The Meeker herald., 1909-02-27

his character to believe that he would
conquer even Death until his iron will
had accomplished his purpose.
gathered him into closer embrace
against my throbbing heart
Don't try to md my slayer" he
resumed after time. ITS no use.
The strikers didn't do 1t. They arc
innocent. The key on my watch
chain" A pause while he painted for
breath and then he continued, broken
ly. Secret drawer-desk-explAi ALL
Goodbye"
/ searched his desk for the secret
drawer, supposing 1t was the big roll
ertop one at his ONCE to which his
laborious duties held him SO constant
q slave. But 1t contained no secret
drawer. 30 turned my attention to his
room. 1t was my first visit to his
apartments and 1 was amazed at the
baroness of them. The back room was
fitted up as a sleeping apartment. 1t
was not carpeted and 1t contained
only a bed, dresser and washstand of
the cheapest kind. Everything about
1t suggested direst poverty. 1t was
as barren as 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 az
bleak as his sleeping quarters. except
for an easy chair. several cases OF
books. and a richly carved mahogany
desk which would have set col
lector's heart beating at dangerous
rate. saw at a glance that this was
the desk that Majors had referred to.
One of his keys opened 1t and looked
about for the secret drawer. 1t didn't
take long to locate 1t but experienced
some difficulty In opening it. Within.
] found q tin bond-box which the tiny
key from his wa.cn chain unlocked
1t contained two packets. one ad-
dressed to me.
Opening the latter packet found a
letter with my name upon it and set
about reading 1t at once.
Dear Friend I 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 Ia escaping 1t. II II were
my secret alone. 1 would conide in you.
but 1t is not mine and I must let It die
with me. am writing this 20 that sus-
picion will not attach to the strikers
should I be found dead, for they will
have nothing to do with my assassina.
ton do not know when or how 1t will
come. but do know that the end IL not
far of and thank God for it. have
no relatives and none will come to claim
my body or the little property that
leave. 1 want you to take my desk.
books. and easy chair. the only pleasures
that have had in life. for 1t il 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 It IL least ex-
pected. You came into my life at one of
Its darkest periods and you have come
Into 1t again at q time whom needed .
friend more than even in my college
days. and yet I could not then nor can
now confide to you the trouble that 10
Bnawin6 at my vitals and keeping my
soul tortured as no poor spirit was ever
punished in the mystic hell Of the blind
est bigot.
Do not search for my slayer. 1t will
profit you nothing. Your search will b
In vain. My only apprehension IL that
some Of the strikers may be suspected of
my murder. have ono more favor to
ask of you. allure you. by the friend
ship for me and your hope of happiness
beyond the grave, to burn every vestigs
of paper within the desk where you will
and this letter. especially being careful
10 destroy the packet in the secret draw
sr. II you care to examine these papers
you are at liberty to do 30. but would
prefer. for your own sake. that you avo.:
his.
Good-by. my friend.
One Of the pictures was Ct bright
eyed. laughing cherub Of five or six
years. The other. was the girl. bios
,omed into the radiant beauty Of
perfect womanhood. have never
'een q prettier face nor more kindly
md loving one. know that my friend
lad loved her and that there was moth
ng strange about this. but whether
The was sister. mother or sweetheart
,nly the cold heart Of my friend
NEW and his secret was safe forever
more.
Copyright. 1908. by w. G. Chapnan.)
(Copyriaht in Great Brittany
Calculating Childhood.