The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1904-11-17
CHAPTER xxxni.


5teeie NhfNcn was reading When
Edith Hancock rushed into her
Too impatient 20 wait. she leaned
ove Iessie's shoulder. The note bore
the letterhead OF a hotel and was
written In a firm but scrawiing hand.
II read.
Miss Jessie Garden,
"Mr, James Blake has been serious.
" wounded by a pistol shot and may
not recover. He wishes TO see you.
II possible, come at once.
SAMUEL J.. ROUNDS"
When the purport OF the message
dawned upon her. Edith snatched the
paper from Jessie's hand and de
voured IL with straining eyes.
He may not %recoveri' she moaned.
He may not reeoveri oh. what has
happened? I am going to hint He.
shat. not diet hurry, Jessie. hurry"
Two white-faced girls rushed in
upon General Garden. His lips com
pressed as he read the message.
This Is Morris work" he said.
Tell the messenger we will come at
once"
The hotel entrance was blocked by
a mob when the Bishop carriage drew
up. The blue helmets Of police Of
hcers formed a line which marked
the edge Of a struggling crowd.
zone moment, siri' ordered an Of
hcer holding his baton in front OF Gen
eral Garden. Make way for the am
bulance corps!"
The folding doors of the side en-
trance opened and four men slowly
advanced bearing a stretcher. 1t con.
toned a motionless mass covered
with q white cloth. Jessie chung 70
her fathers arm.
With a low cry Edith Hancock
sprang forward and raised the cloth.
She looked into the dead, staring eyes
Of Arthur Morris. The bearers paus-
ed while she gazed i~ntently at the
face. She ~nervously replaced the Gov
ering and turned to Jessie and her
father.
It's Arthur Morris! He's dead.
Perhaps it is all a mistake about Mir.
Blake. Find out. general; find out
at oncel Wen wait for you here"
General Garden returned and silent.
ly conducted Jessie and Edith to a
room on the second floor.
A case OF surgical instruments lay
on the center table, but the room had
no occupant. AS they stood hesitat
ingly by the entrance, the door con.
Meeting an adjoining opened
and a tall man with red hair. SHARP
niue eyes AND enormous hands enter
co, Jessie recognized Sam Rounds.
'T1eou dew ye dol" be said softly
advancing with IN awkward bow.
Sorry tew meet you in such a place
but ne bitter goes With the sweet
Jim's badly hurt, ant he has a chance
so the doctors say"
In whispers the tour talked OF the
tragedy. Sam mad entered the hotel
Office Just before the FIRST shot Vas
fred.
1T all happened so quick / couidni.
do a thing. %, Sam explained. The.
second shot fred by Morris just miss
ed-some one else-some one Jim.
was tryin'. tew save--an went
through the top Of Mr.. Hawkins hat
Morris was dead before be struck the
floor
The door opened and a grave-faced
surgeon entered the room.
Miss CardeR may see Mr.. Blake
for q few minutes be said.
In the dimly lighted room Jessie
| Garden saw two hgures.-one propped
up with pillows so that only the head
and arms showed against the white
llnen. The curling, black locks fell
back from the pale brow. and the
handsome face seemed chiseled IN
/ purest marble.
l. Ito be contiuuedl
Answered the Call.
On the bank OF the Mohawk river
midway between Amsterdam and
Tribes Hill. New York, Is TIE farm OF
Aaron Pepper. The proprietor Is the
~possessor OF several horses, and
among them one that Is blind. OF
which Our Dumb Animals tells this
story;
The horses frequently resort to the
Islands ~ the river for pa%sturaEe.
They ford the stream at a point near
the dwelling. and the blind mare
usually follows the others. During a
recent froshct the horses attempted
20 return. while Mr. Pepper. anxious
as % the result. stood watching them
from the north shore Two horses
and colts had entered the stream.
then their blind companion followed.
In a few minutes all were strug.
Cling against the rapid current and
falling TO make any Roadway. the
leaders sought the large island, while
the blind beast became separated
from thom and drifted a considerable
distance below until she gained a
foothOld.
Then. discovering the loss OF her
mates. and realizing her helpless con
dition. she gave a plaintiye whiuny.
Ono Of the animals. upon hearing H..
re-entered the stream. and swimming
10 rs unfortunate companion. touch
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