Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1899-07-14

ache over Winnie. aud now the thought
Of my own suferings, 1 was in the
depths Of woe.
Gordon had to be told.
Isent for him one day, and he came
gathering up the valley, full Of yigor
and energy. He strobe across the
porch to where 1 sat-half reclining
waiting for him. Uncle Tom could
not stand the interview, and went in-
side.
Hello, Tom," hailed Gordon
What, of your feed? nl?" He put
out his hand.
Keep away" I said. ''Sit down
over there. Don't touch me-"
why, what is the matter? You
look fit to drop"
II am. Gordon, I'm leper.
mol mol" He sat and stared at
me. "You are mistaken, surely" he
said in a moment
No mistake about it. have the
marks and the symptoms.
'But for the love of heaven, Tom,
how could you get it?" I
Il got it from that fellow who bit
me the day we had the fight up the
valley"
''Truel'' said Gordon. 81 had for
gotten that. I"
81 am going to Molokai.'
'Nol say nor he replied vehem.
emily. you shall mott We will hide
you'll Your uncle and will keep your
secret.
''No. 1t cannot be. You would
simply run a great risk yourselves, and
would do me no good. We have
talked all that over Tomorrow the
leper ship leaves Honolulu for Molo-
kai, and am going.
Why not stay with Warren
awhile?r
Why prolong the agony of part
ing?"
why. it is horriblel" said Gordon,
getting up ard pacing back and forth
His sword clanked at his heels. He
Jared the porch at every step, so heav-
lily did he send his heels into the
wooden platform.
''Yes, it is horrible enough, ;" l said
Before l go want You TO promise
me two things Hr
I'm promise hundred-a thou
sand--a millionr' he said. go onl'
II want you to always be a friend
to Uncle Tom. This affection will
eventually kill him. Take care Of
him, He is getting old, and now that
he is to be left alone, will need you. "
Don't fear; I'll see him every day
every hour if you like
"And Winnie-keep up the search.
Ali If my poor sister were only safe,
/ would die more easily
'Ill do that, Tom, too. Not day
shall pass but l shall do all l eau to
find her."
"And if she is found, Gordon--there
is something else-I can't quite say it
as I'D like to, but you will understand
me. She will be entirely alone when
Uncle Tom dies. Friendless, almost,
and not relative Take care of her,
Gordon. I'd like to have her-marry
you.
He stood still before me.
tom, old fellow, you have taken
the words out of my mouth. Iwanted
TO say them--to ask you to consent to
that. 1 have loved Winnie ever since
the day we met on board the Monowai.
1 did not know ituntil she disappeared,
and then it was too late to speak.
But Tom, dear, old fellow, If she is
alive in this world, I'll find her yet.
And if she will have me, she will make
me happy-as happy as | can be with
out you, Tom"
Gordon's voice now trembled as he
spoke.
1t was to be our last night together.
We ate a mournful supper, and sat
long on the porch, Gordon, Uncle
Tom and I, smoking. We communed
with our thoughts, but said few words.
Each of us was too full Of bitterness
and sadness to say much.
In the morning they accompanied
me to Doctor Warren's Office in the
Reception Hospital The old man
knew at glance what the trouble
was. He had dealt too long with the
dread disease to mako any mistake.
Poor boy!" he said, offering me an
easy chair.
Doctor, I am candidate for
Molakai, said, with a feeble effort
to be calm. and even cheerful. "When
does the ship sail?"
I'm two hours, he replied. ''But
why not remain here for fortnight,
until she sails againg'
mo. Why prolong the misery of
the thing? 1 am doomed Let me
go at once to my last earthly resi-
dence.
"0h, Tom, / can'tl 1 can'tl" cried
Uncle Tom, bursting into tears.
ITO be continued.l