THE OMAHA DAILY 11EE-. THURSDAY, MA"RC1I 20, 1000.
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GREATER LOVE
Hy JAMES
(C'opyrlBht, 1900. by Jumcs Harnes.)
This Is not my story It Is Major Hun
ting's, and bow It came Into my possession
requires a few words of explanation,
I had met the major at a "bow Jinks'
Night" at the llohcmlan club In San Fran
circa. I wan a stranger to California.
Kvcrybody was a delight to me, the free
hearted hospitality that distinguished the
people, tiio delightful climate and, on
this occasion, the franknew, the bonhommlc
and I'hn gool fellowship of this "Low Jinks'
Night."
We had paired off together after tome of
the festivities, and our laughter had aided
tho comfortablo feeling that comes with an
ensy chair and a long cigar. Oood fortune
had It that tbo major sat bcsldo me.
In some way or other tho talk turned to
tho early feverish days of California, when
everything wan muko or loie. at a turn of
the spado (or a card, for that matter), tho
days when chance and luck wore Items In
the reckoning of success, and wh?n for
tunes changed hands on tho "easy lomc,
easy go" principle,
I was very proud to lt beside tho major,
lie had charmed mo from the first. Tall
nn (I soldierly looking, he had tho air of re
servo about him and at the same time tho
riPillnl nlihin ami vnlnn licit nmnrlla nf
fprtlnn nnrl ,lpcn lnf"rpt. I hnd not been
surorlsed to hear that he? was ono of the
nrprlscd
most successful lawyers on tbo Pacific
coaat.
During tho course of the conversation two
names had been mentioned that seemed
well known to most of tho group nbout
tho Httlo tablf. They were tho names of
Itnach and Fcarson, knights of tho green
cloth, types nf men that havo almost dis
appeared In the last decade.
"Very odd occurrence," had remarked the
attorney general, who sat directly opposlto
me. "It waH n causo eclehro that flashed
In tho pan, oo to speak, but I remember
them ns two cold, calculating gamhlera that
knew neither fear nor pity, and tho
strangest mystery pervades tho whole
affair."
Hvcryono seemed to recall It, and thero
was a universal assent. I was afraid to
ask particulars, as lt was evidently so old
a story that It might be boring to the com
pany, no matter how great my own Inter
est might be.
Hut later in tho evening tho major and
I walked home together, and I referred to
it.
"It's a long tale." said the major, "and
if any ono Is qualified to tell It, I am that
man.'
Before parting I had the major's proml'e
that he would write It out for me, nnd a
few months later (after my return to the
east), I received It, and a stranger talo In
nomo ways never was writ. The few lines
that prefaced tho MSS of tho narratlvo were
written on my friend's official paper, dated
San Francisco.
"I havo at last fulfilled ny promise." hli
note concluded, "and hero Is the story, lt
fully explains the statement that I made
last winter to-wlt that I know moro of
tho affair of Itoach and I'Varson than any
man alive." Then, without further prcmlcu
or preamble, he comraonccs:
In tho early daa Nhad never once sup
posed that my acquaintance with these two
remarkable men would outlive tho weeks
we had spent together threshing tho hurry
Ing headquarters of tho Merced, and that
wo should hitvo becomo tho friends we sub
sequently did Is a considerable source of
wonder to me now
I was only a photographer-' assistant at
work In Yojcmlto, when I struck up an
acquaintance with these frlcnds-of-mlnc-that-wijre-to-bo
at their camp (pitched Just
where the brldgo now crosses the stream),
and when my employer left the valley I
stayed behind, and Joined them at Fcarson'a
Invitation. 1 did not know then that they
wero In durance, rusticating, as It were, un
til an episode (In which Itoach had figured
prominently) should drop out of the public's
mind
I have a vivid recollection of thoso days.
The panting trout floundering on tho bank,
the hudh of tho forest, tho sequoias nnd
redwoods, with Ilia breeze In tho upper
branches so far away that I often felt dizzy
as I watched them moving, tbo quick descent
of night, tho spat and clutter of the camp
tire; Roach, a big scar down bis face and
over pno hand, sitting there, nlways playing
solitaire, with two packs of cards no bigger
than two fingers. He smoked great, costly
cigars, that camo wrapped up In foil nnd
tissuo paper, nnd very particular ho ai
about his coffee I used to do the cooking.
I liked Fearson tho better. Ho had n
splendid decp-6oundlng voice, lis knew tbo
uttermost parts nf tho earth, nnd I am suro
that bo bad been a soldier ho was stamped
with It from his heels upward. Probably
ho was 38 when I, first know him. Itoach
was older how much It was bard to say.
Ills age changed with his moods. Fearson
and I read Shakespeare together from
volume bound like a bible, with a clasp.
