The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-06-02

The room was the one usually occu-
pied by Demetrius. 1t had two doors
and window. One door communicat ted
with the passage, and the other with
Marks bedroom, now vacant. Here, the
nurse told me, should find coffee and
light refreshments. A drawn portiere
hung between the rooms, but the door
was open, and lamp burned brightly
upon Marks table, furnishing sufficient
light for the room beyond, where Bur
lington lay. The nurse warned me to
leave this lamp where it was: too much
light. he said, was bad for his patient.
took my seat by the head of the
bed, with my back to the portiere and
facing the window. The lower sash was
up, and ! could see and hear the ocean.
i mention these details as briefly as pos
sible, but they are important, as the
sequel will prove.
For an hour at least watched Bur-
lington's impassive features. am no
rlysiognomist, but, unless my expert
ence was entirely at fault, this man
had the head of neither a criminal nor
maniac. The brows were narrow but
lofty; the mouth was beautifully mod
eled, but distigured by deep lines run
ming from nostril to jawbone. His
hands were the next to attract my at
tention, and again ! marveled at the
curious concatenation of circumstances
which had warped n nature unquestion-
ably designed for good rather than evil
purposes. Perhaps the fact that Nancy's
father was the object of my eXamina-
tion perverted my Judgment; but sit
ting there in the dimly-lit room, with
The lullaby of the Pacific in my ears,
came to the amazing conclusion that
burlington was guiltless of the murder
Df Perkins, that his wife had been the
victim of circumstantial evidence, that
Iierard had fallen Il prey to his natural
pusillanmity. 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 intonation clear. Indicating an
unclouded brain.
Are we alone?" he asked, not NOV
ing his head.
YES" said l.; 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"
He 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
mean by of COURSE" he said, irritably.
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 go. 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.
rs that her name?" said he. "Yes,
she's mine. ] claim the girl"
He spoke so calmly, so sanely, that
forgot my duty as nurse, and spoke out
impulsively:
you claim that girl, knowing the
reason which drove her mother from
your house?"
"Do you know the reason, Livings-
ton?"
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
demanded imperatively an answer to
his appeal.
why did she leave me?" he repeated.
II made her a good husband. l dare
say was jealous of other men-Gerard
in particular-but that was proof of
love. l worked like a slave for that
woman-worked 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
pLlo OlJShSh my NSNS uAN
saw my face stamped upon hers. She
is a 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 2" | whiSDered
His eyes met mine with the inquiring
glance of puzzled child.
"Perkins? he muttered. Ferdinand
Perkins? The Greek murdered him.
| know it. Don't let that man come
near me. He's my enemy, I tell you,
my bitter enemyl But what has Per-
kins to do with me? Are you crazy?
Curse that dog! My head is splitting"
The bloodhound was baying furious
ly, but suddenly ceased. A skunk, prob
ably, slkirting the barn, had provoked
his resentment.
Not daring to pursue the subject fur
ther, bathed Burlington's head, but to
no purpose. The pain waxed fiercer
and fiercer, till the man positively quiv-
cred beneath my touch. The doctor,
toreseeing such contingency, had sent
composing draught, with instructions.
| hastily administered 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
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