Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-09-30

of the year the insured man will CON-
NIT suicide. The two living will then
divide the fifty thousand dollars equal
ly between them. OF course you I'M
derstand why year is necessary; the
company would contest payment for
a suicide before the expiration of that
time. What do you think Of the
plan?'
Il felt the blood leaving my face as
turned to Hilson. He met my eyes
and he was as pale as a cloth. Then
we both looked at Morley.
But 1t would be murder / STAN
mered. 1 am not afraid of suicide, but
this is different. Two of us would
kill the other
mo replied Morley, you are
wrong; it is merely question OF the
individual. The man will be absolute
ly free in killing himself; he may
break the compact If he desires, al
though | don't think any one OF us
would do so. AS l see it this is the
only possible scheme. Look it straight
in the face
I'm the next 80 seconds l did some
rapid thinking. To me life wasn't
worth anything without money, and
had had it demonstrated to me that
couldn't make my way in the world
without start. Besides, | had in
tended to commit suicide, anyway, SO
what if / were the unlucky man? l
looked up and caught Morley's eye.
III do it, l said.
"And l, too echoed Hilson
Its settled, then said Morley.
And now for the details
1T would seem the irony of fate
that the proposer should be the victim
of his own scheme, yet such was the
case. When the cards were placed
| cut the ten, Hilson the five, and
Morley turned the deuce.
Let me congratulate you both he
said, extending his hands with quiet
smile.
There were almost tears in my
eyes as l grasped his hand, and l
heard Hilson mutter something at my
side that the choke in his voice rem
dered unintelligible.
I'VE soon arranged the details. The
$4,000 policy was taken out the next
day. Together we managed to get up
enough money for the first premium.
Morley was to remain in New York
until the expiration of year,
when he would end the compact. Hill
son and | were both to leave, and were
not to see him again until after his
death. We were both to keep Morley 8
address, and to send him our parts on
the premium each quarter, but our old
agreement of knowing nothing of each
others whereabouts should be adhered
to in regard to ourselves. Before we
left Morley had arranged to have the
policy transferred to Hilson and my
self, and we had decided upon the
manner in which we should be notified
of his death. Then | went to Aus
tin and secured a position in an insur
ance Office by which l managed to
keep up my payments until received
your wire. You yourself gave me the
first news | have had of Hilson since
our parting"
The stranger paused and consulted
his watch
'Eleven-forty, he said. l wonder
why Hilson doesn't"
He was cut short by a rap on the
door. The lawyer stirred, and al
the second knock pulled himself to-
gether, like a man waking from sleep
The Office boy entered, ushering in
a tall, poorly dressed, travel stained
individual
THE gentleman you expected, Mr.
Howall,' he announced, withdrawing
to the outer office.
And as the man from Texas sprang
forward to meet the friend of his col
lege days, Mr.. Howall, the attorney
reached over and took up the sealed
envelope on his desk.