The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-07-28

He seemed relieved at the anxWer.
"How are you feeling? said /.
That's not the sort of entertAinment
that does you any good. It must not
be repeated"
"Yet it has profited me-" he an
swered. II am stronger, better"
"But you'll pay for IL, am afraid.
Let me see how you have stood it."
mot now," said he, waving me back.
Tonight l have work to do. May
request you both to remain here for
q time?"
Certainly. We should not think Of
leaving you before daybreak."
THAT will SUFFICE" he answered.
For the present, go to my ROOM"
johnson, what do you make Of all
this ?" asked, when Lamar had left MS.
Not much," he answered, "'cept
twas close shave for the boss. /
thought he'd have trouble with that
locked drawer if ever he wanted to get
at his guns in a hurry. Why, II he'd
tried to open it before come, they'd
have carved him into mince-meat be-
fore he could have got to his weepins.
He would keep it locked, though, and
You know he amt man to argy with.
Lucky l brought my brace along; but
twas his orders should, whenever I
got the call" So l
sat in my corner speculating on the
probable outcome of the encounter.
What Lamnr's plans would be it was
difficult to foretell. Physically he was
in poor condition to undertake further
fight from his enemies, yet he would
hardly dare to remain without estab-
fishing n small standing army. John
son had covered himself with glory, but
he was but one man; and 1 did not
enumeratc myself as part of the bel
ligerent force. Again, the excitement
and worry the presence of his enemies
must cause would certainly have an
extremely bad effect upon Lamar, ag-
gravating his disease and cutting short
even the scant allowance of time had
estimated rs his. II anything could
have overcome my extreme repulsion
for him, it must have been the cool
courage he had displayed in the face
of danger; but, though / appreciated
it, l could not bring myself to a more
kindly feeling for the man who had ex-
hibited it in such trying circumstances.
What would Dorothy have to say such
part of the tale as could tell her? /
was thinking more Of her and less of
Lamar, when my eyes closed for weari-
ness.
Johnson's hand on my shoulder
brought me back from my dreams.
Ties called for you." he said. "ue
wants you to go up to his room"
''Very well; I'll go; hut what's the
time?" 1 asked, grinding my knuckles
into my eyes.
"'Most six O'clor'-
Reaching the head of the stairs, I
heard Lamar's voice from the rear
room, one which he had never before
invited me to enter.
"Come in" he said. ~ regret TO have
detained you so long. but my task II nj
last completed"
In spite of his efforts 70 maintain he
old steady tone, he voice soaD@ed
hoarsc and full - WssFis16 = ~ III
that 1t suggcsted was nsre than borue
out by his fncc, upon which fell the cold
light of the morning, revealing with
pitiless distinctncss the traces of the
struggle of an indomitablc will against
physical weakness. His pallor was
VIZ ohIh "oo - 0Do'S esso
temples, the cheeks were sunken. the
lines about the mouth were grown TO
burrows. His eyes burned with fever
ish fire. The hand which rested on the
desk nt which he sat shook, notwitl,-
standing its support. 1 had never seen
the man in such state-sO completely
mastered by his infirInities. How he
had been able to work through the night
was almost beyond comprehension,
though the bottle of brandy Mt his e.
bow showed that he had had the aid of
a stimulant. 1t had carried him
through, but at q fearful price. Plain
ly, ii was no longer a question of weeks
or months with him; his days, perhaps
his hours, were numbered.
On the desk before him lay sealed
letter. n check book, u sheet of paper
covered with figures and the little black
ly on our journey to Rodneytown, and
which had not rested eyes upon since
the day Of our arrival.
lie motioned me to seat beside him.
"Dr. Norris" said he, "last nights
visitation warned me to perform Ger
tain duties which, in view of my fail
ure of health. had too long been neR-
lected. / desire your assistance in the
completion of them"
~ am at your ORDERS" said I. For
the little while that remains for you.~
I added, to myself.
He opened the hand bag and took
from it a paper, which, upon being un-
folded. appeared to be n petition or
agreement of some sort: for anr,epdsd