Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-05-20

happy, was, 80 It seemed to me, on tho
brink Of an awful mistake. Undoubt-
edly che loved, Dick Mullion; and al
though the two had not seemed to
wear the mien of lovers feared that
at any moment some accident might
drive them into each others arms.
As for her lofty opinion Of Null
lion, could not believe it was found
ed on anything stronger than his
own accounts of himself. If he had
an explanation to give of his con-
duct, surely it should have been Civ
en- to me, who had brought accusa-
tons against him under which no in
nocent man would allow himself to
lie!
worked myself into such fever
over these thoughts and the remem-
brance of Jennie's distress, that by
the time saw Dick Mullion again
was almost too indignant to speak
to him.
He, however, took no notice of my
ill-humor, fact which irritated me
against him still further. He ap-
peared to despise my opinion of him
altogether, and contented himself
by giving me solemn warning as to
the result which would follow if I
persisted in exerting myself so soon
after my illness.
But I had my revenge, or thought I
had it, when, later in the day, Jen-
ME and stood a moment near each
other at one of the kitchen windows,
while Dick was outside, helping to
bring in part of the provisions with
which Mr.. Atkinson's wagon was
stocked.
"I'm off to Cape Town Tomorrow"
I said to her, in voice loud enough
to reach the ears of her father at the
other end of the room.
When I went away, Jennie's ex-
cuse, and her fathers, for remaining
in the Karroo would be gone. She
understood my meaning perfectly.
WELL" called out old Atkinson.
"if you're we'll enough, there's no
reason why we shouldn't all start as
soon as you like"
"All but Mr.. Mullion," said I. "He
must rejoin his uncle, who must be
wondering what he is doing with
himself out here"
"Why, hasn't he been attending
your" asked the old gentleman,
rather puzzled.
There's no need for him to do
that any longer said 1. Nor need
he have done it for SO long. Old DR..
Afullion was most anxious to under
take the care of me himself"
AS spoke Jennie grew pale. She
shot at me look full of indignation,
and think she would have said
something if Dick. who was near
enough to hear this conversation,
which indeed was intended for his
ears, had not checked her by pc
culiar look. ;,
She blushed, drew long breath,
and looked down, biting her lips.
I confess that I was enraged by
this tacit assumption on Dick Null
lions part of authority over her. I
nursed my anger during the rest of
the evening, and at last, when night
| came, and Atkinson and his daughter
had withdrawn from the house, not
far away, where they had obtained
a passably comfortable lodging, I
was seized with sudden rush of sus-
picion and fears. I drew the bolt of
the farmhouse door, fastened the
shutters, roughly ihprovised ones
apparently, on the inside of the win
dows, and secured myself against in
| trusion for the night.
Presently Dick Mullion came, tried
| the door, called aloud.
did not answer, but sat sullenly
silent inside, while he repeated his
efforts to get a sign from within.
Then there was pause, and think
he must have caught, through the
big keyhole or through some chink,
glimpse Of me which satisfied him
that was alive and we'll, and that
the blockade was no accident.
At any rate, he presently laughed,
and saying: "All right! Have your
own way, then!" adding an epithet
by no means complimentary, went
away without more ado.
When he had gone, however, and left
me alone in my glory in the bare, de-
serted farmhouse, began to feel more
and more strongly that even the com
partnership of man whom I looked
upon as something of suspect was
better than the absolute loneliness
which had brought upon myself.
would have left the house in search
Of the Hottentot, June, who passed
the nights in one OF the outbuildings,
but that had an uncanny feeling that
l might find, on returning, some in
truder in my own stronghold.
In vain passed from one of the two
rooms which We're all that were left
intact of the dismantled farmhouse,
to the other, whistling and marching
with firm tread, and telling myself
that at least might now pass one
night without disquieting fears of an
| attack.
I could not dispossess myself of the
feeling that had made fool of my
| self, sense which grew stronger as
I found my strength failing, and orept
to my bed.
I had plenty of candles, that was
one comfort. chose out the longest
I could find, and, lighting it, stuck it
in the bottle which formed our primi-
tive candlestick and placed it on the
box which stood against the wall near
my boarded-up window.
The sight of those nailed-up boards
| pave me A chill thouph I cannot toll