Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-12-02
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
There were only two words ON the
paper which Stanton saw. II was COW
cred with writing, but he saw only two
words-the name of the claimant
Richard Raymond. He didn't know
where he was going. but realized, at
last, that he was again in his office;
though by this time the great building
WAS almost deserted and the cold De-
cember twilight was growing into
night
The very impotency OF his rage made
az more intense and bitter, and the
last Development added fuel in the
obvious fact that it was not even love
for the woman which had tempted the
man, but a plot, from the beginning,
= plot TO secure the property; a plot
which had been carried out. Robert
tanton had silently, helplessly walked
ut of his own library and his house
1 the command of Richard Raymond,
peacefully surrendering all to him.
He thought of the revenge he had
been planning
-sHe is prompt" Stanton muttered.
MY possession does not expire until
midnight. HIM. What of it?"
\ h,tlc later he repeated: ''Ten
years ago tonight" and the spirit
which came with the thought softened
&ha hard lines on his face for an in
Etant-
IF ] were to marry before midnight
he'd lose it now"
For a moment he walked more rap
-sdly, then stopped short.
ASK a woman to marry me within
SIX hours, TO save a fortune? I think
not
IF had only few hours more I
might do something, but now"
he stopped again, this time before
the window, and stood looking out over
the Pickering and flashing lights. He
didn't see them, though. He was think
ing of his uncle, for the hard lines left
his face again.
-'Twelve o'clock. and ali is WELL" he
repeated, and. suddenly turning from
the window. left the gas burning and
the door unlocked and hurried away.
DIR. Morton looked up anxiously as
Stanton entered his Office little later.
His face was deathly pale. Without
noticing the physicians extended hand,
be asked;
s +sDo you recall my uncle's death?"
There was but one construction
which a physician could place upon
such a combination of incidents. and
he replied. in a soothing tone:
certainly, Mr.. Stanton, certainly.
BE seated, sir. IT was a trouble which
as unmanageable only in advancing
years. It was"
''Do you remember the night and
all the incidents ?" Stanton interrupt
Cd
''Why. yes, yes. 1t was the night OF
the storm and the fire. 1 remember
certainly"
sand the moment of his death p
Stanton asked, hurriedly.
~ don't know-let me see. There was
the stroke of apoplexy, and later tn,
heart failure"
-.The storm" Stanton began
-'Was only an incident, Mr.. Stanton
Matters had simply reached a crisis
and waited an excuse. Had the hear
trouble been taken in time"
~You are sure that the death was no
from the apoplexy2''
positively. In spite of thousands o
reports to the contrary, it is law tina
never has been and never will be VIC
hated that man cannot die of simpl
Rpoplexy in less than As hours afte
the shock"
''Then the immediate cause of hi
death was"
~Heart failure, Mr.. Stanton. Moth
Ing else. 1t was simply the crash O
those falling walls. Up to that me
hsA T. l..
our strong hearts stop for an instant
Have you noticed anything in youl
self making you fear inherited tender
ries?"
Nothing whatever. You must e1
1use me. I am in haste" Stanton IT
piled.
'Your face was very pale when 70
came in. Now it is painfully flushed
You should keep an eye on the actio
OF your heart, and"
II will bear it in mind" Stanton II
piled as he left the Office.
He stopped next at Mr.. Borden's, br
the clergyman was away, and there wa
no time to lose. He hurried on to Jude
Rnssell's.
"-Hello. Stanton" the forgiving Of
1nRn exclaimed. It's years since you'V
AonOred us with social call. Come OF
In the sitting-room- The wife's theI
by an open fire."
''Not tonight, judge" Stanton sal
with something almost sigh. I'm OF
of hours, but must consult you pr
8essionally. It's about the date of n
uncle's death"
why, goodness, man, I don't remer
Der exactly, this minute. have it
the Office, and can give it to you the fil-
1hing IN the morning. Or send over ar
get the date of the win. He died Il
same night, you know"
IT have the date of the will. What
want is what you personally remeI
her"
~H'm. Well, remember the stor