Year: 1878

The Doctor was middle aged bache-
lor well-to-do in the world and having a
comfortable practice. Life had gone on
smoothly enough for him, with scarcely a
break worth recording. He had no
mournful memories OF the past; his af-
fections had never been blighted his
youth he had spent in getting rich, and
now he was satisfied with his worldly ac-
cumulations, but in no haste to secure
aid to dissipate them.


But the dead levels of life get strangely
stirred now and then and as DR.. Win
ter unfolded the paper, his eye fell upon
a paragraph headed, "Sudden DEATH -
Our readers will regret to learn of the
sudden demise of the talented young ar
list, Edgar Percy. He was found dead
in his apartment last evening. His dis
ease was probably some organic affection
of the heart. We are as yet unable to
give further particulars"


Edgar Percy dead Why, it was
only yesterday afternoon that met him
in perfect health"


He took up his hat and gloves with the
intention of visiting Percy's lodging, and
was careessly putting the letters away
when be suddenly exclaimed Percy.
hand Sealed with BID v, too 1 wonder
did not notice:it before. Can it be pos
sible that he writes to tell me of his own
death ?u


DIR. Winter sat down again, and open
ed the sombre missive. 1t was dated the
evening before, and sure enough Edgar
Percy's name was signed to it. Dr.
Winter read -


my DEAR FRIEND 1T is now time
for Us TO depart-for me do die, for you
10 live, and which of us meets the best
fate, God only knows. Do you remember
those words of Socrates, Doctor? While
you are reading this ! shall be cod
enough and quiet enough, too. The veil
will have been rent apart, and the dark.
ened glass withdrawn. You will hear OF
my death. You will stand over me and
wonder that one SO young should rec0il
down so suddenly. The world will raise
upitted hands of ostonishment, and then
Tush on and forget US ere a single morn
has waxed and waned. And yet it is the
fear of this same cold, indifferent world
that compels one te rush unbidden from
its haunts. To you the secret is revealed
Remember, it is the secret OF the dead
betray it not. | have taken n subtle and
deadly poison so subtle that it leaves nc
trace to betray its presence-so deadly
that in one half hour | shall be a corpse
one hal If 10ur ! Then the unveling OF
eternity To you ] repeat, bequeatE
this secret. To you l bequeath the tasl,
of finding out why took my lite in my
own hands, and went out Of the world
dreading its power. | might tell you.-
They say the deeds of all men shall one
er throw myself upon thy mercy, who
know'st my sins already. than live to be
at the mercy Of man My lips shall nev.
er frame the confessi0n-my pen never
write it. Ny death alone ends all. With
me the secret dies. If lived it must be-
come known. You dare not betray the
trust of a dead man. Come and look nj
me after you have read this. Farewell ui


EDGAR PERCY"


DIR. Winters astonishment was toe
vast to find immediate utterance. He
put the letter carefully in his pocket and
went forth to obey the dead mans sum.
mons, "Come and look at me after you
have read this" Aye, that he would.


Standing over the dead in the darkened
parlor, the doctor learned all that the
world was ever to know of Edgar Percy,
fitting. The servant had taken him ir
some warm water the evening before anC
he had given her letter to post. Going
tD his room two hours later to close the
shutters, she found him lying on the so
fa, quiet enough, as be himself had said
The room was in its usual order. He haC
evidently dropped off without a struggle
She did not know to whom the letter wa!
addressed as she could not read writing
but noticed that the seal was black. Mr.
Percy used that kind of envelope always


That was all she had to say, and the
doctor told her she might go and leave
him with the dead.


Very pathetic was that dead face.
mournlul beauty veied the chiselled feat
ures sad smile wreathed the exquisite
mouth. The profile turned slightly aside
gave the head a listening look. Marvel
lous enough, doubtless, were the sound.
now ringing in those ears What wa.
the mystery upon which those lips haC
closed Tor ever? What the coming dis
aster upon which those eyes so feared tc
look that they must need put on the vel
OF death =?


No answer-no stirring of those lips
no lifting of those heavy lids with deatl
for coin weights (!


A tear fell upon the marble brow of tnt
dead the DOCTORS hand fell caressingly
upon the damp locks"


" Poor boy |" he murmured.


But there came time when the sac
beauty OF that face was hid away to awai
the awful change already commenced
when the sad smile seemed like a snee
wherewith the dead mock their own de
cay, and Edgar Percy was forgotten b,
Hll save one.


lie had no clue as yet. Percy had beer
for two years resident Of the place, hat
been successful as an artist, but had n,
relations that any one knew. 1t is known
that he came from She country, but tha
was all. Who were his friends no on
could tell. 1t seemed that he had nom
save those he had made in town. He wa
not in debt. He left behind him sufi
cient to pay the expenses of his funeral
Among his effects, orderly and common
place. there was not a sign of mystery
nor scrap of writing, not even an un
finished sketch to point clue. One thin
the Doctor felt sure Of Edgar Percy
mentally or physically, was the persona