The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-02-15
A. MYSTERIOUS TRUST.

My friend DR.. Macpherson, the
well-known brain-specialist, of Harley
street. happened to call upon me on
the very day that l opened Guy Den
ning's mysterious sealed packet-a
very fortunate circumstance, it seemed
to me; for the discovery had just
made caused me to entertain fears for
Denning's sanity, and / was glad to
have the chance of getting such a
valuable opinion as Macpherson's on
the subject.
The doctor had dropped in to ask
whether could recommend anybody
to act as his amanuensis. He was
writing q medical work and wanted
somebody to live in the house and
write from his dictation, in the odd
moments he had to devote to it. He
was willing to pay good salary, he
said, but was anxious to obtain an as
sistant who was not only well edu-
Gated, but gentleman. 1t was the
ideal post that / had been wishing
could find for Denning.
TO me it seemed a remarkable CO.
incidence that Macpherson should Of
fer it just at the moment when
thoughts of the young fellow were
filling my mind.
81 have the exact man for YOU" l
said. "a college friend Of mine. called
Guy Denning. who lost his whole for
tune two years ago by the failure of
bank. There are only two possible
~ ,1>oa :cl 10
One is that he may be dead, and the
other is that it seems to me very much
rs though he is mad"
Macpherson laughed, although was
spcaking very seriously.
I'm either case he would not be Of
much use for my purpose. What
makes you think he may be mad?"
well! the thought did not occur to
Inc until this morning, admit. l will
tell you the whole affair, and see what
you think about it. When Denning
lost his money, as l told you. he would
not let me help him in any way, al
though believe he was absolutely
penniless. He certainly was five weeks
ago. when he turned up Unexpectedly,
after the lapse of almost year, dur
ing which | had not seen or heard of
Kim. He told me that he had been
having a rough time, but would not
let me lend him penny. What is the
use OF borrowing when l shall never
have the chance OF paying back?' he
said, and had never heard him speak
III such thoroughly hopeless tone.
mo I <,3 f,,l L.
TO mind this little sealed packet for me
for a month, if you do not mind. Guard
it as something very precious, for the
thought of it will be the ONLY thing
that will keep my courage up while /
AIN away. You will keep it carefully,
won't you, and remember that it is the
most precious thing l have in the
World promised solemnly, since he
seemed eager about it, and Denninc
went ON: A month from to-day | shall
come back for it. / want you to prom
Use that, whatever happens, OF what
ever You may think, you will let me
have it back at the end of the month.
II in five weeks time | have not asked
for it. you can do what you like with
the parcel. What 1t contains should
like you to destroy.'"
How long ago was that?" asked
Macpherson.
rive weeks yesterday"
Then you have opened this mys-
terious parcel?"
Yes, an hour ago. will bring it
ana let you have u look at it,
Ihe doctor thanked me. and ran
upstairs TO fetch what Guy Denning
''a" called the most precious thing in
;. world. had locked it up in = !
xssx.> OF my desk exactly as ! had
yts1ti It. xcept of co.Vse, that the
SKIS were broke. When ] brought it I
.sywn i handed it TO my cornnanio
without worI.
The physician took thtE>mal s:ssbicA!
,2chci. und unwrappss't ne pA per GOV.
IL. Beneath was All O*,iiitat>.- Nt'nsi<'si
Dx, about three inches at:ns're, %tiIea 1
IL smaller pac ~ covered
With more paper. After t'fsses wrap
,ings were removed, anotfsa=' very
mall box was revealed. whics@ ap-
,eared to be full or tissue paper.
the physicians face as Inc uTS
wrapped them one by one. till in the
cry inmost paper he came to the artl-
lie which had been packed so care
.ully-the single dried pip OF All or
lnge.
well? what do you think of it:'
asked when the doctor cssaae to the
md of his search lie was cs*safully
examining the slfs...ser Of the swo
DoxeS. /
Il think that this box, and probably |
he seed which it contains, came from
chipa,'' he said. HAS your friend
ever been there?''
''Oh. yes. lie travelled a good deal
after leaving Cambridge. But the
fact that the pip came from China
:oes not make it any more valuable, |
:oes it?'
Possibly it makes it of more ac-
connt to Mr.. Denning."
I'm what wav?''
IL may be wrong. so will not say
u I'll have examined it. | should
ike to take it home with me to look !
n, if yon do not miilt.''
"Of course not. But il the owner of
lie pip turns mp, and wants his prop
,..ty bacil-though it puzzles me to
i:s;lilx how there can be any value in
j. ne thing-you will let me have it
rack at once?'
Certainly answered Macpherson.
II sincerely hope that your friend will
turn up. lie seems to be just the man
lam wanting"
When Guy Denning had not appeared
at the end OF the month. l had given
up all hopes Of ever seeing him again.
The carnestness with which he had
;;noSen OF the time when he would re-