Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-10-10
e : Stcryette
WHY MURcHlsoN WENT BACK.
BY Maurice NeIIor.

had ever happened to him had been
the result Of some extraneous and IT.
resistible force.
Sometimes he felt as il he had been
compressed into a mold by circum-
stances; sometimes buffeted from pill
lar to post by cruel accidents
Captain Robert Arnim was almost
the last person likely to be in his
mind, There had been nothing in all
these years to cause Murchison to re
membcr him, and he was never more
surprised in his life than he had been
when, looking up from his bookkeep-
ing he had seen Arnim before his
desk
Il say, JIM" Arnim had said hur-
ricdly, - want to speak to you. Can
you give me a few moments?"
certainly" answered Murchison,
slipping down from his stool. Here
take a seat"
Your wifas weIl?" said Arnim. as
he sat down
o yes-very," replied Murchison,
in pcrpleXity. Hester is in the coun-
try nova little place where | run
down. and join her on Saturday. And
your wife?' he went on tentatively.
That's just it," said Arnim, bending
forward and putting his hand on the
arm Of the chair on which Murchison
was sitting. She isn't well, and I've
got to send her to a place where she'll
get better while | am away"
you're going away" said Murchi-
| son.
I'm going to India. | am to join
my company at Aldershot, and I've got
to start at II tonight to do it. You've
never seen my wife. Here's her pic
| ture."
Murchison saw the photograph of a
pretty young face-onIy the cheeks,
which should manifestly have been
Ihealthly rounded were little sunken.
1T was taken just before ! came
away. You understand, the baby's
! lust been born, and she isn't strong,
and I've got to go. can't leave if I'm
not sure about her, aud can't be I'M
less | have money. We men in the
army get out Of touch with business
and with men who have it, and you
have got to lend it to me"
81 assure you--" MurchisOn began
well. you must have something.
shouldn't say anything about it at any
other time; but this is a matter of
more than my own life aud death to
me You know I got you this berth
here, and turn about is fair play"
After his fathers failure young
Murchison had walked the streets
with nothing but the clothes he wore
1t was then in his wanderings, that he
mad met Arnim, who had befriended
him and found him a comfortable
berth
Murchison had worked ever since,
advancing in position as the years
advanced, for he was an accurate,
match cmatcal machine, and marrying
ror he had his moments OF being a
mantle sister of a fellow clerk
Il tell you, man. I've got to have the
money said Arnim, in sudden excite
ment "You'Ye got to lend it to me,
Three hundred will do
1t was just the sum. 1t had taken
years to save it. and the next day
Mnrchison knew that he was going to
double --trebe-quadrupl it. There
was the sure thing" about which he
had much inside information And
now h. was asked to give it up. 1t
was too provoking.
you've got that, surely demanded
Arum
"Yes-O, yes, I've saved that" said
Murchsou YEARLY.
We'll, give it to me- and | swear
youN have it again within the year,
Can have it now
WHY" said Murchison, instructive.
Iy following his nature, and delaying,
Il might give it to YOU this evening.
rhe monoy is in bonds, and | shall
have to sell them
II could come to your place cX-
claimed Arnim ioyously,
Murchison gave him the name and
address of the house where the HAT
was.
"That's just the thing I'll stop on
my way to the train 1t will be early,
for can't miss it; for, money or no
money. I've got to SO"
Then Arnim had gone and Murchi-
son had slowly taken his way back to
his discriminating
ArHim meant to repay what he Dor
rNwrd. h. believed that he would pay !