Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-20

looked at the surgeon. Your fee?
Nothing. know not wha5you trouble
is; but I wish much that | could help
you"
I'm past all help" said the other,
sadly, moving toward the door; then paus-
ing, as the surgeon took up one of the
candles to light him down, he said in ir-
resolute tones: "As you shall judge, if you
care to hear.
by all MEANS said Mostyn, heartily,
as, replacing the candle, he poked up the
fire and drew up chair for his visitor.
Twenty years ago." said the latter, ac-
cepting the proffered seat and leaning
toward the surgeon, my circumstances
were very different from what they are
now. Young and strong, | had at the
death of my parents rejected the bread OF
dependence offered me by relatives, and
full of hope, had come to London to make
my fortune It proved to be harder work
than | anticipated; and In a very short
while was reduced to the verge Of starva-
ton. One dreadful night of which this is
the twentieth anniversary, | was half
crazed with poverty and despair For two
days | had not tasted food, nor did | see
the slightest prospect Of obtaining any.
Added to this was deeply In love, though
unhappily the interference of those who
should have been our friends kept us apart.
As | crouched shivering In the garnet
which served me for lodging, [ think [
must have gone little mad. He broke
off suddenly, as though unwilling to con-
tinue, and stared gloomily at the FIRE.
"Wen?" said the surgeon, who had
been listening with much interest.
Have you ever heard Of compacts with
the Evil One?" demanded the stranger.
81 have heard of such things replied
the surgeon, on whose spirits the occasion
and the visitor were beginning to tell.
Il made one, said the other hoarsely.
"Crouched by the empty CRATE which
Knocked me with its cold bars and white
ashes, my thoughts turned, as though di
rected by some unseen power, to all that
I had heard and read of such compacts.
As my mind dwelt upon it, the subject
lost much of its horror, until a gentle rust
ling in the neighborhood of the CRATE
drove me with quaking heart to my feet.
My fears, however, were but momentary
and with fierce determination | called up
on my unseen visitor to lend me his awful
aid. As | spoke the sound suddenly
ceased, and a voice seemed to cry in my
ear Write, write!' | dragged small
table into the moonlight, which struggled
through the begrimmed panes of the win
dow, and with my own blood and the mis-
cradle stump of pen wrote out the terms
of an agreement with the Prince of Dark
ness, possessed, as | did so, with the hor-
rible consciousness of something In the
room watching me. vowed that if for
twenty years he gave me wealth and the
possession of her whom | loved better
than my own life, my soul should be the
forfeit. If the next morning brought
change of fortune | would take it as a sign
that he had accepted my conditions. |
signed it, and swooned. When | awoke
from the sleep into which the stupor had
merged, the sun was shining brightly in
to my foul lodging, and below was mes
senger who brought me news of a large
fortune which had fallen to me through
the death of an uncle. God forbid that
my rash VOW should have had aught
to do it, Since then everything has pros
pered with me. | married the woman [
loved. We have large family. | have
kept my secret to myself Tonight, at II
my time expires.
1.-THE change in your fortune was mere
said the surgeon, uneasily.
Another coincidence for you then, y
said his visitor, whose face was now hvid.
''In the morning, when ] awoke, the agree
ment which | had left on the table had
Mostyn rose and, taking great care not
to extinguish the flames, snufed the can
dies.
Gas l supposed my death would be a
strictly natural one" said the stranger,
Il thought would consult a surgeon, in
order to see whether my heart was sound,
or whether | was to die as | have said. In
in perfectly natural manner owing to its
disease. A Waterman whom / met direct
ed me to your door. :"
"Do you live in the neighborhood?"
mo. at Westchester,' was the reply.
but having put all my affairs in order,
and wishing that my dear ones should be
no witnesses of my death. | have been
roaming around the streets to meet it
there. p"
"Alone?" queried the wondering sur
geon.
''I-hope So said the other, shudder-
ing.
BE guided by me- said the surgeon,
earnestly. Return to your home and for
get all about this mysterious compact you
fancy you have made.
His companion shook his head and turn
ed to the door.
Are you going to roam about in the
fog again?" asked Mostyn.
''Unless you let me stay here, said the
other, glancing at him wistfully. 'You
are not nervous? You do not think [ shall
die?"
"You will die of fright if you die al
all, said the surgeon, sturdily. But
stay, and welcome, if you will. And tt
avoid the thanks of his guest he poked the
fire until the resulting blaze almost caused
the candles to snuff themselves on 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 thorghts In
tent. busted himself with the little spirit
case which stood on the sideboard. and af
ter sundry most musical gurgings from the
bottle, as it confded its contents to the
glasses, appeared in his place again will
two steaming pototions and a sugar bowl
'Cognac, said he, with all fiery nature
subdued, now in its tranquil old age
Thanks said his visitor, taking the
proffered glass. The last toast | shall
drink: Long 'ife to you. He tossed of
the contents, and again lapsed into silence
while the surgeon slowly smoked his Ions
pipe, removing it at intervals In favor o
the spirit he had so highly commended.
Half an hour passed, and neighboring
church clock slowly doomed the hour o
II. One hour more. The surgeon, glanc
ing at his companion to see what effect thu
sound has upon him, saw that his eye
were closed and that he breathed heavily
RISING cautiously to his feet. he felt tht