Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-10-12

"Ah! that is what | cannot tell"
said Rich with a shudder. 81 was
better this morning, and more hope.
full. My poor father seemed a little
clearer in his mind, but the past is
all a blank TO him"
He knew me, dear, when l came
yesterday
"Oh, yes! and he knows me well
enough. He talks sensibly about what
is going on around him; but that
night when he was struck down, the
blows seemed TO break away the
connection between the present and
the past. The physician, who has
seen him, says very little, but | can
see that he considers the case hope
less"
ooh, don't say that, dear! We
must all hope. / hope to be some
thing better some day than a poor
teacher Come up now, and help me
to persuade Mark to have in the
police"
mo, no." cried Rich hastily.
''Why not, dear?" Think what it
means il it is true about the
diamonds, and we could get them
back"
"But it cannot be true. Janet: AMI
as to the police, they make me shud-
der. They were at our house this
morning to sec Hendon, and with
him my father, to try whether they
could revive his memory. and get hold
of a clue TO those men who came to
/ haf ,srvhf nj
found out nothing. They say they
are strainmg every nerve now to find
that poor boy. They think he must
hold the clue"
IT think l could find it all out If |
tried" SAID Janet. Had your father
any enemies?"
Richmond shook her head.
amy one to whom he owed
money!"
Richmond started and her thoughts
reverted to POINTER.
mo, no, no-impossible! Let it
rest, dear. l have thought over it,
till it nearly drives me mad!" she
cried excitedly.
ct is very strange" continued
Janet musingly. Il don't like to let
it rest, and there is our trouble, too.
Rich dear, has il ever occurred to you
that il must have been the same
night when poor Mark was found
wandering about?"
NO"
Eyes, dear. l have calculated it out
from what the hospital sister told me.
II was the same night"
Rich looked at her wonderingly.
1T was, DEAR" continued Janet.
while you had that horror at home,
l was sleeping here comfortably, and
poor Mark was wandering about the
cruel streets half Wild"
Rich made a gesture to her friend
to be silent, and Janet passed her
arm about her waist, to lead her
upstairs, but with the full determine
ton TO try and make some investiga-
ton. For though there were times
when the thought of her brother haN
ing brought home a bag of diamonds
seemed mythical, and the birth of his
diseased agination-especially as
he never named them now-at other
times visions of comparative wealth
had como TO her, in the midst of
which she seemed to see herself with
Hendon, and her old companion and
her brother happily looking on.
Mark was seated gazing moodily at
the fire as Richmond entered with his
sister, and he rose to take her hands,
and lead her to a chair.
But somehow both seemed con-
strained and troubled by thoughts
which they kept from each other.
II know said Janet to herself, 'it's
that dreadful money which is keeping
them apart, and if / don't do some
thing, Mark will be going off again to
seek his fortune, and it is like con-
demning poor Rich and himself to a
life of misery and waiting"
She sat working, but furtively
watching the others all the while.
This poverty is killing us ALL" she
said to herself at last, land l will
speak. 1t may be true, and he shall
do something to find out"
Mark dear" she said aloud, 81
have something to say"
Indeed! Well, what is it?"
1--WE come to the conclusion that,
now you are better, you ought to
speak out like a man, and"
"Stop!" he said hoarsely.
"No, Mark, l shall not STOP" cried
Janet decidedly. "You say that you
went TO a friends house that night
with ali your money and-and
treasure"
Girl! will you be silent?" he cried
savagely.
NO" said Janet, laughing. 81 want
you to see this matter as l do. Who
ever this man is, he ought to be
forced to give up what he must have
stolen from you. If you will not stir,
| shall"
"You will?"
Eyes; l shall take counsel with
lHendon again."
again p" almost YELLED Mark