The Elbert County tribune., 1909-01-14

his character TO believe that he wonld
conquer even Death until his iron will
had accomplished his purpose
gathered him into closer embrace
against my throbbing heart,
Don't try TO find my slayer" he
resumed after time. ITS no use
The strikers didn't do II. They are
innocent The key on my watch
chain A pause while he painted for
breath and then he continued broken
~ Secret cr-desk-explains all
Goodbye
| searched his desk for the secret
drawer. supposing II was the big roll
er-top one at his Office to which his
laborions duties held him so constant
slave. But It contained no secret
drawer SO ! turned my attention to his
room. II was my first visit to his
apartments and ! was amazed at the
baroness of them The back room was
lifted up as q sleeping apartment. IL
was not cerPetea and IL contained
only bed. dresser aud washstand of
the cheapest kind Everything about
IL suggested direst poverty II was
as barren as a priests cell.
could not account for this. as
knew that Majors made an excellent
salary and his appearance had always
been prosperous. Sorely troubled By
this discovery, ! turned my attention
to the front room. 1t was almost as
bleak as his sleeping quarters, except
for an easy chair, several cases of
/ md f.tn .ttr l.
desk which would have set coI-
lectors heart beating at dangerous
rate. saw at glance that this was
the desk TINT Majors had referred TO.
One of his keys opened It and looked
abonr for the secret drawer. IL didn't
take long TO locate 1t but experienced
some difficulty In opening 1t. Within,
| found a tin bond-box which the tiny
key from his wa.en chain unlocked.
1t contained two packets, one adj
dressed to me.
Opening the latter packet ! found a
letter with my name upon 1t and set
about reading II at once.
Dear Friend: am within the shadow
OF death as write. A danger which has
lowered over my unfortunate head since
the hour OF my birth Is closing In upon
me. There Is no escaping It, II 1t were
my secret alone, would conf1de In you
but II is not mine and l must let Il die
with me. / am writing this so that s,is-
picion will not attach 10 The strikers
should | he found dead. for they will
have nothing TO do with my aasassina-
ton. do not know when or how 1t viii
come, but do know that the end Is not
far off and thank God for It. I have
no relatives and none will come to claim
my body or the little property that
leaye. want you TO take my desk
books. and easy chair. the only pleasures
that ] have had In life, for 1t is right
that they should go TO you who have
been my only friend
Since my earliest recollection have
nursed my secret sorrow and endeavored
to wait with patience for the blow that
shall fall upon me when II Is least ex-
pected. You came into my life at one OF
Its darkest periods and you have come
Into II again at a time when / needed a
friend more than even In my college
days, and yet could not then nor can
now confide to you the trouble that is
gn8wing at my vitals and keeping my
soul tortured as no poor spirit was ever
punished In the mystic hell OF tho blind
est bigot.
DO not search for my slayer. il will
profit you nothing. Your search will be
la vain. My only apprehension is that
some OF the strikers may be suspected of
my murder. ] have one more favor TO
ship for me and your hope Of happiness
BEYOND the grave. to burn every vcstige
Of paper within the desk where you Will
nnd this letter. especially being careful
to destroy the paoket In the secret draw
er. II you care TO examine these papers
you are at liberty 10 do 30. but I would
prefer. for your own sake. that you avoid
this.
Good-by. my friend.
One of the pictures was 90 bright
eyed laughing cherub of five or SIX
years. The other. was the girl, bics-
somed into the radiant beauty OF n
perfect womanhood. have never
seen a prettier face nor more kindly
and loving one. | know that my friend
had loved her aud that here was moth
ing strange about this. but whether
she was sister. mother or sweetheart
only the cold heart OF my friend
knew and his secret was safe forever
more.
Copyright 1905. by w. @ Chapman,
icopyrisht In Great Brittany