Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-10-17

forbid that my rash vow should have
had aught to do with it! Since then.
every thing has prospered with me.
married the woman I loved We
have large family. I have kept my
secret to myself. Tonight at twelve,
my time expires"
1.-The change in your fortunes was q
mere confidence" said the surgeon. un-
easily.
'.Another coincidence for you. then"
said the visitor. whose face was now
livid. lin the morning. when I
awoke, the agreement which had
left on the table had disappeared"
Mostyn rose and. taking great care
not to extinguish the flames, snuffed
the candles.
LAS supposed my death would be
a strictly natural one" continued the
stranger. II thought l would consult
a surgeon, in order to see whether my
heart was sound. or whether I was to
die as have said. in a perfectly nat
ural manner owing to its disease. A
Waterman whom met directed me to
your door,"
do you live in the neighborhood?"
'No-at Westminster. was the re-
ply. ''But having put all my affairs
in order, and wishing that my dear
ones should be no witnesses of my
death, have been roaming about the
streets to meet it there"
'.Alone?" queried the wondering
surgeon.
"I-hope So" said the latter, shud-
dering.
BE guided by me-" said the sur
geon, earnestly. Return TO your
home, and forget all about this mys-
terious compact you fancy you have
made"
His companion shook his head and
turned to the door.
'.Are you going to roam about in the
fog AGAIN." asked Mostyn.
'Unless you will let me stay here"
said the other, glancing at him visit
fully. you are not nervous?-you
do not think shall die?"
you will die of fright if you die at
ALL" said the surgeon, sturdily. ''But
stay, and welcome. if you will" And
to avoid the thanks of his guest. he
poked the fire until the resulting blaze
almost caused the candles to snuff
themselves out with envy.
For some time they sat silent. The
streets were now entirely deserted,
and no sound save the Pickering of the
fire disturbed the silence Of the room.
Then the surgeon arose and. upon
hospitable thoughts intent. busted him
self with the little spirit-case which
stood on the sideboard; and after sun
dry most musical gurglings from the
bottle as it confded its contents to the
glasses. appeared in his place again
with two steaming rotations and a
sugar-bowl. "Cognac," said he, with
all it's fiery nature subdued. now in its
tranquil old age"
Thanks" said his visitor, taking
the proffered glass. "The last toast
shall drink: Long life to YOU" He
tossed off the contents. and again
lapsed into silence, while the surgeon
slowly smoked his long pipe, remov-
ing it at intervals in favor of the spirit
he had so highly commended.
Half an hour passed.. and a neigh
boring church clock slowly doomed
the hour of eleven. One hour more.
The surgeon glancing at his compan-
ion to see what effect the sound had
upon him, saw that his eyes were
closed and that he breathed heavily.
Rising Consciously to his feet, he felt
the pulse of the strong, sinewy wrist
which hung over the side of the chair.
and then, returning to his seat. sat
closely regarding him, not without
casting certain uneasy glances into
the dark corners of the room. His
pipe went out; the fire burnt low, and,
seen through the haze of fog and
smoke, the motionless figure in the
chair seemed suddenly to loom large
in front of him and then to be almost
obscured by darkness.
For few seconds it seemed his eyes
closed. When he opened them the
fire was out, and the figure in front of
him still sat in the chair. though it's
head had now fallen on its breast.
Full of horrible fear, he glanced
hurriedly at the clock and saw that it
was just upon the stroke of four. then
he sprang to the side of his guest and
seized the wrist nearest to him. As
he did SO, he started back with a wild
cry of horror, for some slippery thing.
darting swiftly between his feet. van
ished in the gloom of a neighboring
corner.
Ere he could recover himself, the
man in front of him stirred uneasily,
and rising unsteadily to his feet, gazed
stupidity at him. ''What's the mat
ter?" he asked at length, in dazed
tones.
'.Matter!" shouted the still trem-
bling surgeon. ''Why, it's four hours
past midnight. and you are alive and
we'll"
With violent start, as he remem-
bered his position, the stranger glanced
at the mantel-shelf -Four o'clock!"
said he, flour o'clock! Thank God.
there was no compact" Then another
fear possessed him: 'sIs it's the
clock right?"
ITO the minute" said the surgeon,
standing gravely by with averted