Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-01-08
lid complained, the ailmen1


real evidence If evidence it might be
called-and as such treasured the
scanty information.
Having by dint of some exertion
found the cabman who had driven
Farnham from the hotel to the rail-
way depot, made sure that his luggage
had been checked" to Denver, and SO
set forth again, with feeling that
had something to go upon.
Never had journey seemed to me so
endless. After Chicago the intermin-
able plains got upon my nerves, and
looked out eagerly for the first range
of the snow-clad Rockies.
The trip had taken the best part of
three days, and it was early morning
when l arrived in busy Denver. where
the dry cold wind and the whirring
shrieks of electric trains made me feel
that had left the place but yesterday.
Much was changed, and many more
tall, handsome blocks of pink stone had
been erected during my tour years abb
sence; still l easily found my way to
the building where Harvey Farnnam
had offices.
1t was just breakfast time, but the
business world of Denver, Col, and the
great West is astir at an hour which
would appear unusual in England. |
asked for Mr.. Farnham, and was told
by a young clerk that he had returned
to Denver three or four days previous
ly. He had not been at the offices, as
he was somewhat unwell as yet, but if
[ chose l could see Mr.. Bennett, who
would tell me when he might be eX-
Dected.
| remembered Bennett, now that
was reminded of his existence, as an
energetic young fellow, high in Farm
hams confidence, who probably knew
as much about the mining and other
financial interests as did his employer.
l said therefore that l would see Mr..
Bennett by all means.
He came in to me briskly in a few
moments surprised, and, he said, de-
lighted to see me again. Yes, it was
quite true that Mr. Farnham had re-
turned, but was as yet unable TO be
troubled by business affairs.
This settled the matter, then, | as
sured myself. There was nothing left
for me to do but rejoice in Farnham' S
safety, curse my own idiocy for har-
boring fantastic suspicious, despite all
evidence which should long <go have
overthrown them. and proceed to re-
trace my six thousand miles journey
across the continent and the Atlantic.
| should at all events have the salts
faction, | bitterly reflected, that | had
done my best TO serve Karine's inter-
ests and my own, and | should arrive
in England in plenty of time to see her
married to the man | had valnly at
tempted to prove a murderer.
| became for the first time conscious
that I was desperately weary, that l
had eaten little during the past few
days, and slept less. | had not trou-
bled myself to breakfast that morn
ng-devouring food had seemed so
utterly irrelevant-and now for an in
slant, as Mr. BENEFITS words rang in
my ears, a curious sudden dizziness
overpowered me. l felt sick anc
faint, and realized that life was fail
ure, with nothing worth living for In
future, since Karine Cunningham
would be Karine Wildred.
You look i'll, Mr. Stanton" remark
ed Mr.. Bennett. Il guess you've had a
tiresome journey. l know what a
nasty run that is between Chicago and
Denver"
A nasty run indeed! But it would
be much nastier going back again,
leaving the house of cards, which 1 had
come so far to see, lying in ruins be-
hind me. Still, continued to beat in
to my brains the fact that | rejoiced
in poor old Farnham's safety.
Il believe / am a bit knocked out" l
said, though | ought to be able to
stand trifie like that and think moth
ing of it. | should be glad to see Mr.
Farnham. | suppose such an cid
friend as | might venture to call in on
him, even though he isn't feeling as
fit as | should like to think him. If
he isn't likely to turn up here present
ly | might drive to the house, and he'd
give me breakfast, | daresay,"
| saw before I had finished my sec
ond sentence that Bennett was slightly
disturbed He flushed to the roots of
his faxen hair, and his face wore an
expression which betrayed a sus-
pressed desire to whistle.
you can bet he would give you
breakfast, or anything else he had, Mr..
Stanton" the trusted man of business
said heartily, yet with a certain ire
solution. But the fact is, he amt at
the house this morning. He's gone
away again
Il thought he was unwell," I inter
polated, in surprise.
That's so. He's a sick man, not
hardly fit to be about, but for all that
he's off. He ought to be back again
in-well. in a few days, however"
"A few days" | echoed
More or less. By George, he will
be mad when he knows he's kept you
waiting. For, of course, you will wait,
won't you, Mr.. Stanton?'
Il should certainly like to see him
before | go back to the East | said:
and l spoke no more than the truth,
for, putting my cordial feeling for
Farnham out of the question, it might
be that valuable information concern
ing Wildred's past could be wrested
from him with due diplomacy. Still.
| hardly feel like hanging about Dem
yer for an indefinite length of time. do
ing nothing. | shouldn't mind a little
journey, as I've come so far. If he's at
any of the Colorado mines, perhaps l
might run on and join him; I've been
there with him before, you may re-
member"
You might, indeed, SIR" returned
Bennett. still embarrassed, IF he was
in any such place, which he isn't. To
tell you the plain truth, Mr.. Stanton,
M