Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1898-01-28
...PAY!MG A DEBT.


down the glass, he shouted, "Come in,"
forgetting the door was locked; then
he rose hurriedly, drew the bolt back
and opened the door. ''. t.....
"Hullo, Charley" Grant said when
he saw who it was. The son of his EN-
ployer entered with a radiant look on
his face.
"Well, Stillman, l have come to Sc
cure my debt to you. l have made up
my mind that you shall not suffer by
my having borrowed money from you"
"Oh, that's all right" said Grant
carelessly, Il don't need the money"
"No, l know you don't need it," said
Monckton, "but it struck me that if
anything happened to me my father
would never acknowledge the debt and
you would be out of just that much"
at doesn't really matter. you know"
said Stillman Grant in the same uncon-
cerned voice. 81 shall always be happy
to lend you money when you need it
and have it."
"Thanks, old fellow, l know that"
said Young Monckton. "You are as
generous as the old man is stingy. New
ertheless, got windfall the other day
and the minute received the money l
thought of YOU
"Ah," said Grant, with his eyes
frightening somewhat. "How much
was itT'
"Five hundred pounds in one lump"
answered the other.
"oh," said Grant in a disappointed
tone.
You don't congratulate me- cried
young Monckton. ID Five hundred
pounds are not to be scoffed at"
"No," replied Grant; "still $500 isn't
fortune, you know -.-
ut isn't, but it might be turned into
tidy sum of money. Now'let me tell
you what have done, Grant. l know
l will never be able to pay you that sum
of money; if became partner in the
business it might be different, so took
part of the $500 and insured my life
for $4,000, making it payable to you at
my death. If l live l will eventually
come into the business and then you
will get back the money you have lent
me with handsome interest; but if
am cut off in one of my sprees, which
is more than likely, then you will get
back all your money with interest at
several thousand per cent"
: As'the young man said this he drew
from an inner pocket what Grant saw
was evidently an insurance policy.
"There you are, my boy, with the first
years premium paid" said Monckton
as he threw the policy on the table
"Pll leave it with you, because you are
steady, sober fellow. If can't nav
the next premium when it falls due
you'll pay it for me ard charge it I'D tC
the account l already owe you. Yor
see, my friend, you are quite safe as
far as your money is concerned, wheth
er become staid, respectable ant
rich man of business, or whether | an
cut off in the flower of my youth"
Grant lay back IN his chair with hi,
eyes partially closed as he picked III
and examined the document. He saw
1t was all right and perfectly legal. A
last he said, in low tone and with de
liberation: Il think you might hav,
spent your money much more profit
ably, Monckton, than in paying Year
premium on your life. Bless me! yol
Will live till you are CO.,
81 hope So" said the young. man
D "but meanwhile you take care of tha
l document, and If the time ever come
. that there is money collectable on
: you are the man who is to have it. A
Q you see, have made the policy soiel
1 to you"
{ Thanks, old man." said Grant, as h
y placed the policy on the table.
e WELL" said Monckton, 1I must b
f Off. Won't you come out and take
o drink?'-
!; 81 think not" said Grant; I'm bus
e tonight, but If yod wish drink, hav
o a glass of wine with me-"
o II don't mind If / do" said youu
l. Monckton.
d Grant pushed towards his the glas
1t of wine In which he had sprlnkled IN
p morphine, then he poured out wine fc
r. himself in another glass. Here's I
10 you," he said, drinking.
g Young Monckton drank Off the win