The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1896-10-15

arose refreshed and ready TO carry out
the scheme outlined the night before.
A clock on the mantel showed that
nearly half the day had slipped away.
Dressing quickly, | passed into my
companions sitting-room, where n
substantial breakfastwas spread on the
center-table. 1t had been arranged
that we should shun the hotel dining
room, and statement that Lamar was
travelling under my professional care
could be relied upon TO quiet any curl
osity developed by our eXclusiveness.
Lamar was seated at the table, with a
half-fnished cup of coffee before him.
The light from the window fell upon
him, and for an instant | repentcd the
bargain between us; for his face was
enc of the most repulsive it had ever
been my lot to behold. The callow-
ness / had noticed was more pro-
nounced, and there were lines which
had escaped the scrutiny 10y lamplight.
The chin was long and pointed, the
cheeks were thin, and the forehead,
though high enough TO indicate no lack
of brain-power, was narrow and
wrinkled. There were hollows at the
temples such as one often sees in suf
ferers from wasting diseases; with the
| dark circles under his eyes, they gave
him the look of man whose health was
irretrievably shattered, though, as il
proved, his physical condition was no
matter of immediate concern. AS has
| been said, his nose was large and
curved, and his hair and mustache were
| streaked with gray. His teeth, which
he seldom showed, were large, discol-
orcd and irregular. His eyes, above
which the brows met in a bushy hedge.
were small and deeply sunk in his head
| There was hardly one of the mans fea-
! lures which was pleasing, and COM
bined they made up face almost
| grotesgue in its uncomeliness vet in
| studying the expression of his counten-
| ance one forgot his ugliness. 1t is the
business of the physician sometimes
| to consider more than mere bodily all
ments, to heed the signs and tokens of
| the forces of the animating spirit, to
seek out the passions which have held
sway and dominated the existence OF
| the patient. Deceived somewhat at
| first by his appearance of decrepitude.
l tried to solve the problem Lamar
presented from professional stand
| point. There was power in his face;
| power, will, determination; much self
| control, and more selfishness. Plain
| ly, thought l, a man of bitter hates and
few affections, INSCRIPTIONS and re-
sourceful, now fugitive, and bearing
| in his eye the look of dread of his pur-
suers.
What brought him to such straits !?
Over and over again l asked myself the
question. That political intrigues had
made him an outlaw seemed to be the
most natural explanation, but it failed
to meet all the requirements of the
case. A political offender, once in 'hc
United States, would be free to go about
openly, yet here he was in hiding and
| anxious to reach n still more remote
| refuge. His manner was that of one
accustomed to exercise authority. Why
should he have intrusted his fate 10 a
| stranger, young and poor? Surely he
| might have commanded a far more
| powerfully ally. 1t was as if in his
game with fate he had chosen to risk
| his all on the slenderest of chances and
at the greatest odds.
He gave me time enough for these
reflections; for after the first saluta-
tions he relapsed into silence. Perhaps
he guessed what the trend of my
| thoughts would be, and was willing to
ALLOW me an opportunity to study him.
Not until my meal was finished did
he speak. He had Lighted cigar, and
was watching the rings of smoke.
which he blew very skillfully.
$50 far all has gone WE'LL" said he.
yet l would not delay; this / think
you do comprehend. 1t is, however,
my preference to travel by night. But
first let me ask, you are still content
with the agreement"
Perfectly" said /. 1t was not the
truth, the whole truth and nothing
but the truth, but it served well
enough.
Every good. Then to consideration
of an immediate matter. You will par
don me my slowness of speech in Eng
lish-'
'''But you speak it WE'LL" broke in
81 lived in England several years."
he answered, but no sooner was the
explanation made than he appeared
to regret it; for he added: But to our
subject. Permit me to lay before you
plan"
pray proceed" said /, somewhat
puzzled as 10 what was to come.
This it is: That you, having this
afternoon to do with as you may, re-
turn to the city and there conclude
such affairs as are pressing. 1t is most
probable that another opportunity so
excellent may not present itself"
His meaning was sufficiently patent.
Once we should have reached our desti-
nation he would prefer to have me
without an excuse for reyisiting my
old haunts. Nothing, though, would
suit me better than to fall in with his
desire. So / said:
IF you will allow me until nine
o'clock this evening, / promise to be
free in every way to accompany you
wherever you choose to go. Ny busi-
ness can be closed in short order. You
may rest satisfied that shall say moth
ing of the change Of my plans. In fact,
/ don't expect to excite any lively curl
osity; il will be merely case of an
4.