The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-08-16


dying. The eyes that watched him I'M
ceasingly while he worked became
more dim as the minutes glded into
the past. and death lowered nearer and
nearer to Richard Maxwell.
Accustomed all his life 10 being alone
with his father. Isle had forgotten
the presence of strangers in the house,
but suddenly he remembered. He
sprang from the room and ran to the
one occupied by Mr.. Thomas, bursting
precipitously into 1t and shaking the
sleeping man fiercely.
"Will you come. sir, at once? Some
thing has happened to my fatherp' he
cried. "IIe is dyingr'
Good God! What is 1t? What has
happened? Your father? Dying, did
you say? Shot? Hurt? What is the
matter?" exclaimed the suddenly awak-
ened man.
81 do not know. Please come.
know that he is dying"
That | will. 1t may not be as bad
as you think. Where is he?" Mr..
Thomas had leaped from the bed and
was rapidly drawing on his trousers.
I'm the room off the library. Hasten,
pleased Hastenv'
IL won't be n minute. Call Erna.
Nothing like a woman in a case like
this, and she's worth a dozen ordinary
onesv'
Isle darted from the room and has
tened to that which was ordinarily his
own. He raped upon the door. There
was no response. He threw IL open
and entered. arousing Miss Thomas as
he had done her father.
She started up with scream, but
Isles quick words treasured her in
stantly.
"My father is dying" he said, with
more calmness. "Mr. Thomas said that
you would help me. VIII you Gomez
"Yes; at once. Where is hep
"Come 10 the library"
He FASTENED then to his fathers side,
but Thomas was there before him,
bending over the bed. When Lisle
would have recommended his efforts at
resuscitation. the Mssourian waved
him aside.
wait, young man. Has Erna Gomez
81 am here, papa" replied her voice
from the doorway.
Mr.. Thomas raised himself slowly
erect and turned so that he stood be-
tween Lisle and the bed. His kind face
told what his tongue had not yet ut
tered. and Isle crouched half down,
awaiting the blow which was about to
fall.
Courage, my boy" he said-"cour-
age. You need more bravery now than
ever in your life before"
Lisle crouched lower and lower. His
dark eyes stared wildly upon the speak
er and then grew dim. He did not
speak; he waited still.
your father is dead. He was dead
when | entered the room. Nothing
earthly could have saved him. He is
dead"
Lisle tried to speak, but his voice
failed him. He could not utter a sound,
and he sank down in his tracks limp,
lifeless, insensible.
Father and daughter sprang stimuli
tancously to his side. Between them
they lifted him from the floor and bore
him to the library, placing him upon
the couch where he had passed the
night. Water and brandy were near
at hand. One was sprinkled literally
over his face; the other was poured,
drop by drop, between his lips, and
then, while Mr.. Thomas industriously
famed him with a newspaper, his
daughter chafed hands and brow, but
Inconsistencies still held sway.
"Open his shirt, Erna," said her ia
ther at last. Give the muscles of the
throat chance to act"
She obeyed. Her father bent down
to assist her. His rude hands and
muscular strength tore the buttons
away, and father and daughter started
back simultaneously, stood erect and
gazed into each others eyes.
They remained thus a full minute,
neither breaking the silence. At last
Erna spoke.
Papa, what shall we do?'
"God knpws! What, in heavens
name, does it mean"
81 suspected it last night; l almost
knew It," whispered Erna.
81 did not. l do not believe that any
body but her father and herself knew
the truth"
"She knew it least of all, papa"
"Do you mean to tell me-
"Hush, papar'
"There isn't woman in this infer
nal neighborhood. l can't imagine"-
Eyes, there is. l am a woman, and
am in the neighborhood-very much in
t ,sa>