Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-11-17

you say, Mr.. McCloud?" resumed DR.
Payton.
yes"
you came here by appointment
IL was in Sandy Bar and Murga.
troyd sent for me; told the stage driv.
er to tell me that was to come here
at once"
What was Murgatroyd doing wher
you entered the room?"
walking up and down like a cageC
animal He had letter in his hand
did he tell you anything about the
letter?'
HE read it to me. It was from
Nate Darrell and said that he-Darrel-
was in town awaiting Murgatroyd't
pleasure, and could be found at Hawk.
bills"
McCloud seemed 60 gather strength
as he proceeded. Excitement was
buoying him up for the ordeal
you knew there was a feud be.
tween Murgatroyd and Darrell"
"Murgatroyd told me. he said that
Darrell was in Sandy Bar and must not
get out of the camp alive. He said
that was to help him put Darrell out
of the way"
A mild sensation was caused by this
announcement.
"Why should Murgatroyd ask you
to help him in such criminal pro-
ceeding?" went on Payton.
Because had helped in other crimi-
nal proceedings, suppose" was the
bitter reply.
Don't go outside Of the Sturgis mat
ter, McCloud," said the doctor, by way
of warning. I'VE only care to know
about this
II am wreck and will soon be be-
yond the pale of any earthly law.
What l am owe to Murgatroyd and
would like to have everything known"
Where did you first meet Murga-
troyd?"
In Denver. Physicians sent me
there for my health. l am the victim
of a strange malady and physicians
were puzzled and could give me little
except advice and suggestions. They
sent me to Denver"
Professional curiosity manifested it.
self in DR.. Payton's manner.
What sort of a malady, McCloud?"
he asked.
1T is nervous, they tell me. Undue
excitement throws me into a condi-
ton that resembles death-but it is
not death, although it has led me close
to it. / can see and hear all that goes
on around me, but there is no notice
able beating of the heart and all the
evidences of death, even to rigor NOR
tbs, may be detected"
Rare, but not unique" muttered the
doctor. THE attacks come on at in
tervals2"
Excitement brings them on. They
have been more frequent of late than
formerly" McCloud turned to OAR
rel. when fed from Sandy Bar,
that night, was beside myself with
| apprehension and Temorse. l took
refuge in that deserted cabin, and feel
ing that an attack was upon me, and
| not knowing but it would be the last,
made a few preparations and
stretched myself out in the bunk,
covering myself with blankets l car
| ried with me.
Then you came, Nate Darrell. Up
to the time you closed my eyes every
move you made inside the cabin was
seen by me; every word you spoke
| heard"
what did Darrell do?" asked Pay
ton, bent on proving barrels story.
| IN
detail, substantially as Darrell had al
ready set them forth.
What were your feelings, Nc
Cloud?" continued Payton.
The utter silence of the room was
broken only by the low tones of the
speakers and an occasional burst of
music from the dance hall.
Il was glad" said McCloud, "glad
| that Darrell could save himself by i'm
personating me. My hope was that !
might die and be found, afteY time,
and mistaken for Darrell g.. IS he in
tended. But fate spared iua for this
final act of reparation. recovered
and, for the last four weeks, have been
living with prospector in the hills. =
Again he addressed Darrell.
81 have what you wrote and placed
over me-" said he. Taking a Morocco
purse from his pocket, he brought from
it ragged slip of brown paper. Read
it, DOCTOR" he added. 1T will prove
that Nate Darrell is man of fine feel
ing"
Payton took the slip and read it
rs there another paper in the pocket.
book?" he asked.