Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-01-13
CHAPTER v.

dxed on his face. He was breathing calm
"; danger was over. Barbara watched
the sleeper with undivided attention as
though tryins to read the answer to a
question which puzzled her.
Barbara rose from her seat and went to
a carved oak box that stood against the
wall. She raised the lid aud looked in.
There lay. neatly folded, the contents of
Jaspcr's bundle. a coarse gray and yellow
suit-a suit so peculiar in cut and color
that there was no mistaking whence it had
cOiae. and what he was who had worn it.
Barbara found it hard to associate such q
face wit!: crime. and yet how else could
she arcoun; for that convict garb rolled
UP and strapped to his saddle, and which
she had laid in the trunk?
Prisoners escaped now and again from
the great jail Oh Dartmooc. This was one
Of them. AS she sat watching him, puz-
zling her mind over this, his eyes opened,
and llc smiled. The smile was remarka-
bly, sweet.
"WIicra am l noww he asked.
".At .Morwcll House."
He closed his eyes. His face was very
pale. like marble. but NOT AXE marble in
this, that across it Travelled changes of en-
PiNSSiOs tI'il StiiTcl l.ic UluSClcSs OO
what she would, Barbara could not keep
her eyes Oh him. The horrible mystery
about the maa, the lie given to her
thoughts OF him by his face, forced her
to observe him.
Presently no opened lis eyes, and met
hers; she recoiled lis if smittcn with u
guilty feeling; at her Heart.
You have alwass lccn with me while
i was unconscious and rambling" he said
earnestly.
~ have been Il great deal with you. You
have rot been neglected"
He rose OIL his elbow, and held out his
hand.
IL knew that l owe my life to you,
young lady. Allow me to thank you. My
life is of no value to any but myself. l
have not hitherto regarded it much. Now
Shall esteem it, as saved by you. !
thank You. May touch your handy
He took her fingers and put them to his
lips.
This hand is firm and strong" he said
"hut gentle as the wing of IL dove"
She coldly withdrew lier fingers.
Enough OF thanks" she said bluntly.
~ did hut my duty"
Excuse me. Where am I now? And,
youag lady. If you will not think it .ude of
me TO inquire. who are you to whom l
owe my poor lifa?'
This. rs I have already said, is Nor.
we'll. and I am the daughter Of the gentle.
man who resides in it, Mr.. ignatius Jor.
dam"
He fell back on the bed, a deadly gray
ness came over his face, he raised his
bands. ''Oh. heaven! this is most wonder
full. Thy ways are past finding out"
What is wonderful" asked Barbara.
He did not answer, but partially raised
himself again in bed.
where are my clothes? 2" he asked.
(Which clothesy inquired Barbara, ant
her voice was hard, and har expression be
came stern. She hesitated for a moment
then went to the chest and drew fortl
the suit that had been rolled up on til,
pommcI Of the saddle: also that which b,
had worn when he met with the accident
She held one in each hand, and returned {,
the bed.
(Which" she asked gravely, FIXING he
eyes on him.
He looked from one to the other. and hi
pale face turned a chalky white. The
he said in a low, tremulous tone, 81 van
my waistcoat."
She gave it to him. He felt eagerl;
about it. drew the pocketbook from til
breast pocket, opened it and fell back.
"Gonc!!' Ii, moaned. gone"
The garment dropped from his finger
upon the floor. his eyes became glass
and fixed. and scarlet spots of color form
Ell in his cheeks.
Aftc. this he became feverish, and toss
ed in his bed, put his hand to his brow
pluckcd at the b%andages, asked for water
and his pulse quickened.
Toward evening he seemed consciou
that his senses were slipping beyond cor
troll. He called repeatedly for the youn
lady. and Jane, who attended MIN ther
was obliged to fetch Barbara.
He lifted himself. His eyes were glow
ing with fever; he put out his hand IN
claspci her wrist; his hand was burning
His lips uu;vered: his face was full of
fiery cagcrness.
~ cntreat you! you are so good, 8
kind. You have surprised a secret. I be
secch you let no one else into it-no on
have II suspicion Of it. am afraid wha
/ may say when others are by me.
would so III my knees to you could
rise. l pray you. l pray you-" he pu
his hands together, do not leave me il
become delirious. 1t is a hard thing t
ask. l have no claim OH you: but l feal
1 would have none but you know what
say, and I may say strange things il IN
mind becomes deranged with fever. Sta
by mo-in pity-in ~mcrcy-for the Low
of heaven"
Sh, stood by his bed, greatly moved
much stung with s%elf-reproach. 1t We
cruel of her to act as she had done, t
s'ow him that convict suit, and let hi,
see that she knew his vileness.
YES" she said. II will stay by you a
night. and whatever passes your lips sha
never pass mine."
He smiled. and gave a sigh Of relief.
"How good you are! How good! Bal
bara Jordan"
He did not call her Miss. and she fel
slightly piqued. He, a convict, to D
Of her thus! But she paciied her wount
ed rrtde with the consideration that b
MUD was disturbed by fever.
CHAPTER vi.
Barbara had passed her word to renal
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