I became moro nnd moro attached to
them, and I think they grow to llk me
also, I was on Imaglnntlvn youth and,
with lt all, as Innocent nnd an friendless as
a foundling. Many times afterward did I
recall those first days under tho great trees
and the sound of Fcarson'a voice as ha
read aloud, and I wondered at our friend
ship often as I sat below In tho littlo room,
half library, half office, and heard the? Ivory
hall humming, spinning nnd tottering up
stairs In the crowded, silent rooms, whero
I had ncvor boon.
I suspect that samo of my fellow-members
of tho bar would bo astonished If they
know that I ma'do my first acquaintance
with niackstono In that littlo library on the
first floor of Iloach & Pearson's gambling
house. Hut I nm anticipating. This story
telling Is a new thin? to me.
Well, at last ono bright Sunday afternoon
a message camo to me from San Francisco.
Tho episode not very serious, had been
forgotten; the trouble had blown over, and
our camp was broken. Wo parted at Ma
deira station.
Borne months elapsed. It was a day In
June. I was walking tho streets of San
Francisco, unemployed, Ill-clad and hungry,
when I ran upon thorn at the cornor of the
square. '
Fearson seemed glad to see me and Roach
shook hands, although he appeared eagor
to bo moving. Despite my position, I could
not conrel my delight at seeing thoni. I
forgot myself entirely I could do that n
those days. The result was that I dlnod
with them that night. Dressed In my best
old suit, I dined with Messrs. Fearson and
Itoach, two of tho proscribed, well-known,
woll-feared, well-hated (and it Is only Just
for me to say so), well-maligned were they.
That very night I took my first step In
side a gambling house. Kverybody gambled
then, Hut here let mo stato that although
tor well-nigh a year or more I entered this
samo place. I have never staked' a penny
on a game of chance, and I cannot claim
my exemption from the general custom of
the times on any grounds of personal moral
ity. It was the evening of tho dinner. Fear
son was talking to me In the little room
downstairs. The lajnuts, faro, roulette,
poker, were on the floor above.
"Tommy, my boy." he said, "wo're not
in this respected occupation for sheer love
of It."
I tad not yet recovered from the abock
f flndlmc out that he was In It at all.
"Wo're 'cut for tho dust,' as people say.
Hut now. Just a word. I have no right to
lo advice. Ixrd knews, but you can stake
ycur life that what I tell you Is the truth.
O
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HATH HO MAN.
HAUNliS.
If you over wish for happiness don't gam
ble."
Ho laughed rather bitterly. I think, and
then went on:
"We vo had some good times together, you
and I aiid the Uajah, and he'd tell you
the same thing." (Iloach had gone upstalre). ,
'.Now the good times may came nacK again;
1 hopo they will, I've watched you," he
said, tipping iback my chair as be spoke,
"and, bar accidents, you are nil right. You'll
grow a decent man and make something,
I'll back you for It."
"I'm suro It's very kind," I began. "I
can't tell you"
"No, It Is not very kind," he Interposed,
"at least, I'm not bo sure. I have not fin
ished what I was going to e.y. Perhaps It
would havo been better If I had Just nodded
to you today or cut you dond. Uut I could
not have done It. ycu know," he added,
"oven If I'd thought."
tin paused, and I was about to speak, when
again ho stopped me.
"Listen," ho said, "you ntert not talk
afterwards you can do what you please."
"Just now you can't potslbly harm your
pelf by letting mo be your friend. When
tho tlmo comes the time you cannot do so
you'll find It out, or If you don't 1 will
lc" yU mark WC."
"It will never come." I burst out, half
extending my hand, for I was touched
"You can't tell," ho answered. "I think
It will."
I had not noticed until then that Roach
had entered whllo wo wero talking. He
stood there, iblg and silent, clear in the
corner of his mouth, his heavy eyebrowa
arched and his forehead wrinkled In great
folds, while his eyes had a far-away,
thoughtful expression In them. He was lis
tening, I could seo that plainly. !
irarBon glanced at htm and pmllcd: then
ho turned to me again and spoke In that
deep, oven volco of his.
'What I mean Is this," he said. "We
will be glad to see you here, where wo arc
sitting; It's not a half bad place to come
to, fcut up there." and he Jerked hU hand
toward tho stairway, "you do not want to
go here or In any other eel pot. Promise
me.
I looked about the room. It was small.
ns I have said before, but It was big with
hooks. What tempting things books are ti
thoso who lovo them!
"Lot mo tell you something," continue 1
Fearson, a I did not nnsvcr. He place 1
his heavy hand on my knee nnd swung lt
to and fro. "This Is something I would toll
any ono who asked me. No luck or system
cnn beat big odds ngalnst you, In the long
run. We llvo off people who think other
wise: take my word for lt. Don't we,
Rajah ?"
Roach Jingled the crystal pomlants of a
candelabrum with his fingers and nodded.
