The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-19


ner owing to IFS disease. Waterman whom L
met directed me TO your door"
"Do you live in the neehborhood 9n ,.n..
mo, at Westminster" was the reply. "But
ha wing 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 10
meet II there"
''Alone ?" queied The wondering surgeon.
"I-hope So" said the other. shuddering.
"Be guided by me-" said the surgeon, earnestly.
"Return TO your home and forget all about tnis
mysterious compact you fancy you have made
Hls companion shook his head and turned to
the door.
AGAIN." asked MOstyn.
i'Unless you will let me stay here" said the
other. Changing at him wistfully. "Yom , are not
nervous? You do not think l shall die?'
"YOu VIII die Of fright If you die at all?" said
the surgeon sturdiiy. "But stay, and welcome, II
you Will" And to avoid the thanks of his guest
he poked the fire until The resulting blaze almost
caused the candles 10 snun themselves out Win
envy.
For some time they sat silent. The streets were
now entirely deserted, and no sound save the
Pickering OF the fife disturbed the silence OF the
room. Then the surgeon arose and, upon hos
pitable thoughts intent, busted himself with the
little spirit case which stood on The sldeboard !;
and after sundry most musical gurIings from The
bottle as it contded its contents 10 the glasses,
appeared IN his place again with two steaming
potaions and a sugar-bOwl. "COgnac," said he,
with all It's fery nature subdued, now III It's
tranquil old age"
Thanks" said his visitor, taking the proffered
glass. 1.-The last toast shall drink. Loug lie
TO YOU" lie tossed of The contents and again
lapsed into silence, While the surgeon slowly
smoked his long pipe, removing II at Intervals
In favor Of Tie spllt he had so highly COM
mended.
Hair an hour passed and neighboring church
clio ok slowly doomed The hour OF II. One hour
more. The surgeon glanclDg at his companion
10 see what effect the sound had upon him saw
that his eyes were closed and that lie breathed
he avily. Rising cautiously to his feet lie felt
The pulse OF the strong sinewy wrist which hung
over the side OF the chair and then, returning 10
his seal, sat closely regarding him, not without
casting certain uneasy glances into the dark
corners OF the room. his pipe went out; The lire
burned low, and seen through the haze OF fog
and smoke the molionless figure in the chair
seemed suddenly 10 loom large in front of him
and then TO be almost obscured by darkness.
For few seconds it seemed his eyes closed.
VIII en- lie opened them lie fire was out, aud the
figure In front Of him stun sat IN the chair. though
lis head had now fallen on It's breast. Full OF a
horrible fear, he glanced hurIitd ly at the clock
and saw that it was just upon The stroke OF four,
then lie sprang TO The side OF his guest and
seized Tie wrist nearest TO him. AS lie did So he
started back with wild cry OF horror for some
slippery thing, dating swiftly between his feet,
vanished in the gloom of nelghboring corner.
Ere he could recover himself the man IN front
OF him stirred uneaSily and, rising unsieadly 10
his feet. gazed stupidly at him. whats the
natter" lie asked al length. In dazed tones.
"Matterr' shouted The still trembling sur
geon. WHY us four hours past midnight and
you are alive ana we'll"
With violent start, as he remembered his po-
sitlon, the stranger glanced at the mantel' snei.
there was no compact" Then another fear pos
sessed him: as it's the clock rightY'
TO the mnue," said the surgeon, standing
graVely by with ayered head, as his visitor, heed.
less OF his presence, fell upon his knees and
buried his face i'll his hands.
AS he rose TO his feet The old church clock
slowly struck the hour Of t, appearing 10 both
the listeners 10 do so with ali emphasis as unu-
sual II vas welcome. AS tile last stroke
sounded The stranger, WHO could even now
! hardly realize his position, threw w The window
and extended his head. The log had dsap-
Feared, the air was crisp aud clear, and The dis
tant lumDlng OF the early market Cats belok-
| ened tie beginning OF another day.
How came l 10 Sleep" lie inquired, closing
the window and turning 10 the surgeon.
Il drugged your dunk. lt was the only thing
could do. You were ~ such strange stale OF
! alarm that you would either have died or gone
mad If / had uoi done so.'
| The stranger extended his hand and caught the
| young surgeons III mighty grasp. You iau a
| fearful risk. suppose that had died. My death
| would have been attributed 10 Tue drug ana you
would have been accused OF my murder"
81 Glanced H." said MOstyn, simply. 'Ihere
| was 10 time for consideration
at has been a strange business" said the other.
Nv Ia could II have been that was III my garnet
| that night and what could have taken the agree
| ment ?'
Rats" said Mostyn, smiling. cone of them
| frightened me terribly just now; but 1t would
not have done so il | had not boon 10 very eX-
cited condition. The same state OF mind, per
| haps, though In d milder form, that yon were III
| the night you wrote your agreement"
There were rats in the room remember"
said the stranger; "but never once thought OF
them. on have saved my reason II not my lie, ~
aud lie again graSped him by the hand. You
shall BOt flnd Inc ungTatetul."
Nor did he; for, aided by his influence, the
young surgeon rose rapidly to fame and fortune,
which he shared III the most LIBERAL manner with
The grl f0r whom his poverty had long Kept i'm
10 waiting.-Chambers journal.