People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-06-23


ministered the poisonous powder for
the second time, and, according to
the medical authority which we have
already quoted, there was no longer
any help for the sick man, his vic
tim. He might live two, three or
four days, possibly a week, though
this was not probable IA the case Of
one whose constitution was enieebled
by lingering malady, but his doom
was sure. But he was as truly a
murderer as if he had approached
him with a loaded pistol, and dis
charged it full at his temple.
Twenty-four hours had made him
such. .t
There is something l want to tell
you, Paul" said the sick man, turn
ing his head on the pillow by an
effort, something which will, per-
haps. surprise you, and after that l
shall have favor to ask of you.
Will you grant it?" .
Yes" said Paul Morton, a will
grant it. Speak on.
His curiosity was not a little ex-
cited by what he had heard. He
drew chair to the bedside and sat
down.
Il am ready to hear what you
have to say, Ralph, he said.
You suppose, and the world sup
poses, that | have never married, )"
the sick man commenced. B.
Paul Morton started, and he
awaited nervously what was to follow.
The world is right, is it not?" he
said hastily.
mo, the world is wrong. Six
teen years ago | married a portion
less girl. For reasons which it is
unnecessary now to mention, my
marriage was not made public but it
was strictly legal Ny young wife
lived less tnan two years, but ere
she died she gave me a son"
is he still living9" asked Paul
Morton in a hoarse voice.
Eyes, he still lives"
Then" thought Paul, with a
sense of bitter disappointment all
my labor has been for naught This
boy will inherit Raymond's fortune,
and his death will be of no benefit
to me-"
Where is the boy now?" he asked.
He is at a boarding-school on the
Hudson. He was early educated
abroad, but for two years he has
been at DR.. Towers bOarding-school,
about forty miles from New York. y
docs he know anything OF his
parentage?"
Yes, | went to see him before !
came last 10 your house. Besides, l
have thought it well to communl-
cate all the facts in the case to Dr.
Tower as it was possible that l might
die suddenly, and his testimony
might be required to substantiate
my sons claims to my estate"
What is your sons name?" asked
Paul Morton, rousing a little from
the stupor into which the informa-
tion had thrown him.
Robert Raymond. 1t was the
name of my wlfe's only brother, who
had died young, and as l had no par
ticular preference, l allowed her to
name him"
ais he in good health"
"Yes; happily he has notinherited
my constitution. He seems healthy
and likely to live long. But am
sorry that he will be left so alone in
the world, as he must be by my
death. This brings me to the favor
| was about to ask OF you. In my
will | have appointed you the guar
dian of my boy, who is now between
II and 10. | think it will not oc-
casion you much trouble. My prop
erty, which | have put into solid Sc,
curities, will amount to $4,000. OF
course, therefore, there will be nc
occasion for stinting him. l desire
him to have the best advantages. As
for you, my old friend, as a slight
compensation for the trouble you
will take, and as a proof of my az
lection, / authorize you to appropri-
ate to your own use, during my sons
minority, one-half Of the income OF
the property, and pay his expenses
out of the other half What there
may be over can be added to the
principal"
But suppose though, if the boy is
as healthy as you say, there is little
fear OF that-suppose Robert should
die before attaining his majority?"
Should that event happen, and
as you say, it is possible. ! desire
that the property should 60 without
reserve to you. ! have so provided
in my will" 81 f.Um-t. q
A flush of qualification mantled
the cheek of Paul Morton as he
heard this statement "All is not
lost" he thought. The boy may
die, and then"
+ This is what he thought, but he
said:
Ralph, you are too kind and gen.
erous. 1t is my earnest hope that
such contingency may never occur. u
Il am sure OF that | have per-
feet confidence in you, and l know
you will be kind to my boy. He may
be here tomorrow morning"
Here tomorrow morningm eiac-
ulated Paul Morton in surprise
"Yes. l requested the nurse to
write to him yesterday afternoon, in