Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-12-18
CHAPTER VII.
IN WHICH SILENT PASSENGER Is DRIVEN
INTO THE DARKNESS

IN WHICH A SILENT PASSENGER Is DRIVEN
INTO THE DARKNESS.
Oddly enough, a. 9:3o, just as Mr.. Joseph
Norbury was walking uo to the d DOR OF Mr.
Needham's house, the door was oren, and
the owner himself was taxing off his coat
in the hall.
''Ah!' he said, "this is lucky. I let
word if you came in my absence that there
was coffee, and cigars, and wine and soda,
and brandy, in the library, and that
hoped you would mako yourself at home
felt sure ] should be back in time. there
'r thereabouts. / have been walking asf
S the Bath hotel with an oil friend from
Dublin, who is so eccentric that ne will
never trust himself in cab or carriage in
London, and 1 had just let myself in with
my latch key-bachel or fashion. Come in;
| am very glad to ses you"
He shook NorDury's hand warmly and
then, speaking as if addressing a servant
wnom he p:ofessed to hear approaching, he
sad 'It is only l. Rogers, ami Mr.. Nor
bury; We can inl our way to the library,
and dol let us be disturbed"
The truth was be and Norbury were alone
in the house
Tive very simply" he said. leading the
way to the library; IAN old bachelor AMI I
dislike giving trouble"
Il hope your servant is appreciate your
consid eraton," said Norbury.
''Ol, yes, l think they do, he answered.
NOV sit in this chair; pray believe am
sorry not to nave had the pleasure of your
company at dinner. Asyou could not come,
simply had a chop, AMI cleared up a little
business with my secretary l hop. you
Will like these CIGARS
THANK you" sal the guest taking
Habana from the box which his host pushed
toward him You are very kin /. The
disappointment is mine. My LAWYER is au
old frien1, a1i I could not well, OH tho eve
OF leaving the country, obstruct his ar
fragments, seeing that they wsre chiefly
in my interest"
"Will you take coffess I have it here,
you see. No trouble"
He pointed to silver coffe, uln under
which was curling thin blue flame.
MY butler had just placed it really as
We came ina little cafe noir."
THANK you" said bury
The host assisted his guest and himself to
coffee. but Naedham took no brandy.
And what is your hotel in New York;
THE New York it is caleb"
"You have written them advising them
OF your coming, OF coursaa'
Yes, wrote about ten DAYS sincen
"Always so much plaasanter to be OK
pecte H." said Neednam. 81 have written
the letters l mentioned; I think they will
be OF service to you. You spoke of your
sister last evening; is she likely to ioin
yous'
"Oh. no, l do not expect to stay long:
moreover, she is engaged to be married.
and | am rather a selfish fellow, fear,
She has been my houseleeper ever since the
death OF my wife. and I hate parting with
her.
Just as a coniurer forces" card upon
you, SO Needham by example seemed to
force the cafe noir on Norbury BY himself
drinking In somewhat ostenta5ious way,
Then he led his guest into talking of his
illness, and the reasons why his doctor adj
vised change, profe sing to sympathize
with him, and at the same time telling him
Of the sudden death of friend who had
developed similar symptoms. Norbury was
nus brought into a frame of mind that
might possibly prepare him to experience
without surprise a sudden SYMPTOM Of
Illness
''As for DEATH" he said, There was a
time when had a horror OF it, but all that
passed away whea lost my wife. Iamno
longer afraid of DEATH have often wished
fer it. Don't you think our education upon
this matter is altogethec wronS.'
''ln respect to the pr epara5on for deathg'
askei Needham in reply, Weighing his
words and pressing bis feet upon the floor
as if to steady his nerves.
Yes Many Of the Oriental races have
no fear of death. The Chinese regard it as
nothing; the Japanese will commit the
happy dispatch smilingly. A Cainaman
doomed to the headsman finds substitute
on pay ment of a sum of mcne7 to his fam
lily. Death being the only certain thing in
life, the penalty of lie, we ought to accept
it as a matter of course and not make
horror of it, Children should be brought
up with these views"
Indeed I think you are right said
Needham; "but I have never reflected
much upon death, and l can hardly realize
the condition of a MAI who could volun-
tarily take the place of condemned Grim.
inaL"
''Some poor devil whose life was fall
ure, and who really loved his family and
saw in his death their release from poverty
and persecution, and particularly an Orien-
you not realize the idea of a
man counting death under such eondi-
tions:n
ooh, yes, think could' said Needham.