Then ho throw his big cigar viciously Into
tho flreplaee and left the room.
My dismay at the avowal of my friend's
occupation had faded to a dull regret. And
yet. strango to say, I confessed to a feeling
of resentment at tho rather patronizing air
thnt I thought Fcarson had assumed toward
me. and I remained silent.
Suddenly he arose nnd took a step or two
backward, until ho leaned with his broad
shoulders against a bookcase nnd sprawled
his arms along a shelf and stood there
watching me.
'I nm going to thank you for all of your
past kindness," Eald I, at last, leaving my
chair und walking to him, "and nlso for
tho Interest you've taken In me, and. your
advice."
"Come now, don't try to bo polite," Fcar
son broke In, straightening himself as he
spoke, "and curses for advice It's cheap. I
wish to be your friend If you will let me."
I extended him my hnnd. Ho grasped It
warmly nnd held lt.
"Now sit down nnd make yourself at
home," ho laughed. "Thero are a Jolly set
of books." He pushed me gently away
from him nnd left mo alone. Thero was
a domineering magnetism about Fearson
that I novcr could explain. So I sst down
In ah easy chair, picked out a book, and
read until late or, rather, early In the morn
ing, tho voyages of Magellan, and Fearson
looked In at mo several times. Ho was In
high spirits.
"Hum beggars, thoso old sailor people,"
ho said, "played for high stakes; didn't
they, eh? Islands nnd continents and
they got their names down on the maps
for overlosting. Wo people nowadays are
only dummies."
And wo talked on together for some time
Fearson at his host in the old way I ro
memborcd him.
Then suddenly ho broke off and cursed
ROACH GREW OLD AS HB READ IT.
Himself In a cool, deliberate fashion that
made me shudder.
I went homo when the street lumps looked
dull and very useless, and I dreamed that
someono had Insulted Fearson when ho
was not present, nnd that I bad fought in
his dofenso and wept. Truly I think that
n boy's lovo for a man whom ho admires
and who appeals wholly to bis better na
ture Is much like a woman's.
Within a week aftor my first visit to that
slleut bouse that was so dark without at
night and so full of light within, I hnd
secured a position as day bookkeeper and
clerk In a small hotel well known In those
days, since torn down. Here I suspect the
nana or itoach or Fearson, but I aimed
to do my duty, and perhaps succeeded. I
asked no questions.
"Gudgeons" wero plenty I noticed from
my pcxit of vantage, for every evening found
mo seated In tho corner of the room down
stairs. I had ceased to regard It as an adjunct
to a gambling hell nftcr my first half
hour's experience. I ate and dlgcsleJ
printed pages. I would come there tlngllnj
with tbo desire lo read.
Fearson somotlmes mot me. If not, I
stolo In quietly nnd found my book with
a sense of delightful anticipation. I would
lit back In tbo easy chair nnd dream for
hours.
Roach Beldom spoke, although ho never
seemed to dislike my presence there and
m. !"y . ....
Many men who are not yet old have I
seen go up tbo carpeted staircase to where
tho cards whirred softly, ehufllcd by deft
fingers, and the Ivory chips cllttered mu -
Blrally. ltko castanets.
Joyous days Fearson and I had together
when we left the city behind us every Sun-1
day. and how his spirits used to rise until
he was a boy again. O! the delightful far I
nlcnte times, when we drifted out toward
tho Golden (late or lolled In the nhadc under
I the trees on the Islands. And so the weeks
rolled by.
I It was upon one of theso excursions that
j f.Vartfnn flrat allecvAetnil In mn thn 1,11 nf
mopUnB a profession and tnklng up the law.
"Vogue lo galore," Fcarson had exclaimed
tthpn j ha(, ratner ,ioubtcd my nullity to
succeed, which means, 'pitch In, come what
may aml t know ym cnn lt .
ThIs Btatcmcnt hud given me a thrill of
Intcnso delight, as might the encouraging
confidence of an elder brother.
Small things change tbo current of one's
life. I there determined to becomo a lawyer.
My self-interest began to grow ut once.
For tho six months following I read law
niua.iny aim reurson coacneu me in my ,
Latin. Ho seemed delighted when I asked
n question, leaning heavily on my shoulders
like a proud affectlonato tutor.
A nil here nn odd thing that I bad noticed
long before.
