, ay, praying for strength to recover
and claim my child"
"And Perkins," | whispered.
His eyes met mine with the inquiring
| glance of a puzzled child.
"Perkins?' he muttered. "Ferdnand
! Perkins? The Greek murdered him
| know IT, Don't let that man come
near me. He's my enemy, | tell you
my bitter enemy! But what has Per.
llins to do with me? Are you crazy
Curse that dog! My head is splitting
The bloodhound was bayiug furious.
~. but suddenly ceased, A skunk, prob
ably. skirting the barn, had provoked
his resentment.
Not daring to pursue the subject fur
ther. bathed Rurlington's head, but to
no purpose. The pain waNed tierceI
and iiercer, till the man positively quiv-
! cred beneath my touch. The doctor
toresecing such a contingency, had sent
a composing draught, with instructions
hastily administered a full dose, and
watched it take effect, Burlington, be
Meath the influence of the drug, CLOSED
his eyes, and within five minutes was
peacefully asleep. resumed my place
by his side, and tried to muster my ram
pant thoughts. Acolus wrestling with
his turbulent winds had lighter task
Outside the moon and stars were OBJ
scured by fog, which had rolled in from
the ocean, thick ard dank with the
spume Of the sea, hlottng from my view
the shimmering waters, and hnnishing
the grateful breeze. One might scarce
~ believe that one short hour ago the
prospect had been clcar-that with the
morning sun thcac clouds, so clammilS
oppressive, would be once more swept
away,
Suddenly my enr caught the sound OF
n footstcr. and sprau@ from my chair
with muttercd eXclamaton Some
! npn WINS In tIp roXt ROOM