Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-01

fpOUk6u like the uMr5VSH Slluulp VI
tree. Close to her hand was a toler-
ably fat stone, on which l saw ar
ranged a number of bottles and such
other comforts as were absolutely nee
essary to proper care of the suf-
ferer
That was add. In these few words
| have told the whole story. To be
sure, this simple tent, perched seven
thousand feet and more above sea
level, had one advantage which even
his great house in New York could
not offer. This was the outlook. Lying
as he did facing the valley, he had
only to open his eyes OF catch full
view of the panorama Of sky and
mountain stretched out before him.
1t was glorious; whether seen at
morning, noon OF night, glorious. But
l doubt If he would not gladly have
exchanged it for a sight of his home
walls.
AS I started to go, stir took place
in the blanket wrapped about his chin,
and / caught glimpse of the iron
gray head and hollow cheeks Of the
great financier. He was a very sick
man. Even / could see that. Had I
obtained the permission I sought and
then allowed to ask him one of the
many questions burning on my tongue,
should have received only delirium
for reply. There was no reaching
that clouded intelligence now, and l
felt grateful to the doctor for convinc-
ing me Of it.
told him so and thanked him quite
,1.,t,a from
the tent, and his answer was almost
kindly, though he made no effort to
hide his Impotence and anxiety to see
me go. The looks he cast at the sun
were significant, and, having no wish
to antagonize him and every wish to
visit the spot again, moved toward
my horse with the intention Of untying
him.
To my surprise the doctor held me
back.
"You can't go tonight" said he,
''your horse has hurt himself"
1t was true There was something
the matter with the animals left fore.
foot AS the doctor lifted 1T, the man.
ager came up. He agreed with the
doctor. could not make the descent
to Santa Fe on that horse that night.
Did I feel elated? Rather. had no
wish to descend. Yet was far from
foreseeing what the night was to bring
me.
1 was turned over to the manager
but not without final Injunction from
the doctor. mot word to any one
about your errand! Not a word about
the New York tragedy, as you value
Mr.. Fairbrothers life"
"Not word" said I.
/ Then he left me.
To see the sun go down and the
moon come up from a ledge hung, as
it were, in mid air! The experience
was novel-but refrain. l have more
important matters to relate.
l was given bunk at the extreme
end OF the long sleeping tent, ant
, turned in with the rest. I expected tt
sleep, but on finding that could catc1
sight of the sick tent from undet
!, the canvas, experienced such fascin
, alton in watching this forbidden spo
that midnight came before had closet
my eyes. Then all desire to sleep lief
me, for the patient began to moan anu
presently to talk, and, the stiffness o
, the solitary height being something alb
normal, I could sometimes catch th,
, very words. Devoid as they were o
all rational meaning, they excited m:
curiosity to the burning point; TO
: who could tell If he might not sa
something bearing on the mystery?
But that fevered mind had recurrep
y to early scenes and the babble whic
came to my ears was all Of minin
!. camps in the Rockies and the dicke
of horses. Perhaps the uneasy move
:, ment of my horse pulling at the en-
!, of his tether had disturbed him. PEI
: haps-
But at the inner utterance Of tn
9 second perhaps" found myself u
;, on my elbow listening with all m
= ears, and staring with wide-stretche
= eyes at the thicket of stunted tree
. where the road debouched on the pla
;. form. Something was astir there b,
q sides my horse. could catch sound
!. of an unmistakable nature. A ride
q was coming UP the trail
d Slipping back into my place,
r turned toward the doctor, who la
o some two or three hunks nearer til
h opening. He had started UP, too, an
n in a moment was out of the tent.
q do not think he had observed my a
J. etion, for lit was very dark where / Is
j. and his back had been turned towal
X me. AS for the others, they slept LII
I the dead, only they made more nois
t. Interested verythimg Is interes
Le ing ait such a height brought n
le eye to bear ON the ledge, and soc
ID saw by the limpid light Of full not
s. the stiff, short branches Of the tree
1T on which my gaze was fixed, give wv
10 to an advancing horse and rider.
1T "Halloo!" saluted the doctor in
9. whisper. which was in itself war
ing. Easy there! We have sic
lie ness in this camp and it's a late no
III for visitors"
n II know"
The answer was subdued, but ea1
y, est.
It, I'm the magistrate of this distri,
lr I'VE question to ask this sick me-
Id on behalf of the New York Chief
" III