The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-09-27

approach along the dusty high road Of
strange hor~eman.
Travellers being few and far between
in these parts. ii was with some curt
osity that the doctor awaited Il nearer
view OF the rider As the distance be-
tween them Iessencl however, his look
OF mild aud nicdl:ative wonder as
sumed kcencr and more startled
expression
singular" he muttered. "very sin
gular He rides Just % the laird him
self used 10 ride wonder what
brings him to this gnte:" he muscI
lie seems stranger. ana yet he ear
r;es himself as II he kennel the place
God bless my soul, believe the mans
coming here" lie calculated. rs the
rider drew into the side Of The road
and finally brought Up at the doctors
gate
For space the gentleman. for be
was dressed in the latest fashion fail
ing to note tie G5ctor. who WAS hidden
from view liy lanrcl bush sat bis
beast ana scanned tie horse. GcstroEs
apparently OF attracting The attention
of whatsoever was al3;it.
"aIay ! ass. s.r. II can be OF any
scrvleel'' saitl ne owner, rising. with
ii somewhat pcrtnracl 5sk on lis face
TIA, Leslie, YOU are still to the fore
then. Why. confound II, thought
when r looked In inst now, that the
place had changed hands. TUT. tut,
man. what's taken yons Cad" laugh
ed the horseman az he swung of
his beast and held our his hand to
the doctor, HIf my wife and family
welcome my return III the same fash
Ion, shull'-
1Merclfnl powers!' ejaculstc the
doctor ais he gael at the brick rel evil
face, from the left temple to the jaw
bone grewsone scar. sAIerciful pow
ers. allveir
"come. come. doctor demonstrated
the stranger joeularly you surely
couldn't expect NE to turn up in any
other way. Eleven years do make d
difference. and-well dare say you
all gave me up for dcad. eh? All. /
thought so.'' he added as the doctor
nodded. "1t's Just as wen should
have come here first But. filth you
don't seem too well pleased 10 see
me. Is there another bird In tile ncs.:''
he demanded of Sudden. a lowering
expression in his eyes.
No, no. stammercd the doctor has
lily; mo, no, laird. no YOU knnw TINT
could never be. But cot1e gour ways
III We must have h worl Or two in
private. Such q home coming as this
requires careful management. I'm
I'm unbelievable"
why POUNDS. there Won arr. right"
said the Laird or Druai. "A man
can't be cut Of bis rights ~ tong Ana
hope to slip into EN- ngain without
word said. Besides. 1t would Ia IA
well TINT some ohe y3ursolf for cho.ce
should take them up.
Yes, yes" answered the d3ctor
sob ewiiat distraciedly. pushing Tho
laird hurriedly into the house is If
afraid he might be seen, "ycs. yes. III
sec TO your beast and the ordering Of
something for yourself step ia, man.
I'll be with you III a ilffy" Whereupon
he thrust the laird into the parlor ana
went out muttering. Good Lord. what
o home coming and whit changer
When he was come back and his I'm.
expected guest had satisfied the cray.
ings of hunger and thirst they lit their
pipes and fell into talk about the man
ner Of the laird's disappearance aud Of
All the wonderful things that had be
CHANGED him since.
YES. doctor said the wandercr as
heAleancd back III his chair and sighed
but whether from an excess Of emo
tion or drink 1t would be hard I'd say.
yes he nodded, rounding OH his sto.
ry. live lad a--;l hard time of IT over
since ! was trepanned For Xix ycars
worked as d slave on the plantations
before ] manageable escape, ana when
did 1t was only to fall from the f,y-
Ing pan into the fire. Iii fine. mtn.
Just when thought myself home cur
galley was brought to by a frlgnte.
and |, with others, was pressed into
the service or the king Yes, Eve had
asbad time OF It from first TO last But.
after ALL" he sighed again, ''its per-
haps just as well that should have
had It. AS you once said you rcmem
Der our conversation tliat night. Oh?
AS You said then, didn't know any
filing about life. do now, and. thank
God, think am none the worsc.n
Here he paused 4 moment to look at
his companion. as IL he would gather
his sentiments on that head, but IL the
doctor had his doubts his countcnancc
betrayed nothing; Il was now unread
able.
AYE; ! make no question OF that.
heresponded grnvely.
Well" continued the laird, after 4
long silence. II suppose It's no use
troubling 'cm tonrhtY''
"Why, no." returned the doctor slow
iy.N az IL uncertain how 10 speak.
WHY no; nor tomorrow either, laird.
Y No." hc went on, with great soleninI-
AK: NOR un eternity of tomorrows.'
Coed heavens. Leslie! What 40 YOU
me.suY' exclaimed the laird angrlly.
IA thought YOU said the wife--conround
II. man. N she's mnrricu again. shy 40
a.. a 49,.