CHAPTER XXV. MARK HORTON RELENTS.
After having mailed the letter to Gertrude from Lakewood, Homer Bulson returned to New York to complete his plans for the future.
Evening found him at his uncle's mansion, as smiling as ever, with nothing to betray the wicked thoughts which were in his mind.
Mr. Mark Horton had changed greatly. He was very feeble, his face was pinched, and his hair was fast growing white.
He had had two doctors waiting upon him, but neither of them had been able to make him well.
His malady baffled all their science, and despite their most carefully administered medicines he grew steadily worse.
"I cannot understand the case," said one physician to the other. "I was never so bothered in my life."
"It is certainly strange," answered the other. "I shall make a report on the case before the fraternity. Ordinarily this man should grow better quickly. He has no organic trouble whatever."
As Mark Horton grew more feeble he longed for Gertrude, remembering how she had ministered to him day and night.