Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-09-06

what was going on there, there was
little else but a sleeping tent, cook
ing tent and the small one had come
on first, which without the least doubt
contained the sick man. This last tent
was of a peculiar construction and
showed the primitive nature of every
thing at this height. 1t consisted sim
ply Of a cloth thrown over a thing like
trapeze. This cloth did not even
come to the ground on either side, but
stopped short n foot or so from the
fat mound of adobe which serves as a
base or floor for hut or tent In New
Mexico. The rear of the simple tent
abutted on the mountain side. The
opening was toward the valley felt
an intense desire to look into this open
ing-so intense that l thought 1 would
venture on an attempt to crafty it.
Scrutlnizing the resolute face of the
man before me and flatterlng myself
that l detected signs Of humor under
lying his professional bruskness, l
asked, somewhat mournfully, IL he
would let me go away without so
much as glance at the man l had
come so far to see. "a glimpse would
satisfy me now" assured him as the
hint of a twinkle flashed in his eye.
"Surely there will be no harm in that.
I'll take it instead of supper"
He smiled, but not encouragingly,
and 1 was feeling very respondent in
deed when the canvas on which our
eyes were fixed suddenly shook, and
the calm figure of a woman stepped
out before us, clad in the simplest
garb, but showing in every line of face
and form character of mingled kind
ness and shrewdness. She was evil
IDENTIFY on the lookout for the doctor,
for she made sign as she saw him
and returned instantly into the tent
'Mr. Fairbrother has Just fallen
asleep" he explained. at isn't disci-
pline and l shall have to apologize to
Miss Sierra. but If you will promise
not to speak nor make the least dis
turbEhce l will let you take the one
peep you prefer to supper"
81 promise" said l.
leading the way to the opening, he
whispered u word to the nurse, then
motioned me to look in. The sight
was a simple one, but to me very i'm
presSive. The owner of palaces, a
man to whom millions were as thou
sands to such poor devils as myself,
lay on an improvised bed of ever
greens, wrapped in horse blanket and
with nothing better than another of
these rolled up under his head. At his
side sat his nurse on what looked like
the uneven stump of tree. Close to
her hand was tolerably fiat stone, on
which | saw arranged a number of
bottles and such other comforts as
were absolutely necessary to a proper
care of the sufferer.
That was all In these few words
have told the whole story TO be sure.
this simple tent, perched 1000 feet and
more above sea level, had one advant
age 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
to catch full view of the panorama
of sky and mountain stretched out be
fore him. 1t was glorious; whether
seen at morning, noon or night, glOri-
Gus. But doubt if he would not glad
ly have exchanged 1t for sight of his
home walls.
AS | started to go a stir took place
in the blanket wrapped about his chin.
and | caught a glimpse of the iron
gray head and hollow cheeks of the
great financier. He was very sick
man. Even | could see that. Had
obtained the permission | sought and
been allowed to ask him one of the
many questions burning on my tongue,
l should have received Only delirium
| for reply. There was no reaching that
clouded intelligence now. and | felt
grateful to the doctor for convincing
me of it.
told him so and thanked him quite
warmly when we We're well away 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
We're significant. and having no wish to
antagonize him and every wish to visit
the spot again l moved toward my
horse with the intention of untyinS
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 it the man
apar pa mo I'M He oprpel with rho doe
tor. l could not make the descent to
Santa Fe on that horse that night. Did
feel elatcd? Rather l had no wish
to descend Yet was far from fore
seeing what the night was to bring to
me-
wns turnel nvnr to the mnnarer