Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-07-30

Whatever business was occupying
Lamar, it was not the sort to be dis
posed of quickly. Hour after hour
passed and still he did not rejoin US. AT
last climbed the stairs and, knocking
at the door of his room, asked If there
was anything he desired us to do.
"At present, nothing" he answered
NO use tryin' to nudge him." John
son observed, when l returned to the
| living-room. He'll let us know fast
enough when the time comes. You'd
better get some sleep, doctor, If you
can curl up comfortable in a chair. I'll
stand watch"
Nothing better suggesting itself,
tried to follow the fsherman's advice
at first with very indifferent success,
| The events of the evening had not been
of the sort to make one sleepy. So
sat in my corner specializing on the
probable outcome of the encounter.
What Lamnr's plans would be 1T was
difficult to foretell. Physically he was
in poor condition to undertake further
fight from his enemies, yet he would
hardly dare to remain without estab-
fishing a small standing army. John
son had covered himself with glory, but
he was but one man; and / did not
enumerate myself as part Of the bel
lgerent force. Again, the excitement
and worry the presence of his enemies
must cause would certainly have an
extremely bad effect upon Lamar, ag-
gravating his disease and cutting short
even the scant allowance of time had
estimated as his. If anything could
have overcome my extreme repulsion
for him, it must have been the cool
courage he had displayed in the face
of danger; but, though / appreciated
It, could not bring myself to more
kindly feeling for the man who had ex-
hibited 1t in such trying circumstances.
What would Dorothy have to say such
part of the tale as / could tell her? l
was thinking more of her and less of
Lamar, when my eyes closed for weari-
ness.
Johnson's hand on my shoulder
brought me back from my dreams.
Hes called for you," he said. "He
wants you to go up to his ROOM"
VERY well; I'll go; but what's the
timer" asked, grinding my knuckles
into my eyes.
"'Most six o'clock. The suns just
risiR'"
heard Lamar's voice from the rear
room, one which he had never before
invited me to enter.
Come in,' he said "I regret to have
detained you SO long, but my task is at
last completed"
In spite of his efforts to maintain the
old steady tone, his voice sounded
hearse and full of weariness; and all
that 1t suggested was more than borne
out by his face, upon which fell the cold
light of the morning, revealing with
pitiless distinctness the traces of the
struggle of an indomitable will against
physical weakness. His pallor was
CHASTITY, the skin was drawn above the
temples, the cheeks were sunken, the
lines about the mouth were grown to
burrows. His eyes burned with fever
ish fire. The hand which rested on the
desk at which he sat shook, notwith-
standing its support. l had never seen
the man in such state-so completely
mastered by his infrmities. How he
had been able to work through the night
was almost beyond comprehension,
though the bottle Of brandy at his ell
bow showed that he had had the aid of
a stimulant. 1t had carried him
through, but at fearful price. Plain
ly, 1t was no longer a question of weeks
or months with him; his days, perhaps
his hours, were numbered.
On the desk before him lay a sealed
letter, a check book, sheet Of paper
covered with figures and the little black
'valise which he had guarded 80 jealous
ly on our journey to Rodneytown, and
which had not rested eyes upon since
the day of our arrival.
He motioned me to seat beside him.
"Dr. Norris" said he, last nights
visitation warned me to perform GER
tain duties which, in view of my fail
ure of health, had too long been neg
lected. ! desire your assistance in the
completion of them"
81 am at your ORDERS" said /. For
the little while that remains for you,"
l added, to myself.
He opened the hand bag and took
from it paper, which, upon being un-
folded, appeared to be a petition or
agreement of some sort; for appended
to several closely-written paragraphs
was long list of signatures. He gave
me no time, however, to decipher either
text or names. Striking a match, he set
fire to the document, which was burn
ing brislzly before he dropped it to the
floor. AS the fame grew / saw that
about it lay several little heaps of
fluffy ash, no doubt all that remained
of other papers he had chosen to put
out of the way. He watched the fire
creep along until the whole sheet was
nblaze.
'If the question arise, as 1t may, you
can make oath that document of this
appearance was destroyed" said La
mar. you may feel free to do so. No
one suffers by the destruction of it,
though many might by its preserva-
ton"
II will certify to the fact" said 1.
But who will make inquiry about it ?"
Possibly no one. But, if inquiry is
made, they who ask will understand"
He opened the check-book and
passed it to me. 1t was one had given
to him months before, though, as the
funds deposited in the bank at Trent
stood in my name, he could have had
little use for the book. In fact, none
of the printed forms had been filed in.
Il desire to make provision for John.
son." he explained. "He is deserving
OF reward. Make q check to his
order"
VERY WELL" said 7, picking up pen.
"Eor how much?"
Five thousand dollars"
looked at him in wonder. Was he
playing practical joke Of some sort?
But he met my gaze, and repeated his
words: Five thousand dollars"
After all, to a man in his position the,
fsherman's services certainly had been
valuable. filed up the form, and tore
1t from it's stub. Lamar took the slip
of paper and thrust 1t into his pocket
You comprehend the reason in.thesc
Matters" said he. at is necessary to
arrange with an eye to the worst. I
fear sudden failure, collapse. II
such should be my end. wish TO have
my affairs In order. For johnson pro-
vision is now made. To Martha, who
has been a faithful servant, I would
give, let US say, $500. count upon you
to arrange the matter"