Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-03-16

man faithful to memory; and having his
hands upon the good things of this lite,
Winter believed in enjoying them, and
after puzzing his brain on a hundred
possible solutions to the riddle, he gave
it up so that when Edgar Percy had
been dead a year, the thing was precisely
where it was when he read the suicides
letter.
Another year dimmed the memory of
the tragedy the third 'effaced it entirely
from his mind, to return only by fits and
starts.
1t was during the close of the third year
that DR.. Winter made the acquaintance
of a young surgeon belonging to one Of
the principal hospitals. Young William
Dunning took great fancy for the mid =
dle-aged, jolly practitioner, penchant
reciprocated by the Doctor and when
off duty the two were always together.
One day, DIR. Winter accompanied
Dunning to the hospital, and went the
rounds with him. There were many sad
sights there, moans of pain, and thin,
palld face, on which Deaths signet was
plainly stamped.
Dunning stopped at one of the pallets,
on which was stretched the slender
form of man yet in his early youth,
whose pale, regular features and dusly
eyes sent thrill ofrem om brance through
DR.. Winters soul. Where had be seen
that face
"Who is he ?" was the question that
rose to his lips.
at is hard TO tell who he is" replied
Dunning. "IIe was found wandering in
the street, wild with delirum. lie had
been robbed it seemed, and turned out Of
sick bed by some treacherous fend,
doubtless hoping that he would perish in
the street. Poor creature His hour
is near at hand 20
as he conscious ?"
"IIe has not been hithereto but /
think he will recover his reason before he
dies. All there is sanity in his eye
even now. Speak 20 him, Doctor !"
"My good man." said Winter, "do
you see me ?"
"Dr. Winter !" uttered the feeble
voice.
"You know me ~ he cried with aston
ishment. "Who are you ?"
A feeble smile curved his thin lips.
eff you will sit beside me, | have a
long story to tell you. Yet, no, it shall
not be long"
The sick man stretched his hand for n
cordial. 1t was given him, and again the
dusky eyes were turned upon Winters
face, and the low voice began:
give years ago, met you first. For
two years you were my friend. l died,
bequeathing you strange task. For
two years l was dead TO you and all the
world"
"You, then, are Edgar Percy ?"
"WLa. is left Of him."
"You were not dead, then -? In what
manner were you rescued from the
grave ?''
mo, l was not dead" he said "Dy-
ing has been my profession. have lived
upon the proceeds OF my deaths at vari-
Gus times but I'm not dead yet ~
To say that DR.. Winter was astounded
would but feebly express the state OF the
good mans mind, while Dunning watch
ed the two with distendcd eyes.
"But what" demanded the doctor,
with difficulty forcing himself to speak
"was the disgrace to which you alluded IN
that letter ?''
"a blind, my friend ; blind, merely
to throw you off the track. You say'-
to Dunning g-"that l am going to die"'
"You certainly are beyond all skill"
"Well, well, what matters it? | have
been a great rascal and no one has ever
suspected it, Twill be a sort Of relief to
speak the truth for once in my life. Lis
ten, both Of YOU"
"The processes Of converting a warm
young heart to villainy and dishonesty
are various. 1t matters not how | be-
came the hypocrite l always was |
think it was born in me that it was my
nature to deceive, and mismanagement
strengthened the natural propensity
Well, doctor, | am going to make tile
story short, to give the frame works, as ii
were, which you can fiji out at your leis-
ure ; for already feel the death clutch at
my yitals. Three separate times have !,
with the aid Of an accomplice, feighed
death successfully. Each time l bore n
different name, was buried, or supposed
to have been, by my accomplice, who, OF
course, was the person in whose favor my
insurance was drawn. | have had in all
five thousand pounds, within the space OF
five years, obtained in this way. The last
time | undertook it, my accomplice, after
drawing the money, refused to give me
my usual share, two thirds. Knowing
that | was in his power, | dared not pro-
coed to extremites with him so / LET
him depart with his il-gotten gains. But
the disappointment of my last effort was
too much for me and here l am, defeat
ed at last, and brought to bed which is
really couch of DEATH"
"Then," said DR.. Winter, "by my ST.
lence, dreading lest l betrayed the dis
honor of dead friend, connived tel
ony, and helped two scoundrels to prey
upon society. Oh, Edgar Percy, would
not have believed it of you ~
Cant you see," responded the dying
man, with feeble sneer, ''that is the
reason why | was so successful =? My
face stamped me not only pure, but above
suspicion. SO much for faces"
DIR. Winter turned abruptly away,
shocked, disgusted and angry, Dunnine
sent Tor Il magistrate, who tool, the con-