Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-03-23
by W1nn1HM T. NICHOLS.
~No-oNoo,

might be taken to indicate that the
animal met his approval. He drew me
aside, after having made long and
thorough examination of the horse.
Eight years old, sound as n dollar;
wind and legs all right" said he, in a
whisper. 1--WE seen him before He's
good fer a mile under 2:4O. Quiet as IL
lamb, no fool notions; sensible as
Christian about trains-llnows the
injine can't hurt him if he keeps off the
track"
whats the price,"
Five hundred-askel," said he, with
Il strong emphasis on the last word.
whistlcd softly.
ooh, that's the askin' price," he eN-
planned. Its like woman's chignon:
it'll come Off"
I'm in your hands" said l. "Under-
stand, l want your guarantee in this
business, and you'll be paid for it. Be
sides the horse, l need harness and Il
buggy"
WALL" said he, after moments cal
culation, "I'll be fair with We. Will We
give me what can clear under $500 fer
the hull outfit, boss, light-runnin'
buggy, and good harness?"
"It's q bargain. I'll go to the bank,
draw the money. and bring it to you
here. Will you drive the rig to Bassett-
vile, SO that can get it there tonight
when come down by train?"
by the time yer back from the bank
| I'll have made the decker and be ready
to start" said he. And he was as good
as his word. Before noon the payment
had been made and my new horse was
trotting steadily along the road lead
ing from Trent Carpenters praise of
the animal had been enough to end my
doubts as to his speed, but could not
but wish that the steed were more pleas
ing to look upon.
Though wasted good deal of time
over midday dinner and the various
commissions l had to execute, l found
upon reaching the railway station that
there was nearly an hour of waiting
ahead of me before the accommodation
train should begin its journey down the
road. The station, however, was not a
bad place in which to kill time, for two
lines met there, and the rapid ebb and
flow of the human tide continued from
morning to night. I rubbed elbows
with stolid farmers, brisk townspeople
and nervous women, chatted for mo-
ment with an acquaintance, and then
stepped out upon the platform in
search of some sheltered nook where q
4 cigar might be enjoyed in peace. A
long train from the west monopolized
one of the tracks. 1t. appeared to be
well filled with passengers. and
strollcd the length of it. surveying
with some amusement the faces. fat
tened against the windows of the cars,
faces old, middle-aged and young. but
all alike in their expression of vague
curiosity, as their owners watched the
stream of travellers passing from the
waiting-Iooms. ! had nearly reached
the end Of the last car, and had bent
} down to strike a match in the lee of it.
when heard my name called.
"Oh, DR.. Morris, Dr. Morris, dear doc.
tor, that's. you, isn't it? Do come here,
quick. quick! The train will be start
: ing in u second, and must see you.
Oh, doctor, doctor, quick. quick"
! recognized the voice. 1t was that
, Of Mrs. l.oring. with all the old hurry
ing rush OF words remembered so we'll
Looking up, saw thritncrant sufferer
leaning far out of he car window, with
one arm waving wildly, as if to assist
5 III attracting my attcntion. Pulling oil
: M: hat, sprang toward her
IL. fr,,
tor--you can't know how fortunate!"
she cried. I've been anxious, SO anx-
ious, to sec you. How is my health ?
Oh, doctor, it's terrible, terrible, worse
than ever, doctor; worse, much worse.
, Very much worse"
"And Miss Gray. is she still with
you?" asked, my eyes roaming over
i, the windows ard seeking her nicce's
face at one of them
Yes, yes. dear girl. dear girl. she
never leaves me. How could she, and
have heart? Mine. doctor. has been
!, up to 100 q minute"
Indeed" said |, throwing due pro
fessional gravity into III. word 81
trust Miss Gray is wello'
! Yes, yes, as we'll ascycr. And Il tom.
perature of l02. repeatedly. doctor. re
pcatedly."
What, Miss Gray's temp" cried
, with no fictitious concern.
Fl "No, no, mine. Dear me, doctor
didn't tell you it was mine? Those
springs in Kentucky just com,
. from thcm-they did me no good. I'm
!, sure. And | was so hopeful, doctor, Sc
hopeful; the water had SO many strange
things in it, was sure some of then
must help me-
, Your case is marvellous one, Mrs
Loring," said |. "Nill you kindly pre-
sent my regards to your niece, and"
, She stopped me with quick gesture
$ please put your address here" sale
Vi she. thrnsting note book toward me
Hurry. please hurry-the train is be
!, ginning to move. have an idea that
/ oh, thanks; yes. yes, ! see, Rodney
| town So good of you. yes. SO good
: Good-by, doctor, good-by."
j The train was fairly under headwa,
e now, and | stood bowling low, but no
to the vanishing invalid. At the mex
: window to hers had had glimps,
:, of another face, one that dreams hat
kept fresh in my memory and that hat
/ figured in the little romance that ha,
crept into my existence.
TO be continued
Il Rich, Red Blood.
| MOrley'S SarSanarill an1 Iron not onl