Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1901-06-26

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"Mr. Weaver" his employer said,
"let me come to your desk. / want
to glance over Franks papers. am
afraid the poor boy himself will never
do that again. Sad, isn't it?'' And
Mr.. Wards kindly voice grew husky.
| rs 1t so bad as that, sir?" Weaver
murmured, while deathly faintness
seized him. f+Iss95
$50 bad as that, I fear" Mr.. Wade
| answered, mechanically taking up a
| pile of papers and running over them.
Suddenly he exclaimed:
whats this?-a letter written by
Frank himself and never sent? ~
The pity that a moment ago had
| filled Weaver vanished, and a fierce
desire to escape detection had taken
its place.
''Why. yes" he said; II remember
Frank intended to invite Miss Wiley
to the opera for Thursday, but
changed his mind, and, 1 suppose, did
not send the letter. However, | am
going down to inquire after him at
noon, and if you will give me the let
ter, I'll leave it with his mother.
"Yes. yes" assented Mr.. Wade;
that's good idea"
But he still held it in his hand,
while Weaver could hardly restrain
his desire to snatch it away.
IF / get the cursed thing in my
own hand once" he thought. sit will
never be seen again"
just then Jimmy entered. Catch
ing sight of the letter in Mr.. Wade's
hand, he exclaimed
why, Mr.. Weaver. you didn't mail
that letter that day
Weaver turned pale.
You don't know what you are talk
ing about" he said, as Mr. Wade
glanced up. inquiringly.
Eyes. I do" Jimmy persisted;
that's the letter Mr.. Hepburn gave
me to mail the day before he got
sick. Don't you remember his say
ing that little cross was secret
sign?''
"Why didn't you mail it. jimmy?
Mr.. Wade interrupted, sternly.
'Why. sir, on my way to the office
he'd mail it himself"
Jimmy had taken the letter from
Mr.. Wade's hands, and, turning it
over. exclaimed:
Its opened now!"
There was no need to question
Weaver: the look of bitter hatred he
turned on Jimmy told his guilt more
eloquently than any words.
Mr.. Weaver. l am sorry for this,
Mr.. Wade said, simply, and left the
room.
His heart was very tende@ towards
the poor boy he had seen that morn
ing tossing restlessly from side to
side. and still trying to murmur:
BERTHA
"The name is the same" he COM
mented. I'll take her the note and
explain it's delay. There may be a
connection between this and his brain
fever. God grant there is.
Hurriedly calling cab. he drove tc
the address on the envelope, and was
soon greeted by young lady. who
responded to his Inquiry for Miss
Bertha Wiley"
SIS this your letter." he asked. alb
ruptly.
She looked at him rather haughtily
an instant, then her whole air
changed to one of intense eagerness
as she caught sight of the address.
"Yes." she breathed. and in a mo-
ment had taken the note and de-
voured its contents.
"Where did you get it ?" she asked
looking up, the pretty color that
tinged her cheeks as she read dying
out. and her little air of hauteur re-
turning, though her eyes still danced
and there was a glad ring in her
sweet voice.
Ignoring her question. Mr.. Wade
said. sharply:
"Do Won know its writer is dying?
Dying! Frank!-oh. my darling!F
There was no need to ask if this
was the Bertha. Only one woman can
utter mans name in that tone. The
light and the color died out of her
face in an instant. and hard
strained look came in their place
more pitiful than any tears. She put
her hand on her heart a moment
and then said, simply:
"Take me to him, please
Get your hat" Mr.. Wade answered
But she only looked at him again
and whispered: ''Take me to him.
Without a word more, he led her
to the still waiting cab.
On reaching the house. Mr.. Wade
left her in he hall and hurried up
stairs. A few. swift words explained
to the doctor who was below. and he
FASTENED down.
"You must be very quiet" he said
gently. though the charge seemed un.
necessary in greeting the almost
stony figure that awaited him. 'SleeI
must come within an hour, or death
\ or hopeless insanity will result; but
go to him. look and speak quietly ant
naturally. and il it is you he is dying
for Ga shudder ran through the girD
we may save him yet.
The doctor led the way to the sick
room. opened the door. and stood
aside as she entered. Bertha swaye6
for an instant as she caught sight o.
the pitiful, wasted form extended be
fore her; but love triumphed, and
swiftly advancing to the bedside. SHIT
bent above the wistful eyes and said
clearly and softly:
Love, did you call me?''
"Bertha!" the pinched lips tried t.
say.
ayes. Bertha" she cooed, softl,
- la,. oool Inns IN his. ssand N NV