Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-05-28
CHAPTER XVI.
Tho Entrance Of Chico.

her hide was lathered with foam, Whlie
we dashed along In the binding storm
and finally galloped through the gate
way and up the winding road toward
the house. The snow was drifting
heavily and MacArdel leaned over the
side OF the sleigh and held the lantern
close to the ground so that could see
such little traces Of the road as re
maiped or we would have been ditched
dozen times In our mad race to the
dying girl.
Suddenly, as We neared the house
and at place where the drifts were
deeper and the exhausted horse strug
gled heavily in her effort to make her
way on, a man sprang out Of the sleet
and, grasping the animal by the head
threw her backward with almost SUI
perhuman strength and brought us to
q standstill.
what do you meant" shouted,
raising the whip high over my head.
Let us 90 on or I'll brain you!
Don't strike, Mr.. Ware!" he gasped,
tits Bobbs, sir! You remember
Bobbs!"
Let US pass, Bobbs!" I exclaimed,
angrily, losing my establishment in my
anxiety to reach the house. 'Ill see
you again, Bobbs! It's the doctor,
here, for Miss Weston!"
Il know, sir" he painted, "and It's
the doctor want! She's gone, sir,
and I'm afraid he's going, too Come
with me, for Gods sake!"
do you mean she's dead, Bobbs?"
L cried, as great lump rose in my
throat.
Eyes, oh, yes!" he almost screamed.
THE doctor can't do her. no good!
She died some half hour ago, and he's
dying. too, l tell you! Have you no
heart, sir? Oh. bring the doctor to
him, In Gods name!"
4 Can We driver" asked, suddenly,
realizing the fellows meaning and ap:
preciating the uselessness OF our 60
Ing on to the house. 5,5 81
NO." he replied, "but It's only .
step, sir. I'll show you the way. Oh,
thought you would never come, isir!"
We sprang out and. giving Bobbs
the lantern, followed him through the
snow to the side Of the house on
which Miss Weston's windows opened.
HE doesn't know she's gone yet"
said Bobbs, as he trudged along, light
ing our way as best he could. But he
knows 1t must be soon, and he's been
waiting out here In the storm for over
six hours" .a@
We came to 4 tree, partly sheltered
by some shrubbery around 1t, and
there, leaning against its trunk was
poor John Carney, tottering feebly for
support and gazing fxedly at the win
dow behind which lay the body OF his
loved one.
!, Its Mr.. Carney, sir" explained
Bobbs. choking down Sob You
might not know him, sir. he's changed
SO in the year and it's long bit since
you saw him last"
MacArdel made no move to 60 near
him and we stood there, I in expecta-
tion and MacArdel with an air Of pro-
fessionah scrutiny. Carney spoke, but
without turning his head" 5
II know you, Ware" he said slowly
and painfully, raising his voice feebly
to make 1t heard above the fury Of the
storm '.You have been good to Flor
snce and so to me-ant--I thank you.
j can't say more than that, Ware, but
my thanks are heartfelt
He paused and seemed to choke for
an instant before he resumed:
You must pardon me, Ware, for all
the trouble I've made you and for the
worry that Florence has had tossuher,
but. was too sure Of myself when I
thought | could brighten you away
with the ghosts that lBobbs and man
ufaetured and the letters that l had
him write you. No one knew we were
here but Bobbs' good mother, and
she's been more than mother to me-.
Ware. You must never let her want
for anything as long as she lives. She
and Bobbs must be well provided for
when I'm gone, Ware"
He stopped again and gasped ,heav-
lily for breath, but sosn he recovered
himself and went on, though more
.eebly and with greater effort than be-
.ore:
81 know l was foolish to do this,
Ware, but at first / fancied could
.tay here and keep out of sight of the
! lthorittes and then,l whom I needed
exercise, we thought Of the ghosts as
j means of keeping people away and
giving me more freedom
i He had not taken his eyes from the
in all this time and the snow
was falling so heavily that we were
covered thickly with It's soft, fleecy
mantle.
Again he began to speak while we
stood as men entranced, but his voice
was even weaker than before and it
was with difficulty that we could make
out all that he said.
"Ill be gone soon, Ware, and you
must keep it all from the people and
have me buried at once. You know
here would be panic if they knew.
and yet there would be no danger IL
his climate. It's only when you live
right in the midst of it, Ware, and
nave it on all sides of you all the time.
IS l did in Hawaii. trying to help
hose poor souls in their sufferings.
There's no danger, Ware, to any
one and yet, If they'd found me I'd