Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-21


lessly to the door, and, opening 1t,
!, peered out. The wide hall was now in
a darkness. Levi had, apparently, obey
ed his orders and gone to bed. And
yet, so faithful was he to his trust
that nobody could ever enter that
house without him being aware Of
the identity of the visitor.
Sometimes old Sam would regret
the brusque manner in which he
treated the man who was so entirely
/ devoted to him and who shared so
many of his secrets.
But the secret of that night he did
not intend Levi to share. 1t was his
and should be his alone. And for that
reason he was waiting to himself
open the door to his midnight caller.
He was about to close the study
door again when he fancied he heard
a slight movement in the darkness Of
the hall
Levi he exclaimed angrily.
What are you doing there when
ordered you to retire?"
I'm doing my duty" responded the
old servant, advancing out of the
shadow 81 do not wish you to go to
the door alone, and at night. You do
not take sufficient care of your person.
al safety"
/ Rubbish! l have no fear" he an.
swered as both stood there in the
darkness.
Eyes, but you are injudicious,' de-
clared the old servant. eff not, you
would have needed young Rolfe's
warning, and your present dangerous
position might have been avoided.
Adam means mischief. You surely
can't close your eyes to that"
II know he Does" answered the
millionaire in voice that sounded
harsh and hollow. 81 know was a
fool"
and finally one of them said they
wished him great happiness. He as
sured them he was perfectly happy
and he hoped this was an indication
Of the good will of the citizens toward
him.
Mr., Earle, it will be remembered,
while studying art abroad, fell in love
with French girl, whom he married.
After the birth Of their son he became
aware Of the fact that he did not truly
love his wife. While engaged In So
cialistic work in New York he met his
"You took false step and can't re-
trace it. If you had consulted me l
would have given you my views on
the situation"
Eyes, Levi. You're far too fond of
expounding your views on subjects Of
which you have no knowledge. Your
incessant chatter often annoys me"
was his masters response. eff have
committed an error it is my affair
% RI hn1 q
alone"
81 shall not" was Lewis open re-
ply
I'm master here. l order you to
go!" cried Sam Statham in an angry
commanding tone.
"And I refuse. / will not allow you
to run any further risk"
what do you anticipate" his mas
ter asked with sarcasm. Are you ex-
pecting that my enemies intend to
kill me in secret. If so, can quickly
disabuse your mind 1t would not be
to thsir interests if were dead, for
they could not then bleed me, as is,
no doubt, their intention. know
Adams and his friends"
$50 do l." declared Levi. Whatever
plot they have formed against you
is no doubt clever and ingenious
They are not men to act until every
preparation is complete"
Then why fear for my personal
safety?" asked the millionaire. II al
ways have this-and I can use it,
and he drew from his pocket some
thing which glistened in the darkness
la neat plated revolver.
81 fear, because of late you have
acted so injudiciously"
Through ignorance. believed my
self to be more shrewd than l really
am. You see I admit my failing to
you, Levi. But only to you-to nobody
else. The city believes Sam Stathanl
to possess the keenest mind and
sharpest wits of any man between
/ Temple Bar and Aldgate Strange
isn't it, how each one of us earns a
reputation for something in which he
really does not excel"
tYou excel in disbelieving every
body remarked Levi outspokenly
"If you believed that there was some
little honesty in human nature you
might have been spared the present
danger"
"You mean I'm too suspicious-eh: :
My experience of men has made me
So" he growled "Of the thousand
enemies l possess, is there a man
among them honest? And of my
, friends is there one I can trust = ex
; cept Ben and yourself. of course?"
what about Rolfe?"
Sam Statham hesitated. 1t was q
question put too abruptly-a question
not easily decided on the spur of the
moment OF late, ever since his fail
ure to go to Belgrade, he had enter
tanned some misgivings regarding his
secretary. There was more than one
: point of fact which did not coincide
with Rolfe's statements. The old mar
was quickly suspicious, and once he
scented mystery, it was always Ions
: time before his doubts were allayed
Like every man of great wealth he
had been surrounded by sycophants
who had endeavored to get rich a
his expense. The very men he hat
, helped to fortune had turned round
afterwards and abused and libelet
him. 1t was that which had long age
, soured him against his fellow men
orOr,cod in boorf 1iehoJ;o