The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1897-01-14
6DyS?.B9AG1sE
c. GFssS50
PATIENT.
by NilliamT N,ehclS
Copyright. 1895. BY J. b lippneou Col
XXU.-CoNTINUED.

Ou tnc ueSk DelOTe MN lay Sealeu
letter, check book. Il sheet of paper
covered with figures and the little black
valise which he had guarded SO jealous
ly on our journey to Rodneytown. and
which l had not rested eyes upon since
the day of our arrival.
He motioned me to n seat beside him.
'Dr. Norris" said he. last nights
visitation warned me to perform ccr-
tain duties which. in view of my fail
ure of health, had too long been neg
lected. l desire your assistance in the
completion of them"
81 am at your ORDERS" said |. For
the little while that remains for you,'
added. to myself
He opened the hand bag and took
from it paper, which, upon being un-
folded, appeared to be petition or
agreement of some sort; for appended
to several ciosely-written paragraphs
was long list of signatures. He gave
me no time, however, to decipher either
text or names. Striking u match. he set
fire to the document. which was burn
ing brskly before he dropped it to the
floor. As the flame grew | saw that
dDOuI lay StNCIdl III blt VI
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
abIaZe.
IF the question arise, as it may. you
can make oath that u 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" A
II will certify to the fact said /.
But Who will make inquiry about it?'
Possibly no one. But, IL inquiry is
made, they who ask will understand"
He opened the chcckbook and
passed it to me. II 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 a reward. Mahc u check to his
order"
NOiN "cii, Salu II l'iShIhS UP a pcIis
For how much?'
Five thousand dollars"
/ looked at him in wonder. Was he
playing practical joke of some sort? I?
But he met my gaze, and repeated his
words: Five 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 and thrust it into his pocket.
You comprehend the reason in these
Matters" said he. 1t is necessary to
arrange with an eye to the worst.
fear a sudden failure. u collapse. If
such should be my end, l wish to have
my affairs in order. For johnson pro.
vision is now made. To Martha, who
has been a faithful servant, / would
give, let US say, $500. l count upon yol.
to arrange the matter"
Il will do So" said L.
And as for yourself"
You have paid me well,' broke in.
But he continued:
''As for you, l desire this: when nv
death comes, you will regard as your
o"h shS Ahoh'S piSilth III bhC Dduh III
your name. There will be no rival
claimant. From my memory of the
account you submitted recently, | am
convinced that you will find "a 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 replenished."
But why should you make me such
bequest?" began II thank you,
but"
1T 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 "A little brandy into glass
and gulped 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 ad-
dress the same as that of the letter"
What signature to the dispatch?"
''None is required. Go at once, and
return as soon as possible"
shdii oidib iiuulSuldltlt, hiiu Il,
rising. Take my advice and get some
rest, if you can. l 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 1 left him
seated at his desk, a mere wreck of the
man he had been even few hours be-
fore. In that strong morning light
deaths seal appeared to be upon him.
Cautioning johnson not TO leave the
house, l hurried across the plain to Mrs.
Weston's, harnessed the bay more hasti-
ly than he ever had been harnessed be.
fore, and started him off briskly along
the BASKERVILLE road. drove fast that
morning, as fast as even the swift road
ster cared to go. The telegraph oper
ator was just coming on duty when /
reined up beside the platform Of the
railway station, and to him lost no
time in committing the message. It's
address. which / copied from that OF
the letter, was the banking house in
New York with which Lamar had COM
municated previously. Five minutes
later l had posted the letter, and was