Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-06-29

1
But 1t makes 1t easier in way. :"
Amber fell thoughtful again.
lows that. sir-if my ask"
This way" said Amber: Before
he died, Mr. Rutton asked me to do
him a service. l agreed. He sug'
gested that take you with me-"
I'm ready. sir" interrupted Dog
gott eagerly. There's no gentleman
Id like to valet for better than your
self"
But there will be dangers, Dog
gott-I don't know precisely what.
That's the rub: we'll have to travel
halfway round the world and face I'M
known perils. If Mr.. Rutton were
right about 1t, we'll be lucky to get
away with our lives"
I'll go. sir; It was is wish. I'll
go with you to India, Mr.. Amber"
Very well. -. :" Amber spoke
abstractedly, reviewing his plans.
But" he enquired suddenly. 81 didn't
mention India. How did you know"
WHY suppose l must ave
guessed It, sir. 1t seemed so likely.
knowing what do about Mr.. Rutton."
Amber sat silent, unable to bring
himself to put a single question in re-
gard to the dead mans antecef snts.
But after pause the servant contin-
ued voluntarily
HE always 'ad a deal to do with
persons who came from India-nig-
gers-I mean, natives. II didn't much
matter where we'd be-London or
Paris or Berlin or Rome-they'd unit
i'm up; some ed give money to and
they'd go aw'y: others ed be locked
up with In Is study for hours, talking.
talking. They'd 'ardly ever come the
same one twice. e 'ated 'em all, Mr..
Rutton did. And yet. sir, l always
'ad a suspicion"
Doggott hesitated. lowered his voice.
his gaze shifting uneasily to the still.
shrouded figure in the corner.
WHAT" demanded Amber tensely.
II alw'ys thought per'aps e was
what We call in England a man Of
color, imself. sir"
"Doggott!"
II don't mean no arm. sir; It was
Just their 'ounding him. like, and is
being a dark-complected man the
syme as them, and speakin' their Ian
guage so ready, that made me think
It. At least e might ave 'ad little
of their blood in i'm. sir. Things d
seem unaccountable otherwise" con.
cluded Doggott vaguely.
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE" cried Amber.
yes. sir; at least, mean 'ope so,
sir. Not that It'd myke any difference
to me- the wye I felt towards i'm. E
was gentleman. white or black. Id
We died for i'm any dy."
"DoZgott!" The Virginian had risen
and was pacing excitedly to and fro
"Doggott! don't ever repeat one word
of this to man or woman-while
you're faithful to the memory OF Mr..
Rutton."
The servant stared. visibly i'm
pressed. VERY good, Mr.. Amber. I'll
remember. sir. / don't ordinarily gos-
sip, sir; but you and him being so
thick, and everything 'appening to-
night so 'orrible, l forgot myself. /
'ope you'll excuse me. sir"
God in heaven!" cried the young
man hoarsely. 1T can't be true" He
flung himself into his chair, burying
his face in his hands. 1T can't"
Yet irresistibly the conviction was
being forced upon him that Doggott
had surmised Alright. Circumstances
backed up circumstance within his
knowledge of or his experience with
the man, all seeming to proven incon-
testably the truth of what at the first
blush had seemed so incredible. What
did he, Amber, know OF Ruttons par
entage or history that would refute
the calm belief of the body-servant
of the dead man?
And then Amber's intelligence was
smitten by a thought as by a.Nclub;
and he began to tremble violently, I'M
comfortably, being weakened by IA
tigue and the strain of that endless,
terrible night. A strangled cryS es-
capped him without his knowledge:
Sophia" 1t
Sophia Farrell. the woman he had
promised to wed, nay even the woma4
he loved with all his being-a half
breed, a mulatto! His mind sickene4
with the horror of that thought.
His very soul seemed to shudder
and his reason cried out that the
thing could never be. Yet in
his heart of hearts still he loved her,
still desired her with all his strength
and will; in his heart there was no
wagering. Whatever Rutton had been,
whatever his daughter might be, he
loved her. And more, the honor Of
the Ambers was in pledge. holding
him steadfast to his purpose to seek
her out in India or wherever she
might be and to bear her away from
the unnamed danger that threatened
her-even to marry her, IL she would
have him. He had promised; his word
had passed; there could now be no
withdrawal. e..
An hour elapsed, its passing rau-
cously emphasized by the tin clock.
Amber remained at the table. hIshead
upon It, his face hidden by his arms,