The Lamar register., 1901-10-16
av0Ver replied. with a smile.

II may be dead by that time," re-
piled. Certainly il must be the tar
get for every assassin's bullet, my
coffin might as well be ordered now"
Saving which. took my own pistol
from my pocket. "You see that? Well.
1t means that after this I'll be as handy
with pistol as'others are"
Mr.. Sonntag eyed me rather sus-
piciously, as though not at all certain
but that 1 would level the weapon at
him.
..Those things are dangerous. Mr..
Conway, and are liable to go off without
warming" he remarked, dryly, after l
had returned the pistol to my pocket.
eyes, I know that. And if there
should be occasion for it to go of in my
hand, you may be sure it will be for
the purpose of hitting something. 1
believe my peace is threatened, If not
my life. How do I know but what that
cellar under my room has been used,
maybe is being used. for some criminal
purpose? If that is true. my arrival
in Nelsonville and taking up my abode
right in the midst of hidden crime
would naturally prevent any contin-
uance of operations, and endanger the
secret. I believe that attempts are
being made to cause me to leave; II
mysterious demonstrations cannot ac-
complish it by frightening me. then
the purpose is to remove me by DEATH"
"There may be something in what
you say" Sonntag remarked, after
moments thought. "But promise me
you will not attempt to shoot the sta
ton agent" he added, with deep ear
nestness.
what? Make no defense against
his cowardly attacks?" 1 exclaimed, in
amazement at my lawyers request.
"He will not repeat it, you may be
sure. At least promise to defer re-
taliation until tomorrow"
"And get shot in the meantime!"
"No. I said it would not happen
again."
"Just let me get my hands on him.
I'll choke the life out of him." was the
only reply made.
"Oh, yes; that's all right. Choke him
all you want to, but please, Mr.. con
way, no shooting. don't mind tell
ing you that any headstrong course on
your part may upset few well-laid
plans for your own good, which give
promise now of fruitful results. Wait
until tomorrow. You shall know all
then. promise you."
1t is impossible to convey by words
the seriousness of my lawyers manner
in making these remarks.
When I was conversing with Mr..
Sonntag there was something about
him which compelled me to feel trust
and confidence, Notwithstanding his
many sayings bearing on some secret
purpose which he was SO careful not
TO reveal.
"Well. I give up trying 70 make you
out" I said, after considering his
words and being impressed by them
"You certainly are the most inexplica'
BILE specimen of country lawyer.
Who are you, anyhowT
"Your lawyer and agent, and. lr.
Conway, let me add. in sincerity, your
friend"
Somehow could not but believe him
at the thine. His words carried convic-
ton.
Pardon me for seeming imperti.
nent," Sonntag said. as he accompanied
me to the door. 'but have you seen Miss
Morley since your arsival?"
"Yes."
And everything IL all right7"
"Yes."
"You intend marrying herr
II have her fathers consent"
"Ah! 1 congratulate you"
Sonntag extended his hand and
A. 4; ;<l s,V,,
diately, and the expression which fol.
lowed strangely disturbed me. Was 1t
sorrow? For what? Or was it pity?
Surely not pity for mel
l went from the office resolved to fol-
low my lawyers advice just this once.
Tomorrow was not far distant, and ]
would know all then. Wondering very
much what this all would prove to be, l
started on my five-mile walk homeward.
Fortunately. encountered Sarah,
who had driven to Twineburgh to do
some trading, and who was just climb
ing into her wagon as came up.
Hello. Sarah." called, as she was
about to take up the lines. will you
give me lift?"
She looked around in surprise, then
expressed her pleasure at seeing me
again as 1 climbed up beside her.
AS we were crossing the track at Sid
ington, I was considerably surprised to
see the station agent at work on the
platform handling some freight. The
fellow really seemed to be ubiquitous.
I had encountered him in Nelsonville,
in Sonntag's Office, and now again at
the station attending to his duties.
His back was toward us and he did
not notice the wagon and its occupants.
Sarah pulled up the team at my re-
quest and I climbed down from the
wagon. was curious to note again
,xhat effect my nresence yvnuId h ave on