Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-08-31

But it makes it easier in a way. :"
Amber fell thoughtful again.
COWS that, sir-if 1 my aSk?"
"This way" said Amber Before
he died, Mr.. Rutton asked me to do
him a service. / agreed. He sug-
gested that / take you with me-"
I'm ready, Sir" interrupted Dog
gott eagerly. There's no gentleman
I'd 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; Wen have to travel
halfway round the world and face I'M
known perils. If MI. Rutton were
right about 1t, we'll be lucky to get
away with our lives"
I'll go, sir; 1t was Is wish. I'll
go with you to India, Mr.. Amber"
Very well. :" Amber spoke
~abstractedly, reviewing his plans.
But" he enquired suddenly, q" didn't
mention India. How did you know"
"Why-T suppose I must ave
guessed 1t, sir. It seemed SO likely,
knowing what l do about Mr.. Rutton."
Amber sat silent, unable to bring
himself to put a single question In re-
gard to the dead mans antecedents.
But after a pause the servant contin-
ued voluntarily.
HE always 'ad a deal to do with
persons who came from India-nig-
gers-I mean, natives. 1t 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 lis study for hours, talking,
talking. They'd 'ardly ever come the
same one twice. e 'ated EN- all, Mr..
Rutton did. And vet, sir, I 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,
Il alw'ys thought per'aps e was
what we call in England a man Of
color, 'imself, sir"
"Doggott!"
Il don't mean no arm, sir; 1t 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 a little
of their blood in i'm, sir. Things d
seem unaccountable otherwise" con.
cluded Doggott vaguely.
ITS impossible!" cried Amber.
YES, sir; at least, l mean l 'ope so
sir. Not that it'd myke any difference
to me, the wye l felt towards i'm. Z
was a gentleman, white or black. II
We died for i'm any d'y."
"Doggott!" The virginian had riser
and was pacing excitedly to and fro
"Doggott! don't ever repeat one wore
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. III
remember. sir. l don't ordinarily COS
sip, sir; but you and him being sc
thick, and everything '~appening to
night SO 'orrible, I 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 prove incon
testably the truth Of what at the first
blush had seemed so incredible. What
did he, Amber, know of Rutton's par
entage or history that would refute
the calm belief of the body-servant
Of the dead man?
And then Amber's intelligence wal
smitten by a thought as by a club;
and he began to tremble violently, un
comfortably, being weakened by ia
tigue and the strain of that endless
terrible night. A strangled cry es
capped him without his knowledge,
"Sophia!"
Sophia Farrell, the mi he hat
promised to wed, nay even the woman
he loved with all his being--a half
breed, a mulatto! His mind sickenet
with the horror Of that thought.
His very soul seemed to shuddel
and his s. cried out that thu
thing could never be. . Yet il
his heart Of hearts still he loved her
still desired her with all his strength
and will; In his heart there was nc
wavering. Whatever Rutton had been
whatever his daughter might be. be
loved her. And more, the honor o.
the Ambers was in pledge, holdins
him steadfast to his purpose to seel
her out In India or wherever sn;
might be and to bear her away from
the unnamed danger that threatened
her-even to marry her, If she would
have him. He had promised; his wore
had passed; there could now be M
withdrawal.
An hour elapsed, its passing rau
cously emphasized by the tin clock
Amber remained at the table, his heat
upon II, his face hidden by his arms
so still that Doggott would have
thought him sleeping but for his I'm
even breathing.
At length the young man called