The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1889-11-28

surgeon noted that he wns richly clad.
and also that the embossed hit of =
sword protruded from the skirts Of his
coat, while his face. from some power
ful emotion, was palc and drawn.
Are you the surgeonr" asked the
newcomer, abruptly.
s't your service. Was the reply.
Come In.
The stranger obeyed. and, waiting
until the surgeon had secured the
door. followed him upstairs.
Examine mer' said he. taking ON
his laced coat and standing pale anil
upright before him.
"Unfastcn your shirt said the
Other. falling in with his strange hu-
NOR and commencing careful exam
nation.
inquired the stranger. when
he had finished.
Sound as bell and as hard as
oak :,
Mot likely to die suddenly" sue-
gested his visitor.
mo. / should think that would be
the last thing to happen to you"
replied the puzzled surgeon. why.
what is the matter with you? DO you
feel illp"
NO; feel hale and strong. capable
OF enjoying life with the best. I've
never had an illness in my life But
for all that, shall die at midnight"
"Ofcourse," said the surgeon, some
what provoked at all this mystery. III
you are going to kill yourself, you can
speak with more authority as to the
time than any body else
81 have no intention OF committing
suicide" was the stern rejoinder.
Nevertheless, at midnight my time
expires. The manner Of my death is
unknown to me; but / shall never see
the lifting OF this dreadful blackness,
which on my last night upon earth has
fifty interposed itself between me and
the heaven have renounced."
The surgeon, listening to this
strange outburst. turned todhe table.
and filing . glass with brandy. handed
it to hisextraordinary patient. twill
put heart into you," said he.
"But not soul,n said the other;
and shuddering convulsively, drank it
at draught; then placing the glass
upon the table. he drew q purse from
his pocket and looked at the surgeon.
Your fee?'
"Nothing. i know not what your
trouble is; but / wish much that /
could help you"
I'm past all help" said the other
sadly, moving towards ths- door; then
pausing, as the surgeon took up one Of
the candles to light him down. he said
in irresolnfe tones: As you shall
judge, II you care TO hearp"
by all MEANS" said Mostyn hearth
~. az: replacing the candle; he poked
the fire and drew. up q chair for his
visitor.
Twenty years ago." said the latter,
accepting the proffered seat and lean
ing towards the surgeon, "my circnm-
stances were very different from what
they are now Young and strong,
had at the death Of my parents re-
jected the bread OF dependence offered
me by relatives, and full OF hope had
come to London to make my fortune.
1t proved to be harder work than /
had anticipated; and in very short
while was reduced, to the verge OF
starvation. One dreadful night. OF
which this is the twentieth anniver-
sary. | was half-crazed with poverty
and despair. For two days l had not
tasted food, nor did ] see the slightest
prospect of obtaining any. Added to
this, was deeply in love, though I'M
happily the interference Of those who
should have been our best friends kept
US apart. As crouched shivering in
the garrett which served me for a
lodging. think I must have gone a
little bit mad" He broke of suddenly.
as though unwilling to continue. and
stared gloomily at the fire.
"Wellpn said the surgeon, W no had
been listening with much interest.
..Have yon ever heard of compacts
with the Evil Onepn' demanded the
stranger.
II have heard OF such things. re-
piled the surgeon. on whose spirits the
occasion and the visitor were Begin
ming to tell.
II made one" said the other, hoarse-
ly. "Crouched by the empty CRATE.
which Knocked me with its cold bars
and white ashes, my thoughts turned,
as though directed by some unseen
power, to all that had heard and read
Of such compacts. As my mind dwelt
upon it, the subject lost much OF Its
horror, until gentle rustling in the
neighborhood OF the FIRE drove
me with quaking heart to my
feet My fears. however. were but
momentary, and with fierce determine
alton called upon my unseen visitor
to lend me his awful aid. As spoke,
the sounds suddenly, ceased. and .
voice seemed to cry in my ear; Write
write!' / dragged u small table into
the moonlight which struggled
through the begrimed panes OF the
window, and with my own blood ani
the miserable stump OF pen, wrote
out the terms OF an agreement with
the Prince of Darkness. possessed, a,
ibid SO, with the horrible conscious
ness Of something in the room watch