The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-07-06

with the ge%ntleness of a snowflake?
There was an interval of several mo
ments before L could open my eyes, anG
when did so there was not u soul ex
cept myself in the room.
For some time l lay in a languiG
state. my brain too indolent to trouble
Itself about the person who had kissed
me-lf 1t We're Il kiss. But at length ]
was aroused by the opening of a door
and a ome after 81 woman stood by
my bedside. She was young and there
was an understandable charm about her
presence. Yet, even In my indolent
state, 1 realized that she was not hand
some.
You are better?" she sale in a sweet,
firm voice.
The hand which she placed upon my
forehead as she spoke was firm in Its
touch also, and L Instinctively realized
that the owner possessed a resolute ma
ture in spite of her gentlenesS.
IL have been very ill?" l inquired,
In a voice which somehow sounded to
me as strange n new as her own.
You had Il fall n was injured" she
said, adding with an eager look which L
did not then understand, but l suppose
you do not recall your adventure?"
II do not remember" was my inlif-
ferent response.
II would not try. It doesn't matter at
all. Here is something YOU were to
drink when you awoke to consciousness
If you did awake. lei you We're to
go to sleep directly"
She paused, and 81 short, gray-bearded
man, who's presence had not before
been noticed, advanced. and l Felt The
power OF his gaze upon me. 1 say
power, because he was unquestionably
a man Of great magnetic force. aside
from his skill in medical practice.
"10Yl Rar1nWo said INV n1IvSa and
then. in her quiet way, she withdrew.
You will be all right again In a few
days. sir" were his first words, spoken
with an assurance that uuteted the
slight tlutter in my mind which threat
ened to confuse me.
II aln glad to hear you say So" I re-
piled.
You were found upon the road and
were picked up for dead They brought
you here and I attended you"
Again I started up in bed. and this
time h doctor restrained me only
partially He regarded mo with deep
interest. but betrayed not the slight
est sign of anxiety, although he must
have been intensely anxious all the
While. The flood of queries which,, half
incoherently, had already shaped them
selves in my mind now rushed to my
lips.
How came I in the road?" I de-
handed.
And before DR.. Barlow could have
uttered a reply, had he tried to do SO,
l rapidly continued:
And when was I found there? And
whose house is this? And my pleas
ant voiced nurse-who is she? Doc
tor, tell me-who am II"
You met with your misfortune some
three weeks ago." he said In his even
tones. This is my house. n the
young nurse is my daughter. 1t is
nothing so very unusual for a person,
under some violent shock. either phys
ical or mental, to lose for a time all
recollection of past events. and ever
of ones W identity. You will re-
your person to give us a clew to your
NAME, but for the sake of convenience.
since we must call you something, my
daughter has called you Paul Conway.
If you do not fancy the name you may
adopt any other until your memory re-
calls the one to which you are en-
titled"
My physical recovery from that day
was rapid. Within a week I was dressed
and able to walk about my room; in
another week 1 was strolling about the
doctors tasteful grounds. listening to
the songs of birds, enjoying the luxury
OF the fresh verdure and June sun
shine. Miss Barlow was with me fire.
quently. and l was presently puzzled
by a conviction that she watched my
movements. studied my c~ountenance.l
and even appeared to wish to keep me
nde constant surveillance.
One day, as we were strolling down
the garden path. l abruptly said to
her:
Il think 1 am quite well and strong
work at something" For 1t had more
once occurred to me that. with
other things, L had forgotten the means
OF gaining a livelihood which I must
once have possessed.
Perhaps you do not need to work,
II you could My remember who you
are. Perhaps you are a man Of wealth ?"
said Miss Barlow, with one Of her|
smiles which always made her plain
face so beautiful.
1T will do me little good IL 1 am,
since l do not know it," I replied.
You must remain here until you re-
cover your memory" she said SO decis-
lively that I looked at her In surprise.
"You wish me to stay here as a
charity patient?"
No, no; you will pay my father some
time. You are under his care. yeu
know, and he is ambitious to effect a
cure"
AS she said this she laid one hand in
I'll eager. earnest way upon my arm. I
felt that, looking into my eyes as she
did then, she could not fail to read my
heart, and in impassioned words I es-
GU ~ kClI 4lCl VI litc oCSp, pure !CNe L
which 1 felt for her. But she checked
me in a hurried, anxious and
hurried into the house, leaving mo alone:
20 ponder upon the strangeness of my
situation. AS I stood under The shadow
Of a high-growing hedge I heard the
of voices upon the other side.
"All I want is a good look at him."
one in a subdued voice. st can spot
aim easily enough. You say this invalid
guest of the Barlows is of dark COM
plexion. and not over tall?''
THAT is his description" declared the
And that he came here about ten
weeks ago."
Yes"
You have seen him strolling about
the grounds. you say? And did you no.
tice one hand-his left one. I %believe3"
"It has a red scar across the back of
It. Yes: l noticed that"
Good! Then there remains scarce
the shadow of a doubt that he is the
man. But 1 must make haste slowly.
detectives have to keep our eyes
1t is possible the Barlow girl"
Retiring early to my room. l was
by a sense of drowsiness. and
Fall ocloan T., ~, ,c1 4, f; :. 80, ~,,, L.