The state herald., 1891-10-16

said Lizzie Silver, beseechingly. "You
know l love you. You are the only
friend have in the world, and il you
were to die what would become OF
me?"
al suppose young Guy Cheevers
would console you for my loss" said
Mr.. Maddox, grimly. "At any rate, l
don't care. l will end my troubles
and sorrow tomorrow at IL NJ"
With these fearful words he strobe
out of the room, leaving Lizzie sob
bing, with her curly black head rest
ing on dinner-plate.
whats the matter now, Bess?
Has the milliner disappointed you in
your love of a bonnet,' asked a warm,
hearty voice, which was the property
OF "young Guy Cheevers, as Mr..
Maddox called hi,n, rs that gentle
man strobe into thai room.
"0h, Guy" sobbed Lizzie, "Uncle
Cyrus is going to die tomorrow 1t 12
O'Clock"
allow do you know?"
ale said So"
But how does he know?'
Hes going to kill himself"
$50 as to make himself true
prophet eh?" asked Guy, laughing.
"0h, Guy, don't Joke" cried Lizzie,
tearfully. "He will know he willl''
II doubt it," said Guy, skeptically.
"But he tried to commit suicide
several times" sine persisted feariuliy.
"Once he tried to smother himself with
burning charcoal, but he forgot to
stop up the keyhole, and smelt the
smoke and got some neighbors to
break open the door and saved him.
Then he tried to hang himself, but the
cord broke, and he fired pistol at
himself, but he forgot to put any ball
in it, SO that failed; and them E.
"Graciousl" cried Guy, as Lizzie
stopped for want of breath; "but
what a determined man he must be!
Such perseverance, deserves to be re-
warded. Have You any idea what
plan he will try now"
'Im sure don't know" said Liz.
zie, mournfully. Something dread
frl, | suppose"
"But what does he want to make
away with himself iorg" asked Guy,
wonderingly.
"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 wont
fna it so pleasant as the one he il
quitting. What an unreasonable man
he must be! lie is rich, talented, and
healthy and has II very pretty niece"
here, in moment OF abstraction.
he allowed his arm to wander around
Miss Silver's waist-''and what more
can he wants But some people never
are satisfied. II seems he is determin,
ed to pry into futurity, and it seems
n pity to disappoint so laudable nm
ambition; but duty-duty to myself
compels me to interfere. dislike any
scandal or excitement. A coroner's
jury would cause both; therefore, We
must bnlk his little game"
"But how2" asked Lizzie, curious
ly.
"a prudent general" said Guy.
hnughti'y, never coniides his plans TO
his army. particularly when the army
is OF feminine gender; so excuse me.
NUNS the word. But rest assured.
my dearest Elizabeth that unle, =
your worthy uncle shullles oil this
mortal coil in n surreptitious manner
before l2 o'clock tomorrow he will
not do II aftcrward-of course | mean
illegally. Farewell till tomorrow"
Having concluded this address Guy
strobe oil in IA tragic manner, leaving
Lizzie greatly surprised, bu. still quite
rcassurcd. for in her opinion what
Guy could not do was not worth do.
ing.
The next morning Mr.. Maddox
made his appearance, very saturninc
and gloomy, and ate his breakfast
with n mournful mir TINT was terribly
impressive Having finished ne then
took his leave OF his neicc In n feeling
manner.
II am about to leave you" said he
mournfully. ~ am about to end this
life OF misery. Ihops that you may
be happy"
"Oh, don't go!' said Lizzie. teariul.
ly clnging To him, and looking into
his face plendingly
"It IL useless "said SIR. Maddox,
firmly. "My mind IN fixed, and moth.
ing you can do can persuade mo to rc-
linquish my purpose. hut you, my
dcar child shall not bounprovidcdfo for.
intend to make my will IN the few
hours that aro left me, and you will
not bc forgotten. Good.by. my dcnr
child, farewell"
+. And then. after embracing his niece
iervcntly, hc rushed from the room
frnn,icnlly and securely locked him.
self In bis own room, and began to
prepare himself for his last journey.
"Ninc o'clock" he said to himself,
looking nt his watch Three hours
vet, Enough To do all have TO do.
First TO make my will''
Tho lnst will and testament OF Mr.
Cyrus Maddox was evidently not
n long one M II WIS finished IN
less than an hour.
eleven O'clock" said Mr.. Maddox,
"and have finished. How slow the
time passes, to bc surcl Now, what
phnll | do until 12 o'clock, for ] am
determined not to dio until noon"
A knock at the door =.
"Gio away cried Mr. Maddox,
nnarily; "you can't come inl'
II nm very sorry To disagree with