Daily camera., 1901-08-10
into the valley of the Santa Clara.
CHAPTER Ky.

probably sleep until late in the after
noon" the doctor said, when he looked
in at II, and so perhaps he might have
done. Grafton, before starting, had
taken the responsibility of removing
Florencc's ominous looking missivc and
placing it with other letters on the
mantel in the little parlor. He could
not feel justified in hiding it entirely.
He felt that when Merriam woke the
truth would have to be told him, and
perhaps Florence's own words might
best explain her fight. At all events
DR.. Lcavitt had promised to be on
hand to see that the news was not too
abruptly broken, and Leavitt counted
on long sleep and upon subsequent
drowSiness and languor as the result OF
his treatment. No one had dreamed OF
the possibility of such rude awakening
as came. No woman in her right senses
would have ventured on the mad
Drained, desperate measure resorted to
by Mrs. McLane. What she hoped to
learn, what she expected to gain, what
papers or information she still believed
him to possess, who can say? The pow
er of reasoning, driven from her by the
stupefying drug that of late had over
mastered its weak and willing victim,
seemed to have utterly gone, leaving in
its place only something of the craft
and cunning that possess the insane.
No sooner was Mrs. Grafton out of the
way, than, rousing suddenly, Fanny
had summoned Annette, had fastened
through her toilet, and, barely slipping
the coffee rendered her, had thrown
light wrap over her head and shoulders
and fitted out of the house, out past
the stable at the rear. and, to the amaze
Of the sentry on No. 2, had scurried
away along the fence, had easily located
the Merriams' gate, the number on
which corresponded with that of their
luarters, and in another moment had
let herself through the kitchen and
lining room and into the little parlor.
There for few moments she seemed
to have paused and reconnoitercd.
OF what followed only Randy and
was never able to explain it, if indeed
he ever could understand the situation,
and as for Randy, it was long before he
could be induced to speak of it at all.
The time came when he had to, how
ever, and it can be told now.
He was half asleep, half awake. in
that helplessly lethargic state that
seems 10 possess most temperamenis
after subjection to the influence Of NOR
phinc. He was conscious of no pain, no
soreness, conscious of nothing but that
longing for the coming of Florence and
a wondering as TO the time OF night or
day. He remembered half opening his
eyes and seeing Hop blinking in an easy
chair BY the bedside, and then noticed
that i, was in the spare room-the guest
room-he was lying, and he thought II
must be near dawn, for the shutters and
shades were drawn, yet dim light
shining through. He thought Florrie
must be in her room, the front room,
and he was just thinking of calling TO
the servant aud rousing him, when he
heard the swift pit-a-pat of lislt foot
steps in the hall, a swish of skirts, and,
stretching out his arm, he called aloud:
Florence, darling." and the next min
ute woman's form was at his bedside
aud he started up, rubbing his eyes,
amazed. startled, believing perhaps that
he was still dreaming. for there, with
trembling, outstretched hands, stood
Fanny McLane.
"What-where is my wife?" he
gasped. Il thought-why, surely this
cannot be you!"
at is |, Randy" she quavered Il was
in torment could not rest nor sleep.
l knew you were alone, with no one to
care for you"
"Alone!" he interrupted. What do
you mean? Where Is Florence, my
wife?"
You don't mean--they haven't told
you?" she answered. "She mas gone
home TO her people, it is supposed.
She left two nights ago-that is one
reason l am here"
But Merriam burst in upon her wall
ing, half incoherent words. In Gods
name what do you mean? You or !
must be mad. Here, Hop, quick!
Where are my clothes? Fetch them a,
once; then go for Capt. Grafton"
I'm not mad" she answered. Read
this-the letter she left for you," and
the wretchcd woman tossed upon the
bed the note she had taken from among
the others on the mantel, and, shouting
for light, Merriam tore open the en-
velope. while the Chinaman, nerveless
and obedicnt TO the masters will, threw
open the shutters.
In the next minute Randy had read
the page, with staring, throbbing eyes,
then fairly ordered her from the room
and dazed, yet terrified at the effect Of
her announcement, she crcpt into Flor
ence's room and threw herself into a
chair, moaning and rocking to and fro,
Like a mailman Merriam was up and
tearing about, issuing rapid orders to
the servant, his lameness all forgotten,
and Hop, awed and dismayed, dared dis
obey him in nothing. Quickly he
dressed his master, pulling on light rid
ing breeches and leggings instead OF
the cavalry scouting rig, and carefully
drawing a hunting shirt over the
crippled arm that in its sling and ban
dages was now bound close to the body.
1t seemed to take no time at all to get
him dressed, yet Merriam fumed and
ragged, and then limped forth into the
hall, bidding Hop go saddle Brown
Dick at once,
At sound of his halting footsteps in
the hall, she had once more reused her
self to action, her own weight of care
and trouble urging her on. Randy"
she cried, "for Gods sake answer me!
Are you sure-are you sure-wfs there
no other statement? no other paper
Did he persist to the last that his moth
er was alive?"
"Mrs. McLane," was the answer,
"you forced me to tell you the truth.
did all could to keep it-and to keep
myself from you, but you would have
it."
"oh, Randy, Randy!" she cried,
"You are heartless! You are brutal,
vindictive! You are Furnishing me be-
cause I so cruelty wronged you. But
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