The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-23
Christopher CoIbeck's Head.
From Chambers Journal. In fou
parts)
PART

/
| PART I.
CHRISTOPHER Colbeck was dying. For three
| DAYS he had lain upon his bed without
word or movement, save for the dull, IN
| questioning glance with which ne nae
| greeted and followed all who came The
| first seizure had deprived him Of speech
| and motion, and the next would be fatal
| 1t might come at any moment.
1t was then that Robert Heigham, the
| sick mans nephew, and only relative, re-
| ouested that he should be left alone in the
| patients room for a short time There
| were some private matters. he said, wn.ch
| he would try TO communicate TO his uncle,
| and he thought he would be able TO ascer-
| tain Mr. Colbecks wishes with regard 70
| them.
| The physicians hesitated at first, but
| eventually gave way. The end was very
| near, and an interview would not be likely
| to hasten IT. though they warned the young
| man to avoid excitement. Closing the door
| softly, they went down stairs.
Il suppose Mr. Heigham is the heir?'
! remarked DR.. Butter, the consulting pnysl-
| c:an from Liverpool, as they entered the
| drawing-room together.
The local doctors name was Hornbuck.
! He was a man of slow speechObut excel
| lent professional standing.
81 suppose so' he answered with hesi-
| tation He is the only relative. and has
| been Mr. CoIbeck's right-hand man in bus
| mess for some years. Yes, l suppose ne
| is the heir
"Is there much?" asked DR.. Butler with
| a curious glance at the substantial furni-
ture of the room.
Every much, 1 believe There is the bust
ness, you know. Mr.. Heigham will nave
that In any case. That is something, but
| Mr.. CoTbeck has large private fortune
as we'll He was an able business man"
DR.. Butler nodded, and settled himself m
an easy chair to wait. Two or three min
utes later they were briskly discussing
a recent article in the British Medical Jour-
raj en- the minor functions of the cerebei-
lum.
In the room above Robert Heigham had
drawn his chair to the bedside. his man
ner was vis:bly agitated, and his Keen,
sallow face was pale. but he had thorough
ly prepared himself for this interview That
it was TO be an interview with man VINO
could neither move not speak did not dis
courage him. In his younger days ne hao
read Monte Cristo."
Christopher Colbeck's eyes were fixed up
on Heigham, dumbly following his every
motion. There was a dim CONSCIOUSNESS
in them, but none of that life and spirit
which people knew so well. For moment
or two Heigham gaZed steadily into his
face.
"Uncle." he said, then, clearly and slow
", II am going to show you how TO speak
to me- When you wish to answer yes you
must close your eyes once. DO you UNDER
stand?"
He waited anxiously For a few seconds
there was no sign. Then it seemed TO him
that a CLEAN of intelligence appeared In
nd 10 eVpli6S suddenly
dropped.
That is right" he said with satisfaction.
Then, in still clearer tone:
81 thought you might wish to give me
some instructions. Is there any business
matter which you would Ike to have set
tied at once"
A longer pause followed. It seemed that
the sick man was considering. Then the
eyelids dropped again.
Yes, muttered Heigham, with increas-
ed agitation. Then aloud:
81 will mention in succession all the CHIEF
matters in which you are engaged. When
] reach the one you mean, you must let
me know"
He went slowly through a list of the
most important matters in which Christie
pher Colbeck, finance agent had been en-
gagged at the time of his seizure, pausing
after every one. But the end was reached
without a sign.
Then il is none of these said Robert
He!gham, still clearly and firmly. Now
l will repeat the letters of the alphabet.
Give the sign when 1 reach the initial let
ter of the word you wish 10 speak.
He commenced slowly: "A, B, c, D.
E, F''-and there the sign was given.
1T is F." said Heigham 10 himself; and
he mentally ran through those business
matters again.
"F-ha, is 1t Forest?" he cried. But
mol mentioned Forest before"
There was no motion in answer. Plainly
it was not Forests matter.
..Fernley-is it Fernley's mortgage? We
have advanced him eight hundred pounds"
said the nephew. with sudden remem-
brance.
Ha there the eyelids fell again.
49, 1t IS Fernley's mortgage. What
do YOU wish? The last half-year's interest
has not been paid. Do you wish me to
foreclose?"
There was no answer.
sion OF timer
He waited, but still in vain. Only one
suggestion remained.
do you wish to release him.
The reply came Instantly, Yes"
Every WELL said the new head OF the
firm, after a pause. II Will do so. II you
Ike, I will write a note here now. Then
YOU can sign il. I will guide the pen In
your hand, and you can make a mark.
will be your witness.
The eyelds dropped again. There was no
doubt of this mstter---no hesitation. 1t
was pathetic to see the eagerness that now
shone in the eyes, the avidity with which
they watched their interpreters move
ments.
Heigham was anxious TO please his uncle
now, even more anxious than he had been
in business, where his keen ability and
quickness of perception had so rapidly
brought him 10 the secnnd place. For time
was going on, and ne had not yet reached
the true object of this interview.