Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-05-09
against my bed, AND asked me, now I,

| of gold, and then he went away soft
ly across the patch of light into the
adjoining room.
When he came back. it was without
the oandlo I had asked tor.
Cant hazo light. baas," said the
| man. shaking his head and pointing
at the room where his master was
mo light In here. Raas not allow light
in here"
was ennaged at this spiteful de-
NAL, as il seemed to me, of such SIM
pie request. could no, even read the
| precious letter I held in my hand,
| which I guessed to be from the old
doctor. I beckoned June to my side.
What's your master doing In
there?" asked in a low voice.
"He reading. baas. always reading"
answered the man.
Reading yhat2.' asked I. with curl
ositx
"oh. hookvhook-Ape always,
always,s
I was interested. What could it be
that engaged Dick Mullion so deeply
1. remembering the book had found
in his possession on board ship, was
very anxious to know.
do you think you could bring me
the books to see, when he's out?"
asked I.
The man shook his head
HE keep book, papers close, very
close, baas."
But this answer made me only the
more determined that would oontrive
to see what this literature was that
absorbed my jailer SO deeply.
IF you can bring them to me, these
books and papers that he reads so
constantly" whispered close to
June's ear, "I'll try and find another
gold piece for you. Do you hear2"
BY vigorous nod the man assent
ed. He heards he would try to do as
I wished. But it was hard, very hard.
His master kept the books so close.
And before I could say any more
to him dark shadow blocked out
the candle light, and Dick Mullion
himself stood in the doorway.
could not see his face, but there
was, to my eyes, something threaten
ing in his very attitude. However, I
was i'll, weary, reckless. Without car
ing much what the consequences
might be of my indiscretiop ques-
toned him at once.
Wasn't that The doctor heard al
the door some time ago?"
Eyes, dare say you heard him. He
was there" answered Dick, surlily.
"Why didn't you let him come in?"
I went on, querulously.
There Yves o pause. Then he said
shortly:
well, that's my affair. You
shouldn't have sent for him. Aren't
you satisfied with the care you get
here2'
YES, yes" said I, 81 suppose it's
the best you can give me. But it's
not as good rs the care should get
if I could have the doctor and my
own servants about me. You. won't
even let me- have light"
Better for your eyes that you
shouldn't" said he, shortly.
And then he advanced into the
room, and passing by my bed, went
up to the one poor window, and
pressed his face against spot where
q bit of the glass was left.
| Does the tapping Of the branches
disturb you?" he asked, shortly.
Sometimes" said I. :.
"Ah, we'll, il you are disturbed by it
again, call out, and I'll come in and
see to it, have 'em pushed away OF
something. Do you hear?"
He spoke with anxious peremptori-
ness which surprised me, But was
tired out with surprises in connection
with this man. I assented sullenly
and he went out.
It was some time otter this when !
heard the big door of the kitchen
open, and it was only q few minutes
later that June came softly and
quickly into my room, bent double,
and carrying something close to his
chest. He ran up to my bed, put the
precious thing he carried down beside
me, and whispering; "Quick, quick,
back again and brought me candle.
"Quick, quick!" no repeated. II go
watch, baas. And when come back,
you give me books"
He disappeared into the kitchen to
watch and I. much agitated by this
sudden and unexpected fulfillment of
my wish, tore the envelope of the let
ter June had brought me. It was, as
had supposed, an answer to my
note to the kind old doctor.
my Dear MI. Blair: I am rejoicsd to
hear from you, as had been in state OF
the greatest anxiety as to what had become
OF you. thank Heaven you are With Dick,
who will take the best care Of you. I send
you this note, q, the bearer Of yours to me
will get over the ground quicker than
shall. But will be with you. II can, In q
couple OF hours; I am only we!tins till one
OF your men comes back with horse. n
tho meantime, keep up your spirits. All
will 80 well with you. never fear. Yours,
"NATEIANIEL MULLION,v
Delighted as was to see the deas
old boys handwriting again, only
read 1t through once, SO anxious was
! to examine these books and papers
Of young Mullion's before their own.
ers should come back.
AS had half expected, the first one
I took up was that same book on poi.
sons which I had taken from young
! AE,allion,a aocl4f an hoard shin