Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-06-04

could not change my condition for the
worse. There would be al least the
| prospect of decent livelihood; and
very anuring that prospect was. In
short, il was difficult to discover how l
should be the loser. 4 moderately
successful practitioner would have
smiled at such an estimate as I had
placed upon my services. but the ex-
! periences Of the last year had not been
conducive Of oYer-ccnfdence. So. now
TIT [ had put myself under this
strangers orders, ] lost no time in
asking him what the first of them
might be. He replied that he was anN-
ious 70 leave .the city at once.
here is little TO detain me. said T..
I dare say | can be at your disposal
by ten O'Clock tomorrow morning.
Not so. We must depart tonight =
he answered. decisively.
What? Tonight There is no train
at this hour"
Il comprehend. But I prefer a car
rage beyond the enyirons. One can
be obtained. can it not2''
~
= zen arrange for it at once. You
may return for u time, if there is need. .
Iere was haste with a vengeance.
still. ii he desired il. so should il be.
j mattered little I'D fne how the night
VAS passed. Ilc was paving for his
right to command. and he should have
the worth of his money.
y conveyance shall be at the door
in baff l,r,ft.. ..n,1 GsINr;lJ -.
await it here 2"
NO. But | viii return in the time
set, said he. First pledge me again
to maintain faith"
| gave the promise, and saw him step
out into the night, without concerning
myself greatly as to the probable out
come of our alliance. Then | went my
way to rcnse up the owner of a livery
stable near by and TO bargain with him
for vehicle. Although he had never
profited by my patronage, he knew lie
To be a physician, and therefore SUP
posedly subject to late calls from dis
tant patients. l had decided to drive
to Merton, town about 20 miles away,
on the line Of railway we would use in
our journey. The man exacted stiff
price for the carriage. but there was
no haggling over it, for got as much
pleasure rs he from the exorbitant sum
he demanded, there was certainly rnors
Of novelty for me i'll participating in
such a transaction.
When, at the time appointed, Lamar
returned 10 the Office, he carried a small
black satchel which apparently con-
tanned all the effects he cared to take
with him. The carriage was at the
door, the driver grumbling 10 himself
at the long ride which hay before him.
Once in the vehicle, Lamar settled HIM
self comfortably in his corner and
lighted a cigar. The satchel was on
the seat beside him. | observed tina.
his hand never left it. Neither of us
spoke often in the course Of the drive.
There We're questions | burned to ask.
but if was altogether likely that they
would not be answered As his en-
ploye, | felt compelled to respect his
moods, and his present one was certain
~ that Of reticence. Although the
road was good, and tile motion Of the
vehicle easy. / felt no drowsiness:. my.
Strange companion supplied me with
abundant food for reflection. Our
Jehn took his time, and the horses were
not ambitious but before daylight our
destination had been reached.
sleepy attendant led us to our rooms
M the Merton hotei, and little later 1
was slumbering as peacefully as if
had been slowed away in my dingy
quarters in the city, with never a pros
peet of an adventure moro unusual
than an encounter with a dunning
creditor.
c0Nq,rNrr4I,T, ~, N, tt-t,t-r-