The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-21
HOW He WAS CURED.

become OF Inc T'
AZ suppose young Guy Cheevers would
console you for my loss" said Mr.. Maddox,
grimly. AT any rate. 1 don't care. l will
end my troubles and sorrow tomorrow at
I'm"
With these fearful words he strobe out of
the room, leaving Lizzie sobbing, with her
curly black head resting on a dinner-pIate.
whats the matter now. Bess? Has the
milliner disappointed you in your love Of
bOnnetY' asked warm, hearty voice, which
was the property of young Guy Cheevers,
as Mr.. Maddox called him, as that gentle
man strobe into the room.
ooh, Guy! sobbed Lizzie, "Uncle Cyrus
is going to die tomorrow at IL o'clock"
"How do you knowP"
"He said So"
"But how does he knowP"
Hes going to kill himself"
$50 as to make himself true prophet,
?" asked Guy. laughing.
"Oh, Guy, don't j0ke!' cried Lizzie, tear
fully. lie Will know he wilp'
81 doubt it!' said Guy, specifically.
but he tried to commit suicide several
tines" she persisted fearfully. "0nce he
tried TO smother himself with burning char
coal. but he forgot TO stop up the keyhole,
and | smelt the smoke and got some neigh
bors to break open the door and saved him.
linen he ITleu IAOS nlulS61. Out Inc cora
broke, and he fired a pistol at himself, but
he forgot to put any ball in it, SO that
failed; and then"
''Gracious!" cried Guy, as Lizzie stopped
for want of breath; "Out what determined
man he must bel Such perseverance de-
serves to be rewarded. Have you any idea
what plan he will try now?"
'Pm sure l don't know" said Lizzie,
mournfuly. Something dreadful, l sup
pose"
But what does he want to make away
with himself fOr?" asked Guy, wOnderlngly
"Why, he says he is miserable mana
burden to every one, and that life has no
JOYS, for him. and that he is weary of this
world"
'And so would like to try the next?" said
Guy. Perhaps he won't find it so pleasant
as the one he is quitting. What an IN
reasonable man lie must be! He is rich,
talented, healthy and has a very pretty
Diece"-here, In moment of abstraction,
be allowed his arm to wander around Miss
Silver's waist-'and what more can he
want? But some people never are salts
fed. 1t seems lie is determined to pry into
futurity, and it seems pity to disappoint
so lauddbe an ambition; but duty-duty to
nyself-compelS me to interiors. l dislike
aEy scandal or excitement. a corOner's
jury would cause both; therefore, We must
balk his little game"
but how ?" asked Lizzie. curiously.
"a prudent general" said Guy, haughtily,
never CODuQcS MS plans 10 MS army, par
ticularly when the army is OF feminine
gender; SO excuse me, NUNS the word.
But TEST assured, my dearest Elizabeth. that
unless your worthy uncle shuffies off this
mortal coil IN surTeptluous manner before
u o'clock tomorrow he Will not do il after
ward-of course l mean illegally. Farewell
till tomorrow"
Having concluded this address Guy strobe
off in a tragic manner, leaving Lizzie greatly
surprised, but still quite treasured, for in
her opinion what Guy could not do was not
worth doing.
The next morning Mr.. Maddox made his
appearance, very saturniae and gloomy,
and ate his breakfast with mournful air
that was terribly impressive. Having fin
ishsd, he then took leave Of his niece in a
feeling manner
al am about to leave you," said he
mournfully. Il am about to end this
life of misery. l hope that you may be
happy"
clinging to him, and looking into his face
pleadingly.
ITS useless" said Mr.. Maddox, firmly.
Z" My mind is fixed, and nathing you can do
can persuade me to relinquisil my purpose
But you, my dear child, shall not be un-
provided for. l intend to make my will IN
the few hours that are left me, and you will
not be forgotten. Good-by. my dear child,
farewellr
And then, after embracing his niece fer
VeullJ, lie EuSD6u from TIE room IraltlcallV
and securely locked himself in his own room,
and began to prepare himself for his last
Journey.
mime o'clockw he said to himself, look
ing at his watch. three hours yeti Enough
to do all l have to do. First to make my
HillP
The last will and testament of Mr.. Cyrus
Maddox was evidently not long one, as it
was finished in less than an hour
Eleven o'clock" said Mr.. Maddox, land
II IL
70 be surel Now, what shall | do until II
O'Clock, for l am determined not to die until
noon"
Aknock at the door.
go away" cried Mr.. Maddox, angrily;
"yOu can't come in!'
Il am very sorry to disagree with you,"
said voice outside, "but can come in. |
have duplicate key here, and if you don't
open the door l will"
Mr.. Maddox rose and unlocked the door
savagey, and Mr.. Guy Cheevers stalked into
the room, carrying an oblong box under his
arm.
He placed the box on the table and then
took seat opposite Mr.. Maddox and stared
blankly at him.
What do you want?" asked tie latter
fercely. Don't you see l am engaged?'
. "Oh, / KNOW" said Guy "what you are
about to dol Don't think that Pm going to
interference at all. But before you make
your qnletus wish to ask you a few ques-
tiOns. Have you provided for your niece's
welfare?'
Whats that to your"
Considerable am about to marry Miss
Silver; SO her interests are naturally NINE"
Then she is provided for-amply."
THANK you fer your information. Very
glad to hear it, And now excuse the ap-
parent impertinence Of the question, but
where is your will"
Here" replied Mr.. Maddox. laying his
hand on it.
Suppose you give it to me to take care
"Give it you'll Why, pray?"
1t might become misplaced" explained
"Pn keep it myself" said Mr.. Maddox, in
arough tJue.
table," said Guy. earnestly, to tell where
II Is. 1t will save trouble, perhaps"
Get out r. cried Mr.. Maddox, angrily.
All, see!" said Mr.. Cheevers coolly;
" in hurry to begin. Well, won't detain
well % said Mr.. Maddox, impatiently.
at is this" said Guy. 'Miss Silver in
forms me that you have made several pre-
vious efforts to cut short your trouble and
your breath, and always unsuccessfully
way about it. This box"-and here he
opened the box before alluded to-"con-
tains several little plans that think might
please you. Here's one," and he showed
nbtle Sttel IHSlTuIleHG.
whats that?' asked Mr.. Maddox, curl
ensly.
''Ihis," said Guy, ais an article that you
can place round your neck like a collar,
then, by striking your hand on the left side
Of your neck, u sharp spike is driven right
into your jugular vein"
"But that would kill mep said Mr.. Mad
dox, staring
swell, amt that what you wantp" de-
manded Guy, sternly: Now, here's an
other" he went on. Here's wheel, you
observe: you place this band round your
neck, pass it round the wheel and give it
two or three turns-then let go. The recoil
ders-kill you to certainty"
horror.
.".Then," went on Guy, coolly. "here's
nlte package, a torpedo. 1t contains nitro
glycerine. You place it In your mouth.
snap your teeth on il, and off goes your
head, smashed into millions OF atoms"