The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-06-20

he dies. All! there Is sanity Il His
eye even now. Speak 70 him. doc
tor"
my dear man." said Winter do
you see me?"
'Dr. Winter!" uttered the feeble
voice.
you know me!- he cried. with as
Constituent "Who are you?"
A feeble smile curved his thin lips
III you will sit down beside me, /
have a long story TO tell you. Yet, no;
Il shall not be long,
sThe sick man stretched his hand
for cordial. II was given him, and
again the dusky eyes were turned upon
Winters face, and the the voice be-
gan;
Five years ago met you first. For
two years you were my friend. For
three years was dead to you and all
the world"
"You. then. are Edgar Percyp"
What Is left OF him.
you were not dead. then? In what
manner were you rescued from the
grave?"
mo. I was not dead" he said.
dying has been my profession. I
have lived upon the proceeds OF my
deaths at various times, but / am not
yet dead"
To say that DR.. Winter was astound-
ed would but feebly express the state
OF the good mans mind, while Dun
ming watched the two with distended
eyes.
..But what" demanded the doctor.
with difficulty forcing himself to speak,
"was the disgrace TO which you alluded
In that letter."
"A blind. my friend; blind. mere
ly to throw you Off the track. You
say'-to Dunning-"th am going
to dep"
"You are certainly beyond all skill"
"Well, we'll, what matters itp I
have been a great rascal, and no one
has ever suspected it. Twill be
sort OF relief to speak the truth for
once in my life. Listen, both OF you.
"The processes Of converting warm
young heart to villainy and dishonesty
are various. It matters not how 1 be-
came the hypocrite I was; I think 1t
was born in me; that 1t was my nature
to,D deceive. and Encouragement
strengthened the natural propensity.
Well, doctor, ! am going to make the
story short. for already I feel the
death clutch ut my vitals. Three sep
arate times have /. with the aid OF an
accomplice, feigned death successfully.
Each time my life was insured to q
large amount; each time / bore diff
ferent name, was buried, or supposed to
have been, by my accomplish, who, Of
course, was the person in whose favor
my insurance was drawn. Within the
space OF five years have had in all
5000 pounds obtained in this way.
The last time / undertook 1t, my ac-
complete after drawing the money,
refused to give me my usual share,
two-thirds. Knowing that I was in
his power, I dared not proceed to ex-
tremities with him; 80 let him de-
part with his ill-gotten gains. But
the disappointment OF my last effort
was too much for me, and here am
defeated at last and brought to bed
which is really couch Of DEATH"
Then" said DIR. Winter. 'by keep
ing secret the letter In which you de-
clared yourself a suicide ! helped two
scoundrels to prey upon society. Oh,
Edgar Percy. I could not have believed
it Of your
Cant you see," responded the dy-
ing man, with feeble sneer, 'that
that is the reason why I was so sue
cessful? My face stamped me not only
pure but above suspicion. So much
for faces"
DR.. Winter turned abruptly away,
shocked. disguised and angry. Dun
ming sent for a magistrate. who took
the confession of the impostor. who,
however. refused to give the name Of
his confederate In crime. He died,
repenting at the eleventh hour, as 10
the custom with such men.