Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-09-03
creep along until the whole sheet was

creep along until the whole sheet was
ablaze.
eff the question arise, as it 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 1t,
though many might by its preserva'
tion."
Il will certify to the fact" said I.
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 filled in.
II desire to make provision for John.
son." he explained. "He is deserving
of reward. Make check to his
order"
Every WE'LL" said l, picking up pen.
"For how much?"
"Five thousand dollars"
l looked at him in wonder. Was he
playing practical joke of some sort?
But he met my gaze, and repeated his
words: give thousand dollars
After all, to a man in his position the
fisherman's services certainly had been
valuable. filled up the form, and tore
it from it's stub. Lamar took the slip
of paper md thrust it into his pocket.
You comprehend the reason in these
matters" said he. ut is necessary to
arrange with an eye to the worst. l
fear a sudden failure, collapse. 1T
such should be my end, wish to have
my affairs in order. For johnson pro-
vision is now made. TO Martha, who
has been faithful servant, l would
give, let us say, $500. count upon you
to arrange the matter"
II will do So" said l.
"And as for yourself"
"You have paid me well,' broke in.
But he continued:
"As for you, desire this: when my
death comes, you will regard as your
own the money deposited in the bank il,
your name. There will be no rival
claimant. From my memory of the
account YOU submitted recently, | am
convinced that you will find 4 consider
able sum remaining after the two pay
mentS YOU know of have been made.
may tell you that the fund has been OF
late repcnished."
"But why should you make me such
bequest?" began. Il thank you'
but"
at is no case for thanks" said he.
Am not free to do as pleases me with
my own? Moreover have yet another
request"
He poured little brandy into glass
and gulpcd it down. Then, picking up
the letter, he said:
"This desire you to place in the post
at the railway town at once. Then send
telegraphic message. Please write
the words; Search ended, but without
result. Documents burned The nd
dress the same as that OF the letter"
What signature to the dispatch?"
"None is required. Go at once, and
return rs soon as possible"
II shall start immediately" said I,
rising. "rake my advice and get some
rest, if you can. I need not tell You
how you need it. BY the way, double
the dose Of that medicine brought you
last night. shall return within three
hours, and in that time it ought to have
some effect"
He bowed gravely, and I left him
seated at his desk, a mere wreck of the
ln hnl u fo>U bnlrS hp-
fore. In that strong morning light
deaths seal appeared 1' be upon him.
Cautioning johnson not to leave the
house. | hurried across the plain to Mrs.
Wc*ton's, harnesscd the bay more hasti-
~ than he ever had been larnesscd be
fore. and started him off briskly along
the Basscttvillc road. drove fast that
morning, as fast as even the swift road
stcr cared to go. The telegraph oper
a,or was just coming on duty when
rcincd up beside the platform of the
railway station, and to him lost no
time in committing the message. Its
address, which I copied from that OF
the letter, was the banking house in
New York with which Lamar had COM
municated previously. Five minutes
later I had posted the letter, and was
beginning my journey homeward.
Sam Carpenter gave me friendly
greeting as I passed his stable, but
there was no timc for gossip, and the
bay sped by at gait which no doubt
satisfied him that there was urgent
need of my services in Rodneytown.
Nor did draw rein until the farm
houses were close at hand and l saw
Dorothy at Mrs. Clark's door.
"Whcrc in the world have you been?'
she asked, running across the yartl to
the road, and gazing up at me anxious
ly. "Mrs. Weston says that you were
away all night. And your horse looks
as if you had been trying to drive him
to DEATH
"You shall hear all about it, Dorothy"
/ answered, "but can't tell you now.
21e.(7 T. D. 4 ..-s