Arizona republican., 1898-07-18

~N. | "Very well; I'll go; but what's the time?" asked, grinding my knuckles into my eyes.
 "'Most six o'clock. The suns just risin''
 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. "I regret to have detained you so long, but my task is at last completed
 In spite of his efforts to maintain the old steady tone, his voice sounded hoarse and full of weariness; and all that it suggested was more than borne out by his face, upon which fell the cold light of the morning, revealing with | pitiless distinctness the traces of the struggle of an indomitable will against | physical weakness. His pallor was 1 ghastly, the skin was drawn above the temples, the cheeks were sunken, the lines about the mouth were grown to furrows. His eyes burned with fever l ish fire. The hand which rested on the I desk at which he sat shook, notwith- i standing it's support. l had never seen the man in such state-so completely mastered by his infirmities. How he had been able to work through the night was almost beyond comprehension, though the bottle of brandy at his el- bow showed that ke had had the aid of a stimulant. It had carried him through, but at a fearful price. Plain ly, it was no longer question of weeks or months with him; his days, perhaps l his hours, were numbered.
 On the desk before him lay a sealed letter, check book, q sheet of paper covered with figures and the little black l valise which he had guarded so jealous 1 ly on ou1 journey to Rodneytown, and which l had not rested eyes upon since the day of our arrival.
 He motioned me to seat beside him.
 ''Dr. Norris" said he, Hast night $ visitation warned me to perform cer- tain duties which, in view of my fail ure of health, had too long been neg lected. I desire your assistance in the 1 completion of them.'
 T am at your orders," said I. "Fo- the little while that remains for you,'' I added, to myself
 l He opened the hand bag and took from it paper, which, upon being un- folded, appeared to be a petition or agreement of some sort; for appended to several ciosely-written paragraphs was long list of signatures. He gave me no time, however, to decipher either text or names. Striking match, he set 1 fire to the document, which was burn ing briskly before he dropped it to the floor. As the flame grew I saw that about it lay several little heaps of fluffy ash, no doubt all that remained of other papers he had chosen to put out of the way. He watched the fire l creep along until the whole sheet was ablaze.
 If the question arise, as it may, you can make oath that document of this appearance was destroyed" said La mar. ''You may feel free to do so. No one suffers by the destruction of it, though many might by it's preserva- tion."
 | l But who will make inquiry about it ?''
 Possibly no one. But, if inquiry is made, they who ask will understand He opened the check-book and l passed it to me. It was one had given 1 to him months before, though, as the funds deposited in the bank at Trent stood in my name, he could have had little use for the book. In fact, none of the printed forms had been filled in.
 'I desire to make provision for John son." he explained. ''He is deserving of reward. Make a check to his order''
 Every well," said I, picking up pen. "For how much?''
 "Five thousand dollars l looked at him in wonder. Was he | playing practical joke of some sort |? But he met my gaze, and repeated his words: 'Five thousand dollars After all, to a man in his position the i fisherman's services certainly had been valuable. I filled up the form, and tore it from it's stub. Lamar took the slip of paper and thrust it into his pocket. You comprehend the reason in these SdIu ut. It IS necessary to arrange with an eye to the worst. I fear sudden failure, a collapse If such should be my end, wish to have my affairs in order. For Johnson pro i vision is now made. To Martha, who has been a faithful servant, I would give, let us say, $500. I count upon you to arrange the matter"
 II will do so,' said l.
 And as for yourself-'' You have paid me well,' I broke in. But he continued:
 ''As for you, I desire this: when my 1 death comes, you will regard as your own the money deposited in the bank in your name. There will be no rival claimant. From my memory of the i account you submitted recently, I am convinced that you will find Q consider able sum remaining after the two pay nPnfS yO11 1-noxv of b,ra haar,