The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1913-02-07


my every pulse was throbbing. your
master Is outside in a cab. He Is very
weak and will need assistance. Get
another man to aid me, and then
awaken Mr.. Checkabeedy and Louis.
And make haste. No, can't come in:
I'll wait outside" He turned away in
obedience to my directions. but
checked him. And, Stephen"
charged, mo word to any one else. as
you value your position; especially no
word to Miss Grayson."
marvelled at the mans preserved
unemotion. His VERY good, SIR" was
uttered with all the stolidlty which
marks a response to the commonplace;
and yet knew that he was fully con.
scious Of the eventfulness Of this late
and unlooked-for homecoming. And
the footman who Joined me few min
utes later was not less well-trained.
Together, he and lifted Cameron
from the hanson and carried him up
the broad flight Of granite steps, be-
tween the massive guarding lions, and
placed him in a great chair In the
hall, before the wide, sculptured fire.
place. And though this would probably
prove the most exciting topic Of the
servants hall for weeks to come, he
gave not the smallest sign that he was
taking part in other than the usual.
Checkabeedy, the butler, however.
though no less perfect a servitor, was
more privileged; and Louis, volatile
as the most characteristic Of his coun-
trymen, collapsed utterly, without eff
| fort, apparently, at any restraint what
ever. The formers interest was evil
denced in commiseratingly lugubri-
Gus visage and a few blunt questions,
but the Frenchman wept and sobbed
in wordless sympathy. And | had II
not in my heart to blame either for
more pitlful picture than the one pre-
scented by the restored Cameron as he
sat there in his own spacious hall.
gazing with lack-luster eyes at the
dead and dying embers on the hearth
before him, hope never to see.
Tho butler, rudy and rotund, and
looking for all the world like a we'll
fed monk, for he wore a bathrobe OF
somber hue and his crown was barer
than any shaven tonsure, stared for
moment in sad silence. Then, turning
to me, he asked:
But what has happened to Mr.. Cam
eron. sir?"
81 wish could tell you, Checka-
beedy." was my unguarded reply. Il
wish he could tell us himself"
But he is so wasted. sir! And his
clothes l never saw Mr.. Cameron in
such clothes"
1t was quite true. They were of
what is called, believe, a pepper-and-
salt mixture, coarse OF texture and ILL
cut yet not much worn.
He does not recognize u.s." CheckA-
beedy went on, "and still he is con-
scious May l ask you. sir, where you
brought him from?"
l chose to ignore the question, in
sudden realization Of the necessity Of
caution.
And he has been missing a month.
they say, sir. Is that true. Mr. Clyde?"
Missing" repeated. Who says
he has been misslng?"
THE servants all say so, SIR"
Then the servants must get rid Of
the idea, at once" l said, sharply. "Mr
Cameron has merely been out of town
for a while. He went away for his
health, and now he has returned, bene-
fitted. Do you understand, Checka-
beedy? He has returned. benefited.
And now, you and Louis will get him
to his room, while telephone for DR..
Massey"
Checkabeedy bowed. asserting, and
Louis, still whimpering, wiped his
eyes.
physician left his patient and Joined
me in the library downstairs. His face
was very grave.
81 have examined Mr., Cameron thor.
oughly," he said, land | can assure
you that he is not seriously injured"
The phrase opened up new line Of
thought to me.
Seriously injured?" repeated. 81
don't understand. Doctor, Do you
mean that"
81 mean" he interrupted, that the
blow on the back of the head caused
no fracture"
Then he was struck"
Undoubtedly. Probably with a
sandbag. Hence his present dazed con.
dition. Had the blow been delivered
with more force, 1t might have result
ed in complete loss OF memory You
have heard. of course,N of instances