The Delta independent., 1897-05-05

my health is precarious," he con-
tinued. II wish to be not disturbed,
TO be guarded from intrusion, as well
as to receive medical attention when
necessary"
I'm other words" suggested, "you
wish me to accompany you to the spot
YOU have mentioned, to remain with
you, and to see to it that you have the
privacy you desire"
1T is us you have said"
"You ask q speedy decision?"
"Immediate."
/ looked at him doubtfully, - well
might after receiving such q proposal.
He gauged my thoughts, no doubt, for
he pressed me on the point where re-
sistance would be weakest
"You will be amply remunerated,"
said he. MAY ask the terms which
will be agreeable, and which will suf-
flee to repay your loss in leaving the
city?"
The appearance Of the room might
have told him how little that loss would
be. More to test him than with any
well-dehned idea as to the value Of my
services. l said:
Two thousand dollars . year, and
expenses, with an allowance for clos
ing up my affairs here"
at is agreed. Let US bind the bar
gain." And with that he drew from
his pocket q roll Of bills and held them
out to me.
"Wben shall the arrangement take
effect?" l asked.
Now, from this moment. Shall Il
be so?"
hesitated, but only for an instant.
The sight of the money overpowercd
my doubts-it represented SO much 70
one whose fortunes were so desperate.
"Yes," said ], from this moment"
And took the roll of bills.
1 had acted upon impulse, but II
may be that long delibcration would
have brought about the same result.
1 knew nothing of the man. except
that he bore token from my bcst
friend. / was ignorant even Of his
rame. for from the first Understood
Lamar to be nn aims. At his motives
I could hardly guess, but il was mose
probable that he WINS a political exilo.
At all evcnts, association with ~
could not change my condition for thess
worse. There would be Mt least the
very alluring that prospect was. In
short, it was difficult to discover how
should be the loser. moderately
successful practitioner would have
smiled Mt such an estimate ns had
placed upon my services, but the ex-
periences of tn. last year had not been
conducive Of ovcr-confdence. 50. now
that had put myself under this
strangers orders, I lost no time in
asking him what the first of them
might he. He replied TINT he was anx-
ious to leave the city at once.
''There is little to detain me-" said I.
II dare say can be Mt your disposal
by ten o'clock tomorrow morning"
Not 80. We must depart tonight
he answered, decisiveIy.
What? Tonight? There is no train
ut this hour"
II comprehend. But prefer car
riagc beyond the environs. One can
lie obtained, can it not?"
"Yes."
"Then arrange for il at once. You
may return for . time, IL there is need''
Here wns haste with n vengeance.
Still, II he desired IL, no should 1t H..
II mattered little t. me how the night
was passed. He was paying for his
right to command, and he should have
the worth Of his money.
"a conveyance shall be At the door
In half m hour" said !. "Will you
await il here?"
"No. But will return in the time
SET" said he. "First pledge me again
TO maintain faith"
gave the promise. and saw him step
out into the night, without concerning
myself greatly as to the probable out
come of our alliance. Then ! went nv
way to rouse up the owner Of n livery
stable near by and to bargain with him
for n vehicle. Although he had never
profited by my patronage. ne knew me
to lie physician, and Therefore sup-
posedly subject 10 late calls from dis
tant patients. had decided TO drive
TO Merton, town about 20 miles away,
on the line Of railway we would use in
our journey. The man exacted n stiff
price for the carriage, but there was
no haggling over IL, for ! got ~ much
pleasure rs he from the cxorbitant sum
he demanded; there was certainly NOR.
Of novelty for mt in participating in
such q transaction.
When. At the time appointed, Lamar
returned to the of'sce, he carried . small
black satchel, which apparently con-
tanned oil the effects he carrs1 70 take
with him. The carriage was at the
door, the driver grumbling 70 himself
at the long ride which lay before him.
Once in the vehicle, Laaar settled him.
self comfortably In his corner and
lighted . esgas. Tie saaeheI was on
the scat besi1e him. observed that
his hand never beft L. Neither of ne
spoke often In NAe cDur,e Of the drive.
There were questions burned TO ask,
but IL was sitogether likely shss they