Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-11-30

change of fortune, | should take it
for o sign that he had accepted my
conditions. / sighned it and swoon-
ed. When | awoke IRON the sleep IN
to which the stupor had merged, the
sun was shining brightly into my
foul lodging, and below was a mes
senger who brought me news OF u
large fortune which had fallen TO me
through the death of an uncle. God
forbid that myrash vow should have
had aught to do with it. Since then,
everything has prospered with me-
married the woman | loved. We
have Il large family. have kept my
secret to myself. Tonight at 12my
time expires.
"The change in your fortunes was
a mere coincidence for you, then,
said his visitor, whose face was now
livid. "In the morning, when awoEe.
the agreement which | had lett on
the table had disappeared"
"Mostyn rose and, taking great
care not to extinguish the flames,
snuf1ed the candles.
.'As Isupposed my death would he
n stricly natural one, " continued the
stranger, II thought | would
| consult u surgeon, in or
der to see whether my heart
was sound, or whether | was to die
as | have said, in perfectly natural
manner owing to its disease 4
Waterman whom | met directed me
to your door"
''Do you iivein 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
TIE streets 10 meet it there. "
"Alone?" queried the wondering
surgeon
I-hope 50, said the other shUd,
dering.
"Beguided by me, said the surgeon
earnestly. Return to- your home, and
forget all about this mysterious
compact you fancy You have made"
His companion shook mis- head End
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. 'iou are not neryous?-
you do not think Ishall die"
lyon will die of fright il you die at
all, said the surgeon sturdiIy. But
stay, and welcome, ifyou will" And
to avoid the thanks OF his guest, he
poked theflre until the resulting
blaze almost caused the candles to
snuff themselves out with envy.
For some time they sat silent. The
streets werenow 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
himself with the little spirit-case
which stood on the sideboard; and
after sundry most musical gurglings
from the bottle as it confided itscon.
tents to the glasses, appeared in his
place again with two steaming pnta-
tions and sugar-bowl "Cognac."
said he, with all his fiery nature sub.
dued, now in its tranquil old age.
Thanks, said his visitor, taking
the proffered glass. 1.-THE last
toast | shall drink: Long
life to you" He tossed OH
the contents, and again lasped into
silence, while the surgeon slowly
smoked his long pipe, removing it at
intervals in favor OF the spirit he had
so highly commended.
Half an hour passed, and neigh.
boring church clock slowly doomed
the hour OF IL. One hour more
The surgeon CHANGING at Ills com
panion to see what effect the sound
had upon him saw that his eyes were
closed and that he breathed heavily.
Raising cautiously 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
closel Y 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 obsecured 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 its head had now fallen ON
it's beast. Full of horrible fear. no
glanced hurriedly Mt the clock and
saw that it was just upon the stroke
OF a, then he sprang to the side of his
guest and seized the wrist nearest to
him. As he did so, he started back
with q wild cry of horror. Tor some
slippery thing, darting swiftly be.
tween his feet, vanished in the gloom
of neighboring corner.
Ere he could recover himself. the
the man in front of him
stirred uneasily, and rising
unsteadily so his feet. pnzed
stupidity Mt him. WHATS the mat.
teri" he asked at length in dazed
tones.