The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-12-07
CHAPTER III.

There were only two words on the
paper which Stanton saw. 1t 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
it 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
Stanton had silently, helplessly walked
out of his own library and his house
at the command of Richard Raymond,
peacefully surrendering all to him.
He thought of the revenge he had
been planning.
HE is prompt" Stanton muttered.
MY possession does not expire until
midnight. HIM. What of it??''
A little later he repeated: Ten
years ago tonight" and the spirit
which came with the thought softened
the hard lines on his face for an in
slant.
IF were to marry before midnight
he'd lose it now
For a moment he walked more rap
idly. then stopped short.
ASK a woman to marry me within
six hours, to save fortune? I think
not.
IF 1 had only a 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 LETT
his face again.
"Twelve o'clock, and all is WE'LL" he
repeated, and, suddenly turning from
the window, left the gas burning and
the door unlocked and hurried away.
DR.. Morton looked up anxiously as
Stanton entered his Office a little later.
His face was deathly pale. Without
noticing the physicians extended hand,
he asked:
DO you recall my uncle's death?"
There was but one construction
which physician could place upon
such combination of incidents, and
he replied, in a soothing tone:
''Certainly, Mr.. Stanton, certainly.
Be seated, sir. It was a trouble which
is unmanageable only in advancing
years It was"
DO you remember the night and
all the incidents?" Stanton interrupt
ed
why, yes, yes. 1t was the night of
the storm and the fire. I remember.
certainly"
And the moment of his death ?"
Stanton asked, hurriedly.
Il don't know-let me see. There was
the stroke of apoplexy, and later the
heart failure"
'The storm" Stanton began
WAS only an incident, Mr.. Stanton
Matters had simply reached a crisis
and waited an excuse. Had the heart
trouble been taken in time
you are sure that the death was not
from the apoplexy?"
"Positively. In spite of thousands of
reports to the contrary, it is a law that
never has been and never will be vio-
lated that man cannot die of simple
apoplexy in less than 4S hours after
the shock"
''Then the immediate cause of his
death was"
Heart failure, Mr.. Stanton. Moth
ing else. 1t was simply the crash of
those falling walls. Up to that mo-
ment he was improving. 1t made even
our strong hearts stop for an instant.
Have you noticed anything in your
self making you fear inherited tenden-
cies?'
Nothing whatever You must ex-
cuse me. I anu in haste" Stanton re-
piled.
Your face was very pale when you
came in. Now it is painfully flushed.
You should keep an eye on the action
Of your heart, and"
II will bear it in mind" Stanton re-
piled as he left the Office.
He stopped next at Mr.. Borden's, but
the clergyman was away, and there was
no time to lose. He hurried on to JUDGE
Russell's.
"Hello, Stanton" the forgiving old
man exclaimed. "Lt's years since you've
honored us with social call. Come out
in the sitting-room. The wife's there
by an open fire."
mot tonight, judge" Stanton said
with something almost sigh. "I'm out
of hours, but must consult you pro-
fessionally. It's about the date of my
uncle's DEATH" %"%'
''Why, goodness, man, I don't remem
Der exactly, this minute. T have it al
the office, and can give it to you the first
thing in the morning. Or send over and
get the date OF the will. He died the
same night, you know"
II have the date of the will. What
want is what you personally remem
ber." .#G]3ah5&55.@'
HIN. Well, I remember the storm