Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-04-25
les, and they went away together.

When they had got out of sight, I
followed them, and as they both turned
into their cabin, I did thing which is
unconventional. to say the least Of it,
but which considered justified by
the danger knew myself to be in.
got as close to the door of their
cabin as could, and-hstened to what
was going on inside. >
Now if l had found myself mistaken;
it they had talked about anything or
anybody but me, should either have
knocked at their door, or should have
gone away as quickly and quietly as
had come. But the very first words
that heard convinced me, not only
that I was the subject Of their CONVEX
sation. but that all my suspicious of
Dick Mullion were absolutely correct.
For the old doctor Vas alternately
reproaching his nephew for HIS con-
duct toward me and pleading with him
on my behalf.
IT'S just because heis, as he himself
describes 1t, "a rickety little fellow, that
humanity demands that we should do
our best for him, that we should do
all we can, not only to prolong his
life, but make life better worth liv-
ing for him. I'm surprised at you,
Dick, surprised and grieved beyond
words. What is science but dry bones,
1t we are not to use 1t for the prolong.
ing OF life, and the alleviation of pain
No, no; I won't listen to you; say
shame upon you'll I'll save him in spite
OF you"
Now Dick Mullion made answer to
this, but in tones 80 low, SO fierce, so
surly that could make out little be-
yond the fact that he was soothing at
his uncle's words with sort of des-
peration.
shrank back from the cabin door,
more stupefied than appalled, by what
had heard.
It was all so unsccountable,s SO amas-
Ing that, as I shrank away shivering to
my own cabin, began to ask myself
twoquestions: theflrst one was wheth-
er I had heard Alright; tho second.
whether, suspecting my intention to
play the eavesdropper, uncle and neph-
ew had played me a trick and had
arranged this colloquy on purpose for
my benefit.
And this last wan the decision I
came to In the matter. They were by
this time. so could not but suppose.
hdulging in fit Of laughter over the
deception they had praotiosd upon me!
was SO thoroughly satisfied with
~ tnY afnt Inv, hIah \ a.
che only possible one. that I confess
began to look at my recent suspicious
from another point Of view, and Co asl1
myself whether, from the outset, had
not been the victim ok an elaborate
proctical joke. twas true that neither
nephew nor uncle was The sort Of man
BY whom one would expect practical
Joke to be played; the former was
zoo kindly, the latter too gloomy, one
would have said, to indulge in such an
amusement. Yet improbable, there
fore, as this explanation of the whole
matter was, it seemed to offer bet
ter solution of the mystery than the
more tragic ones my fancy previously
suggested.
So that it was In rather a shamefaced
manner that presently went on deck
among the rest OF the passengers. 1
felt that had been tricked, and 1 be-
gan to wonder how many Of the rest
OF them had been led into the secret Of
my discontinue.
And in the midst Of my reseutful
musing suddenly CAME upon pretty
- y
herself, and in tears.
Miss Atkinsonl Why, what'a the
matterT said I, really forgetting my
own worries at the sight of her acute
distress.
She looked up at me and made a
feeble attempt to dry her eyes.
"oh, it's nothing" said she. Eat
laAst-you wouldn't mindi"
4 should mind anything that made
you unhappy ! said. earnestly. MAY
sit here?"
She gave me look liked. It was
partly look Of amusement, partly one
OF surprise, and partly, too. one of
kindness.
Yves, you may" she said at last.
"But you'll soon go away again when
tell you what I've been crying about"
mo, I shan't," said I.
Eyes, yes" she said, gravely. at
iant in human nature for you to stay
when I tell you frankly that I'm cry
ing because" Her pretty face puck.
cred up again, because Dick Mulltou's
been unkind to me-"
'The beastl" murmured I, gently.
whats he been unlind about?p
Il think it's only because he's mis-
cradle" said Jennie, dismally. "Be-
cause he knows that papa doesn't like
him, and has forbidden me to think
about him. AS if you could stop girl
from thinking about anybodyl" :.
II think it's great pity you don't
find somebody better to think about"
said I frankly and gravely.
"oh, of. course" snapped Jennie. II
expected that. You think"
stop bitl" interrupted, I. 81
know what you're going to say, and
you're all wrong. I don't think you
would do better to think about me In
stead of about him; because l know
what girls are; and 1 know you look
upon me as sorry little whipper-
snapper with freckles and my sandy
hair, and you admire man like Null