The Lincoln County herald., 1869-05-06

the spsetasls you will witssss h no con.
uea eight Of hosresA." ~ in.ja-1 50,
The words, strsogs % thsy we're, vess
spoken calmly enough but - the last
sentence dropped slowly from the iivid
lips, % sxpressloa Of such Wild 'hotros
again passed over the slrasgsr's faces Mat
in spite Of the immense fss l hssi,stsd -
aosWer. ..i. -. linn. ~, 4
"You fear h. trust 10 promise Of I
dead man Bee hsrS' and'bs convinced" "
be exclaimed eagerly; and The next ia-
staat, ~ the souatsr lbstwees W lay .
parchmsns; and following the indication
Of that white muscular hand, read the
words: "Aud to Nj. Frederick Head, Of
II High street, Alton, I bequsath the
sum Of ono Thousand pounds for certain
services rendered 10 me-. ,.a ,..;.i.
"Ihave had that will drawn up within
the last twenty four hours, and ! signed
IL 90 hour ego, in The prsseuee Of oompe.
tent vitnsssss. / am prepared you Gee.
Now, do you aeoept my oifar or not"
My answer was 70 walk across the room
and take down my hat, and then lock the
door Of the surgery communicating with
the house.
4 *,,H -
Il va dark, icy cold night, and some
how tue courage and detsrmisiou which
the sight Of my name in connection with
thousand pounds had given me, tagged
considerably % I fouad myself hurried
! along throsgh the silent darkness BY
man whose death I Was about 10 st.
tend. He was grimly silent; but % his
hand touched milne, 10 spite Of tho frost,
II felt like burning coal. .-, !"
On We went-tramp, tramp, through
snov-on, on, till 1 grew weary, aud at
length on my appalled, ears struck the
chimes Of clock while close at hand I
distinguished the snow hillocks Of .
church. yard. Heaveosl WAS this awful
scene Of which I vas 10 be tho witness to
take place vsritably amongst tho dead ?
"Elevsn." groaued the doomed man !
"Gracious God but two hours more and
that ghostly messenger will bring the
summons. Come, come; for msrcy's
sake lot us hasten"
There was but short road separating
Us now from wall which surrounded .
large mansion. and along this we has.
tened until 10 reached . small door.
Passing through this, 10 . few minutes
we werc steslthily ascending the private
staircase to asplcudidly furnished apart.
ment, which left no doubt Of the wealth
Of tho owner. All Vas intensely silent,
however through the house and about
this room in particular there was still.
ness that ~ I gased around, struck me
almost ghastly.
My companion glanced at the clock on
che mantle.shslf, aud sank back into Z
large chair by the side of tho Ere with {
shudder, "Only an hour end half Ion
ger," ho muttered. "Great heavens I
thought I had more fortitude. This hor'
sor unmaus me-" Then, in fercer tone
and clutehing ny arm, he added, "Hs
you nook mo !; you think mo mad but
wait till you see-wait till you ses."
| put my hand on bis wrist; for there
was now fever 10 bis sunken eyes which
checked the surerstitious chill which had
been gathering over me, and made me
hope that after oil, my arst suppositiou
was correct, and that my patient was bu'
The victim Of some fearful halluc,ustiou
"Mosk your I answered Ioothiagly
"Fsr from Ii; I synpathiss iatssssly
with you, and would do much to aid you
|You require sleep. Lie down, and leave
mo to watch" ~ 'f'' -,
/ He groansd, but rose, and began throw.
ing OF bic clothes; and watching ny
opportunity, ! slipped sleeping powder
which managed 10 put ia my pocket
before leaving the surgery, into the tam
bier Of olaret that ssood beside me.
The more I saw the moro I felt con-
vincsd that il vas the nervous system ol
lmy patient which required my attention
land is Wss with sincere satlsfaotion that
saw him drink the wine, and then stretch
himself on the luxurious bed. e@l
>. "He," thought L %. the clock struck
twelve, and instead of, . Sroan the deeE
breathing Of the sleeper sounded through
ne room you won't receive sny sum
mous 10 night and I may make u!ss I
comfortable" t.yni ..,.Iri adj at
j Noisslesaly, therefore, rsplspishst
tho FIRE, poured myself ont . glass d
4 xins, AID drawing tie eurtaia 70 that tn,
} Arsli sht should net disturb the sleeper
put nysalf iaa position 70 follow hi
How long i .lsp. I know not, but and
denly sroassd With start and % ghostly
} i thrin Of horror d I ever remember 4
hsvs felt Ia ~ lieo. SossstAins- What
kssv not-sssusdrasas something asms
less, but unyttslsbly svfal. a. ~ a.s
4 !, gassd ssouad. The ars emitted {
! | faint blue gloy, just su&eient % shew m'
that the room was exactly The sane O
, when I fell aslecp, but that VIE long hani
sfi ths sloek' Wasted bat s0vs ninutsa .
Tie uystssious hoar that vss 70 be th'
: death neRsst q tie A'samuansd" man
/ Wss there any hing iait, Msn3 -!
! lksnkh In tkA ahnAhno n1AsV h had kAl1