The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-11-29

'At's.i' AiS iiSu u tetter In his hand"
letter?"
HE read 1t to me. II was from
Nate Darrell and said that he-Darrel-
was in town awaiting Murgatroyd's
pleasure. and could be found at Hawk
bills"
McCloud seemed to sather strength
as he proceeded. Excitement was
ouoying him up for the ordeal.
You knew there was n feud he
tween Murgatroyd and Darrel?"
"Mursatroyd told me. He said that
Darrell was in Sandy Bar and must nor
get out of the camp alive He said
that | was to nelp him put Darrell out
Of the way"
mild sensation was caused by this
announcement.
Why should Murgatroyd ask YOU
to help him in such a criminal pro-
| ceedinS@ went on Payton.
Because had helped in other crimI.
nal proceedings. I suppose" was tho
bitter reply.
Don't go outside OF the Sturgis mat
ter. McCloud," said the doctor, by way
OF warming. I'VE only care to know
| about this
Il am wreck and will soon be b.
You'd the pale of any earthly law.
what am owe to Murgatroyd and
would like to have everything known
Where did you first meet Nurgn-
troyd?"
In Denver. Physicians sent mo
there for my health. I nm the victim
of n 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 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 1t has led me close
to it l can see and hear all that goes
on around me. but there is no notice
able boating of the heart and all the
evidences of death. even to rigor NOR
tbs. may DO detected"
Rare. but not unique" muttered tho
doctor. The attacks come on at in
tervnls?"
Excitement brings them on. They
nave been moro frequent OF late than
formerly" McCloud turned to OAR
rel. When I fed from Sandy Bar.
that night, L was beside myself with
apprehension and remorse. I 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 1 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 l
heard"
What did Darrell do?" asked Pay
ton. bent on proving barrels story.
McCloud recited barrels actions 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 WINS
broken only by the low tones of tho
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
2ersonating me. My hope was that l
might die and be found, after a time.
Ind mistaken for Darrel-just as he in
tended. But fate spared me for this
iinal act of reparation. 1 recovered
and. for the last four weeks. have been
living with prospector in the hills"
Again he addressed Darrell.
Il have what you wrote and placed
over me-" said he. Taking a Morocco
purse from his pocket. he brought from
It a ragged slip of brown paper Read
t. DOCTOR" he added. 1T will prove
hat Nate Darrell is man of fine feel
ing"
Payton took the slip and read It.
is there another paper in the pocket
book?" he asked.
This
1t was the writing which told of the
marked bullet and a deep breath es-
capped the listeners when its contents
were made known to them
Let us come back to your relations
with Murgatroyd." proceeded Payton.
You say they began in Denver?"
Yes; in gambling house in Dem
yer. l played there night after night.
forging checks to cover my losses.
Murgatroyd took the stolen money and.
hndlng me an apt pupil, taught me
how to play with him and help him
fleece others. l went from bad to
worse. Friends paid the amount of the
forged paper. hushing the matter up.
from that hour. however. l was lost.
The letters of Murgatroyd's deviiish
influence were things from which 1
could