The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-09-24
Christopher Colbeck's Head.
F'rom Chambers Journal In fo1
parts.)

J a
paper releasing John Ferniey from all IN
: debtedness whatever to Christopher Col
2 beck, his heirs, assigns, and business sue
cessors, in respect of a sum of eight hun.
dred pounds, advanced on mortgage Of GER
) tain premises. When il was done he
, brought 1t 10 the bed, and the sick mans
eyes ran over il eagerly. Heigham then
placed the sheet on a blotter, and fixed
, a pen between those dead fingers which
| would never write again. A minute later
Christopher CoIbeck had signed his last
document.
He.gham laid it down upon the table. All
this was only an incident. and he felt no
respect. no admiration, for that touching
loyalty which could remember boyhood 5
friend even in the hour of death
But now came the crisis. He drew near
er, and bent over the bed. When he spoke,
his voice was husky and uncertain.
Uncle" he began, lis there anything
else? Do you wish TO say anything about
Sour-about your private affairs?7'
II was bold question which he wouId
not have dared TO utter under other cir
cumstances, but he had nerved himself to
it now. Yet his answer was not the look
OF angry suspicion which he had expected ;
not that, but fun, clear gaze of eager
intelligence and satisfaction. Then the af-
| frnative sign was made.
What is 1t, then?'' he asked quickly.
! "Is It about your servants? No, Your
house? Mo- Is 1t about your will? Ah,"
Christopher Colbeck had closed his eyes
| again at the last question. Heigham gave
few seconds to consideration before he
| continued.
| You gave me to understand that you
/ had made your will in 1886. Do you desire
| to alter It or-or destroy it?"
| No answer, only a long look Of painful
! impatience. Robert Heigham passed his
! handkerchief across his brows, which were
! damp with sweat. He knew the contents
/ OF the VIII of 1856, as he knew the purport
of every document in his uncle's private
desk.
DO you wish TO add a codlciI, thenr'
he asked in a voice which ne could not
steady.
"Nor'
''Have you done so?'
He stopped, perceiving that he was near
success now. His next question was a
prsof Of his Quickness of understanding.
"Have you made a later will?'
Yes"
The answer was immediate and certain
He;gham turned his face from the bed to
conceal a look of triumph. He felt that
he was safe-that he had not worked in
vain. Then he saw that his uncles eyes
were watching him with increased anx-
iety. There was more to be said-some
thing, perhaps, that would put an end to
the racking doubt which had tortured him
so long, and satisfy his greed and covetous
Cess.
He bent forward. ''Do you wish to say
more on this subject. uncle?'
Yes" came the reply at once.
The young man hesitated, hardly know |
ing how to proceed.
Tell me what you wish" he cried. Il !
Will repeat the alphabet again. Give the |
sign when you wish me to stop"
His device was again successful. The |
first pause was at G. On recommending !
he was stopped at E.: and then he was
allowed to run on until T was reached.
''G-e-t-get?' he cried in triumph. What
am 1 to get? Is it the will?
Yes"
He rose In eagerness, and eripped the
headrail of the bed. The doctors injunc-
tons were forgotten. The will-only to
see itr'
Where is it," he asked TN stapleton's
hands? in your office? in your desk down
stairse Noi'
HIS guesses were only a waste Of time.
and he stopped again. He must try the
alphabet plan once more
Once more it succeeded The first word
arrived at was in. The second was my.
I'm your what?' cried Heigham. Now,
uncle once againi I will be very careful"
He began slowly, restraining his excite
ment; A, B, G; but II was reached before
the signal stayed him. The next letter
needed was z, the next A And the last,
TO his astonishment was D,
"Head?' he nuttered, bewildered.
Head In your head? Good heavens,
what do you mean? IL your head?"
He was staring vacantly into the old
mans face, and the last words passed
his lips, the affirmative sign was made
once more, quite Enthusiastically
In your head?" he repeated again, hard
ly believing his senses
The mute eyes were watching him close
ly, and appeared to take note OF every
shade of expression that fitted across his
troubled face. And suddenly he saw, or
thought he saw, passing gleam in their
depths-a transient CLEAN that looked like
mockery or mirth.
The blood rushed TO his brows. His con-
science Guickened his suspicious, and the
came upon him that the helpless
man he had deceived for six years knew
him for what he was-a hypocrite and a
t!me-server. His ready fears saw In those {
Natchful eyes a latent sparkle of that mock l
ng spirit he knew so well. The old man
had found him out after all, His devices | l
7ad been in vain, his pretended reform :
lis false humility, his clever drudgery c
christopher Colbeck had fought him with =
lis own weapons and had deceived the de- ,
,eiver.
In storm OF rage and modification he ,
shook his cienched hand above the dying 4
nan. !.
So re cried. you know me, You saw Il
ny game! You-you-" p
He stammered and fumed. but could not y
peak for passion. In his blindness he DID I
lot see the fear and wonder which had G
aiken the place OF that mocking light In
lis uncie's eyes. What he did see was :.
and covering az OF terror. and :.
e rejoiced in that Then he turned to the o
able and snatched up the paper which "
e had laid there. Here was a small re- =
ense, and triumph gave him words
on have used me and worked ne 10 | -
he last" he Kissed. and you knew me all o
he time And l came here like fool. 10 o.
eg, TO find QUITO plead for myself at the II
ast moment. Like a fool, sir. like a fool, II
o you thought 10 cripple the business by o
citing me TO write this? Uncle you were n
lever" OF
The paper trembled ana ru.,ied in hts n
ands. He looked al IL and laughed. &c
VERY clever." ne repeated bitterly. ''But cC
on were too quick. You should have wait "
!. Now "A
He tore the paper twice across Then ne e
rev the pieces into the fire. Standing m
'.de so that his victim should see them al
I'm And Christopher Co,h-ck watched a
s last act shrivel and vanish IN the bs
lmes-
The law is st;ll too tedious L took Luet- = =