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

| tree. Close to her hand was a tOler.
ably fiat stone, on which l saw ar.
ranged a number of bottles and such
other comforts as were absolutely nee
essary to a proper care of the SUI
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
mountain stretched out before him.
1t was glorious; whether seen at
morning, noon or night, glorious. But
l doubt If he would not gladly have
exchanged it for sight of his home
walls.
AS started to 60, 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 l could see that. Had |
obtained the permission 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 1t.
told him so and thanked him quite
warmly when we were we'll away from
1 49,, =. L., IL
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, I 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 l feel elated? Rather. had no
wish to descend. Yet I was far from
foreseeing what the night was to bring
me.
1 was turned over to the manager,
but not without a final Injunction from
| the doctor Not word to any one
about your errand! Not a word about
the New York tragedy as you value
! Mr. Fairhrpt1,o orc life
mot a word said I.
Then he left me.
To see the sun go down and the
moon come up from ledge hung, as
it were, in mid air! The experience
was novel-but refrain. have more
important matters to relate.
was given a bunk at the extreme
end OF the long sleeping-tent, and
turned in with the rest. l expected to
sleep, but on finding that could catch
a sight Of the sick tent from under
the canvas, experienced such fascin-
alton in watching this forbidden spot
that midnight came before / had closed
my eyes. Then all desire to sleep left
me, for the patient began to moan and
presently to talk, and, the stiffness Of
| CllO SS1ICdiS hOhS51C DCliSo SOlUSIllllE SUU-
normal, could sometimes catch the
very words. Devoid as they were of
all rational meaning, they excited my
curiosity to the burning point; for
who could tell if he might not say
something bearing on the mystery?
But that fevered mind had required
to early scenes and the babble which
came to my ears was all of mining
camps in the Rockies and the dicker
| of horses. Perhaps the uneasy move
ment of my horse pulling at the end
of his tether had disturbed him. Per
| haps-
| But at the inner utterance Of the
second perhaps" I found myself I'D
on my elbow listening with all nv
ears, and staring with wide-stretched
eyes at the thicket of stunted trees
where the road debouched ON the plat
form. Something was astir there be-
sides my horse. l could catch sounds
of an unmistakable nature A rider
was coming UP the trail.
Slipping back into my place, |
turned toward the doctor, who lay
some two or three hunks nearer the
opening. He had started UP, too, and
in a moment was out of the tent. I
do not think he had observed my &C
Etion, for 1T was very dark where lay
and his back had been turned toward
me. AS for the others, they slept like
the dead, only they made more noise.
Interested erything Is interest
ing ait such height brought my
eye to bear ON the ledge, and soon
saw by the lfmpid light Of a full moon
the stiff, short branches Of the trees,
on which my gaze was fixed, give way
to an advancing horse and rider.
''Halloo!" saluted the doctor in a
whisper. which was in itself warn.
ing. Easy there! We have sick
ness in this camp and it's late hour
for visitors"
IT know"
The answer was subdued, but earn.
est.
''Im the magistrate Of this district.
I've a question to ask this sick man,
on behalf of the New York Chief OF
Police, who is a personal friend OF
! mine TT is comment ad wif1-D