The Delta independent., 1897-05-05

forth an Indictment of the world in
general and my neighbors in particular.
More than once l was sorely tempted
TO seek q loan from him, but pride
stood in the way. had not quite
reached the point Of utter defeat, bu;
l was very close to it. Not q word had
been heard Of Mrs. Loring and her
niece, who. for all knew, might be in
Europe, Asia, Africa, or America. Let
ters had come from Mrs. Peck, telling
me that she was at her home in Maine,
awaiting the return of her husband
from another voyage round the Horn.
Her health, she was happy to add, ap-
pcared to be reestablisbed.
AS has been set forth, the test OF
endurance went on for more than 4
twelvemonth. 1t was ended in strange
manner, without warning. and at
time when was near 10 despair. The
landlord had attempted again to col
lect a pa, : of the money due him-hs
could scarcely be said to have bounded
me for it, inasmuch Us he had suffered
SO undesirable a tenant TO fall several
months in arrears-and once more he
had been put of with excuses and apol-
ogies. He had not been harsh in his
replies, but it was easy to understand
that his patience was fairly exhausted.
He had left me still in v-~es"--'"-" H"t
l feared that q few days more would
see me turned into the street and al
most as hopeless as shipwrecked sail
or on n barren island. In either case
starvation would be quite among the
possibilities.
After n frugal supper tried to read,
but with very slight success, my
thoughts wandering repeatedly from
the book to the approaching crisis in
my affairs. 1t must have been for
hours that sat brooding over my per-
plexities. At last, more discouraged
than ever by the unvarying trend of
the reflections, I started to my feet,
and, crossing to the window, raised
the curtain and peered out. 1t was
later than 1 supposed, for the lights
had disappeared from the houses across
the way and the pavement seemed to be
deserted. Turning back to my desk,
1 filled a pipe. Tobacco was the sole
luxury left to me, and the stock in
my pouch was running low.
There came knock at the door, n
light tap thrice repeated. As an
swered the summons n man stepped
into the room, and, with n quick mo-
ton, closed the door behind him. He
was of medium height, thin. sallow-
faced, hooked-nosed, with crisp. black
hair and mustache shot with gray.
"Dr. Alfred Morris?" he asked.
bowed and motioned him to q chair.
Disrcgarding the invitation. he drew
Q letter from his pocket.
"For you-this," said he.
The envelope bore no address. Break
ing the seal, / drew out sheet OF
paper on which was written: Let the
bearer command all good Offices" In
place of the name of the writer was n
Greek cross with three dots beside IL.
a second glance at the words above the
device satisfied any doubts rs to the
identity of the man whose hand had
penned them.
"This is the best of introductions,"
said /. Pray be seated. In what way
can I assist your"
at is n matter Of . confidential char
acter." he answered, with . glance
about the room. A
"You may speak freely. There is no
one to play the eavesdropper."
THAT is well. will endeavor TO
trespsss upon but little of your time"
He spoke with a peculiar siowness,
almost hesitancy las IL picking his
words with great care), and with
marked accent, which ut once betrayed
that English was not his native tongue.
"You may command me-" said I.
''But pardon me. your name is not given
in this note"
"My name? All, you may call me La
mar"
He came closer and fixed q pair of
piercing eyes upon me.
"Dr. Norris" said he, 81 request you
to suffer me to pass by my reasons for
coming here"
l. REST assured ] shall question you
on no point You prefer not to explain"
"And I may request also secrecy. in
any event, regarding this meetingT
81 give you my word. M have said,
that you may command me-"
He paused, as IL to reach . decision
in some matter Of great moment I
studied him with increasing curiosity,
my interest fired by the strange cir
cumstanccs of his visit.
II make you, then, n proposition"
he said, at last. 'I wish TO obtain the
right Of your time and attendance"
I stared at him in blank amusement.
What could he mean? Did he propose
10 retain me a. his private physician7
Was he sufficiently wealthy 10 indulge
In such Iuxuries? His dress told moth
ing on that score. He might lave
been . thrifty mechaaic or . million
aire.
1T In my WISH" he went on, "hrxt
10 travel. but not far, then 70 seek re-
tirement Of the quietest- Once you told
. friend. a friend"-be repsssed the
word ss IL TO emphasise it,-"of place
near the sea, solitary, remote, L. ft