Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-05-06
Twas so much amazed and alarmed

4 Twas so mucD, aIHdZeu anu alarineu
by the ferocity with which he put this
question, the suddenness with which
he advanced his dark face to mine, that
IL was some moments before was able
to answer. Then said, suilenIy:
II couldn't see. You know it was too
dark for that. But / tell you that
know who 1T was, and don't care what
you do to me. Pm going to stick to it,
Yon want 70 murder me, suppose.
Well, be quick aboutit I'm sure don't
want to live"
Dick A1ullion's tone suddenly
changed. Rising and holding himself
at his full height he smiled con-
temptuonsly, and said:
"Who wants to murder you? Why
should or anybody murder you. Don't
be fool, Blair"
And then, suddenly dropping his tone
to that of ordinary conversation, he
called out. "June!" and turning away
from me, sauntered into an adjoining
room to give some directions to Hot
tentot boy, whose grinning face
showed in the doorway at his call.
7 remained as much mystified as
always was after on interview with
Mullion. His rapid changes of mood
seemed to point, thought, to that
insanity which both Jennie Atkinson
and were inclined to believe was the
key to his strange actions. But there
was no appearance of feverish wild
ness in his eyes; he seemed indeed to
be more composed and far less melan-
choly than I had remembered him on
board ship.
There was nothing for me to do at
present but to lie quiet and await
events with what composure might.
And in the meantime gave look
round my prison.
1t appeared to be deserted Boer
farmhouse, and although the walls re-
mained strong, and the matched roof
fairly good, it was in a state of dirt
and neglect, which made it very I'M
desirable shelter. dared to remark
upon this to Dick Mullion, when he
reappeared q little later with cooling
drink he had had made for me.
I did, indeed, rs 1 took the broken
cup from his hand, wonder whether it
was wholesome drought. But Null
Lion himself set my doubts at rest by
saying, with . sort of laugh, as he
drank part Of st,
''Are you satisfied, now, eh?"
I made no answer to his teering
words, but drank the rest of the
draught grsedily. and lay back again.
4 Nov you'd better go 70 sleep, il you
can," he said, still in the same half
contemptuousto tone. "But you're afraid
I suppose? Afraid Of my attacking
you, eh?"
| turned my head YEARLY, and. an
swered petulantly:
II don't care; don't care. You can
do anything you like"
| And I closed my eyes.
The next moment felt the touch
Of cool hand on my hot forehead.
It was laid there in kindness, know
but the remembrance Of those night
attacks was so strongly revived by
this touch. that I sprang up with a
yell. Dick Mulion put forth his
strong arms round me and laid me
down again.
"Now look here" he said, quite
gently, as he thus proved his OWL
strength and my weakness. Don't be
foolish. Don't you see could break
you in two If chose, OF wiring your
neck as easily as IL you were q chicken
So what's the use Of screaming and
making scenes? tell you you're safe
quite safe here. This is An old Dutch
farmhouse, where you can lie quietly
out of the sun, for day OF two, till
you're well enough to 60 to the rail.
way"
where's the wagon?" asked quick.
~. And DR.. Mullion2 How far am
OF from them?"
"About four miles, should say, as
the crow fies." answered Dick, to my
great surprise.
I, But didn't walk four miles! Why
did you bring me here, instead OF TAX
ing me back to the DOCTOR tell you
I'd rather trust man Of his long ex
perience than trust you, though yor
did sheer at him as old-fashioned!"
"SneerI Isneer at the dear old mani
said Dick. with that sudden change te
deep affection which I used to think
touching in him when he spoke Of his
uncle. mo. He doesn't understand
your peculiar temperament as well as
do, and fatter myself can do bet
ter for you than he could-that's all
But prefer to be treated by him!'
said I. restively.
Preference must give way to neces'
sity," said Dick, dryly.
And he would hear no more ON the
matter.
But felt SO strongly that my only
chance was in getting safe out of the
untrustworthy hands of the mad ane
moody Dick that meditated plans O.
communication with the old doctor
and informing him what had become
OF me. The very least evil which couli
befan mein my present plight was tina
! should be treated by young Mullio1
according to some new craze OF whim
, and I was certainly not robust enough
to be made the victim OF his expert
ments.
So presently bethought me tina
had pencil and pocketbook in m.
coat, which was hanging on nail Of
the wall not very far from where
lay. managed to obtain these, AM
toscrawlupon leaf Of the pocketbool
the details Of my adventure, takin!