The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-26
Christopher CoIbeck's Head.
From Chambers journal. In fol
par.s.)

From Chambers journal. In four
| par:s)
PART ".
Those who happened 10 be near the door
| al that moment were surprised 20 see a
| strange movement on the part of Robert
| He!gham- II was movement OF The whole
| man. sudden start, as though he aad re-
ceived shock They saw The color fade
| from his face IN an instant, leaving ];
| CHASTITY white.
| Sold" echoed the auct.oneer carelessly.
'Mr. John Fe-nley Thank you. sir"
| Two guineas-fve-ten g0ineas. I bid
| ten guireas!'
Robert Heigham had made a step fer
| ward, and his voice, hoarse and husky al
| first. broke INTO something like shrek a;
| the last word. HIS hand was outstre,ched.
and his face had purpled again with excite
| n1ent.
Ten gu.neasi'' he shouted in the IL
tense silence which followed he outbreak.
| ''Do you hear7 offer ten gu,neas for that
| head.''
There was general confusion. natural
| enough under such startling conditions.
Heigham's flushed and working face. his
| agitated manner. and The strangeness of his
words. ali conduced 20 a sensation.
| himself. He thought the youne man wa.
intoxicated, for he could see no other ex-
! PLANTATION Of an incident so contrary TO the
| traditions OF an auction-roon.
Very sorry, SIR he said suavely. This
| lot has been knocked down 10 M. Fe-niey.
If you wish to re-purchase. perhaps you
| can arrange with MIN. We will now, ladies'
| and gentlemen. proceed to the rooms up
stairs
The scene was over. Heigham. apparent
ly sobered by his failure, stood aside. sui
leniy watching the groups that passed him
to the stairs. He recognized no one, and
none OF those present liked hin, sufficiently
well 10 intrude upon his evidently unp,eas-
ant mood, except Mr.. Hubbard
Ten guineas, indeed" said the old So
licitor as he approached. Ten suineas,
II was not worth it. my dear sir. You
should not allow your affection for your
uncle 10 carry You away like that
Heigham frowned aEgrily He was watch
ing John Fernley. who had stepped up TO
the table 10 receive and pay for his pur-
chase. which he wrapped up tenderly IN
a newspaper. There was triumph in the
old mans face. 1t was something 70 him
to have given that young Heigham such
check.
The auctioneer's clerk moved 70 assist
him. Mind. please said the purchaser,
quickly. zone part appears TO be loose
All! 1 see. it screws on. There. that's
right. Thank YOU
He settled the parcel under his arm. and
prepared to go. But Heigham stepped for
ward and touched his shoulder.
Mr. Fernley,"
The old man turned. tightening his grasp
upon his prize. Was this excited young
fellow going to claim it?
Mr.. Fernley," said Robert Heigham. alb
ruptly. Il wash to buy that head. Mr.. Col
beck was my uncle and partner"
A CLEAN of resentment appeared In John
Fernley's eyes. Yes, your uncle" he said
bitterly. but he was my friend. sir. And
1 can tell you that he would never have
sent me the letter you sent last week
Your uncle. indeedr'
Pshaw, You mean the notice of fore
closure replied the other, with assumed
carelessness. That was a matter of bus
mess. sir. and so is this: offer you ten
guineas for that head"
The old man hesitated. Ten guineas was
much to him. and perhaps he would have
given way at once but for that contemptu-
Gus reference to the foreclosure. So it was
OiIiy d mater oI business 10 TINS young
man that he and his children should lose
their old home The thought CALLED him,
and increased his anger
Very well, SIR he retorted. ''Since It
is only matter of business. you may
have the head. But its price is ESQ! I
bid you good Afternoon"
stop. Mr.. Fernley.' he cried, with
sudden effort. 81 will pay the price you
name"
Fernley stopped. incredulous; but Heigh-
am. taking blank check from his pocket
book, sa; down at the table and rapidly
filled 1t out.
Here it is" ne said. calmly. as he rose
and placed it in the old mans hand 1T
is drawn upon my bank, and these gentle
men are Witnesses 10 the transaction"
Still incredulous, John Fernley took the
slip. He gazed at it biankly, but al the
same time allowed the parcel to leave the
shelter of his arm. Heigham grasped Ii
with ill-concealed eagerness.
And then the pedestal. which had been
turned by careless handling. came away
at his nervous clutch, fell off, and rolled,
with hollow sound. under the table They
gave IL 10 attention. however. for a mar
row. folded paper had fallen after II, and
lay upon the floor at their feet
The clerk stopped to pick II up. but
Heigham anticipated him. Yet. quick as
his movement was, they all had time to
see the words OF an endorsement. written In
thick, black letters:
Dated September 1892
Last VIII and Testament of