The record-union., 1899-01-08

you meet me at the Hermitage At =
o'clock to-day-or not later than 9
This is q, little odd, but my client IS Pc
culiar. Come on your wheel. and bring
this note, which desire my client to
read. You must know hin1-Old Market.
the cratic miner. Bring your fountain
pen and a couple of quit claim deeds,
for we shall probably leave the Hermit
age richer than when we came. Keep
this matter a secret, and trust IN my
tact! Sincerely,
civilian LUKENS."
1 should explain that the Hermitage
is a lonely spot that nestles IN the
foothills, some ten miles northeast OF
Modesto. It is an abandoned place, ana
is at least four miles from human napl-s
tation. No prospect is more desolate
than the view from it's dreary acres.
The natural desolation is doubtless
made more intense by the fact that an
honorable farmer was once mufoereo
there for his money, since which event
the abandoned building has been known
as "the house of ghosts.
Lukens' note was certainly very odd,
the business was apparently irregu-
lar" and all that-but it awoRe my
curiosity. Besides, life is full OF sur
prises-and. we were in the far West;
so decided to carry out my friends
request without hesitation
1t was now only 10 o'clock-at least
two hours earlier than I need to start.
occupied my time by writing half
dozen letters.
You probably know that men VINO
write great deal become dual-mlndeo,
so that they can compose letter, ana
mentally hum a tune at the same time;
or plan for an evening at the theater,
or recall the scenes of childhood, as the
Pen glides over the paper. This double
feat of the mind is even rendered easier
when one uses type-writer-wmcn
was the way wrote my letters. NOW
it CHANGED that as I thumped the keys
that morning, certain familiar words
of Judge DUNCAN, with whom had
studied law many years before, ran
through my mind increasingly; and as
I pounded away at my work l heard
voice of the past, rising clearly above
the metallic clicking of the macnlne.
1t said, Keep a record OF everything
and put all contracts in writing! so
persistently did the warning ring
through my brain, that I did what
proved to be one Of the most important
acts of my life-I photographed Lukens
note I had been an amateur photog-
rapher since boyhood, and there was a
camera in my office. l Strengthened
out the note, put plate in the holder,
and in a twinkling the touching OF
button had made a counterpart of the
little note that was so rich with mean
ing as to startle the world, as you shall
know. I put the original in my pocket,
mounted my wheel, and was soon on
my way to the Hermitage; but l got
there late on account of an accident on
the way.
80 you're here all right, old fellow"
said Lukens, though a trifie late
Yes, I'm here replied, but I had
to stop and repair a bad puncture,
which delayed me long time
That's all right he said, as he ner-
vously rubbed his hands together, land
the delay has done us no harm, for Old
Markell is not here yet. Now, Croudice,
shall not say anything to you about
details, until Markell comes; but the
plans are we'll laid, and success will be
the reward"
"Of course I'm curious about this"
I retorted, "but since the scheme is your
own, cannot urge you to depart from
your plans, however mysterious the
procedure may seem"
That's WISE" he said; then suddenly
|-"have you the note?"
handed it to him; he struck match,
and it was soon ashes-all trace of it
gone, so far as he knew.
This will tell no tales said he, adj
ding; suppose that we go into this old
house and start fire, for I'm chilly.
It's said to be haunted, but that's all
bosh."
We went into the. deserted cottage
The quaint fire place was soon aglow
with roaring blaze, and enjoyed the
genial warmth. Lukens was strangely
restless, and when 1 asked him why
he was so nervous, he said that he was
hungry, for one thing; "and worried
about Markets delay, for another-but
my plans must not fail"
Probably all will be WE'LL" I said.
''and I've had a pleasant ride, even if
the business fails Don't worry on my
account"
''You are toe forgiving," he said;
then
Have you your revolver with your
was amazed at such question, but
I replied, Eyes, I always carry it; but
why do you ask?"
Because I forgot mine" he said,
"and think can bag a few squirrels
if you'll lend me your gun-or perhaps
you're better shot,
IT can't shoot against the champion
of the county" I replied.
IT'S kind of you to remember my
achievements at the target" he re-
torted.
So handed him my revolver, and we
walked into the yard, stopping near
cluster of trees, not far from the foot
hills. The squirrels were barking among
the high branches, far from the paths
of hunters, and there were enough wild
vines and autumn leaves in sight to
redeem the place from it's reputation for
desolation.
Let me sneak up to the high ground
next to the wood" said Lukens, while
you remain in the open below, for the
two of us might brighten the squirrels"
I stood in the clearing, as he had
asked me to do He suddenly stopped
and faced me.
I'm about fifty PAGES from you now,
don't you think?" said he.
II suppose that's about the distance"
said /, but as I'm not an expert I'll
take your word for it,
Fifty paces," he repeated, that's my
favorite distance at target practice. I
could send a bullet through your heart,
or bore out your eye like FASH
and he pointed my revolver at me.
MY God, mani I cried, 'be careful!
that guns loaded" and the thought