Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-06-11


was pressing against the brain tissue.
Hestor agreed to submit to an oper-
alton, but postponed it and went on
another cruise. He suffered no fur
| Their attack, and the incident was
forgotten by Mr.. Van Horne. 1t was
wildly recalled when Chalmers wired
his suspicious.
An examination at the hospital dis
closed the fact that the Seymour bull
let had plowed it's course past the
point where Hestor had sustained
| the blow some IA months before.
| Without going into details of SUI
gerry, it is sufficient to say that the
gun shot wound exposed and par
| tally relieved the blood clot; the
existence of which had been sus-
pected. 1t was successfully removed.
For month Hestor lowered on the
border line, and then slowly moved
away from the danger point. Sidney
Hammond and Mr.. Van Horne alter
mated in remaining in New Orleans
until he was on the road to recovery.
Hestor had no recollection of events
subsequent to the Chinese expedition.
In his delirium he imagined himself
at the head of his men in that far
away Celestial empire. When he
awoke from this fantasy, clothed in
| his right mind, he recognized Sidney
Hammond and greeted him with
pleased but mystified smile.
''How came you here, dear old fell
/ low?" he asked as he reached out
wasted hand. ''What are you doing
in China? What is the matter with
/ me? All, 1 remember now! That
| pig-tailed beggar hit me on the head.
But where did you come from, Sid
ney?"
Sidney made a non-committal an
swer and warned Hestor that he
must not talk or disturb himself in
any way until he regained his
strength. During the period of con-
valescence Hestor's curiosity was too
great to be denied, and Sidney evolved
I. wonderful fabrication, which gave
rational explanation of how Hestor
happened to be in New Orleans,
rather than in some city of the
flowery kingdom. 1t was apparent
Hestor did not believe or understand
this statement; but like all invalids,
he was compelled to accept with the
best possible grace what was offered
him.
The physicians in charge of the
case prepared statement in which
it was set forth that Mr.. Hestor had
been suffering from clearly-de-
fined attack of amnesia, preceded by
period of mild dementia. 1t pos
sessed many remarkable features,
but was by no means unprecedented.
"Do you believe his recovery per-
manent one, doctor?" asked Sidney,
anxiou1ly.
z. "Quien sabe?" replied DR.. Brown.
"There is no reason why it should
not be a permanent one. The cause
is removed, and Hestor is now appar-
emily in full possession of his fac
ulties. He is strong, healthy man,
and there is no faint of insanity in
his family. The truth must be kept
from him until he has entirely re-
gained his physical strength. He
should take a long ocean cruise, in
company with some one in whom he
has complete confidence. That means
you
When these facts were explained
to Mr.. Morton and his associates,
they were unanimous in a decision
to take no legal steps against Mr..
Hestor, or against Capt. Waters.
They were satisfied to await Hestor's
complete recovery. and were conf
dent that he would make honorable
amends when acquainted with the
facts.
4 One afternoon Sidney informed
Hestor that the physicians had adj
vised an ocean cruise, and that he
would be permitted to go on board
, the SHARK" in about two weeks.
| Hestor urged that he should 60 to
New York and attend to certain
business affairs. This was not lis
tened to. and it was finally arranged
that Hestor give Mr.. Hammond
power of attorney to look after such
matters as required attention. Mr..