Fcarson did not have much to say to tho
frequenters and casual patrons of the up
stairs apartment. Hut Roach us;d to greet
them In a rather ovcr-mnnnered way.
ubuuii bu luvauiii, in- nun Ki.iutuua 111 Was trembling.
every tone nnd gesture the grnclouancss of I "i00K here." he went on nervously, "I've
tho proprietor anxious to conciliate or to becM prayI1K lately think of that! nnd d'ye
reassure. It amused mo to watch him. know, I'm going away soon. Hack to a
Hut a cloud was growlng-nnd all this , llUo placo wncre most people have for
was v.on to end. Huslness steadily dcireiBCd goltc lno. There's an old man living there
nnd Hoach grew sullen. It wns now qulto wm,sc heart I've broken, and, nud, he'd die
a year how quietly It had gonesince I had happy If I knelt down beside him I'm
first begun to spend my ovenlngs In a gamb- crine to do It. lad, God willing nnd Cod
T f . . 1 1 .. ,, I. .. ....... .. 1 . . .. I.. V. I - ,
ling homo. I was becoming dejply Inter
ested In myself nnd the possibilities that the
future held for me. I felt that Fcarson was
cooling towards me, when In fact It was
tho other way. I wns changing to him and
I know now thnt he saw It.
It was at this time that I entered a law
olflce at a nominal salary and Fcarson
closed tho dcora upon me. Tho day had
come. I nm .sure niy pecmlng Ingratitude
rnvst l'Jve hurl him badly.
Ono night I fo.ind the law library, from
DOWN THEY WENT
the little front room, at my lodgings, wlth-
out a word to etxplaln Its presence, and call
ing to seek an explanation (oven against
ordors) I found the house where 1 had spenl
so many happy hours closed and deserted.
Oneo, after a few weeks, 1 met Itoach on
tho street and Inquired for his partner. I
did so, I am ashamed to say. In an ofthnnd
manner thnt gavo mo many a qualm of con
sclenco afterward.
Why should I have been ashamed of the
deep nffectlon, nay. even love, that I bore
Fcarson, wbcit ho had dono everything for
me, anil why should a nature such as his
havo become so warped and twisted out of
line, nnd yet remain so Ptrong nnd true, I
cannot tell. He wns certainly an exception
to tho universal rule corruptlo optlinl pes
slma. To my surprise Roach answered curtly
that "he know nothing of Fenrson's where
abouts, denied all knowledge of the law
bookn and showed no pleasure at my volun
teered Information about my prospects. So
we parted wi'nout even a nod of good feel
ing and went .ur different ways.
I saw blm many times In the next two
years, but his llfo nnd mlno were wide
opart nnd ho seemed to havo forgotten my
existence.
Three years sailed part In the fog. Heforo
tho next would come and go I would bo a
member of tho bar of California. I was of
age mul had fallen in lovo. This, with n
certain sclf-rellanco some small success
had brought mo, must havo changed mo
somewhnt. Yet when I taw Pearson's face
looking out of tho window of a passing cab,
I forgot my dignity, and with my green bag
over' my shoulder I ran after the rattling
four wheels, and, catching It, Jerked at the
door hnndlH and almost plunged Into Fear
son's arms.
Ho was never exactly demonstrative, but
he was werjoyed to sec me and bliook rao
by tho shoulders until my head ached.
Hut ho was sadly changed. His neatness
In his dress was gono und then he smelt
of liquor. His faco was pale nnd rather
worn and his eyes wero not so clear nnd
bright ns they used to bo; desplto his sleep
lets nights. I saw he bad been III.
Almost his first Inquiry was for Roach.
"Had I seen him?" "No, not for months."
I felt piqued that ho did not ask nbout my
self. It seemed unkind.
"Don't leavo mo, Tommy boy," ho said.
"Drlvo with me, wo must find tbo rajah."
Tho cab rumbled on again.
1 looked at Fearson closely. I felt aa If
ho wero not he at all Ho placed bis hand
cn my kneo In the old way and at last bo
broko the silence. He told mo that he had
only Just arrived In town. "Hack from boll
nnd nowhere," ho sulci. Hut one thing he
must find Roach at once.
I grew frightened at thla persistence and
tried to tell him about my own pcultlon anJ
future, almost in desperation.
It was no use. He paid no attention to
me; looking out of the windows freni slda
to sldo and 'bolting out of tho carrlugo into
tho places where hn thought he might find
Roach with a "Walt here, I'll bo back"
and a slam of tho dcor.
Two or three times I was tomptcd to clear
out and leavo htm In tho lurch. Hut for
somo reason I did nat do so.
Frcm tho last place he entered he shot
cut on a run,
"He's been there," be shouted. "Hack to
tho ljotcl. Drive! Drive! you lazy devil,"
he screamed to the man on the box. "Drive
quickly."
" BHy, ',iupo"'"-' awirac
tlnn. lift fcnt lr tn n hlih ovMtrwl vrxl T
' could Just hear what he snld ab.vo the roar
of our fast drlv.ng.
He wanted to hear everything about me,
ho uld. Hut Just now h? mut fl-d U tub,
Tonight hed tell me everything we'd have
nn old-time pow-wow.
t tricj t0 smile and nodded, as we swung
harp about o corner and pulled up at the
hotel. It was well we stepped, tho horses' '
knee were trembling and their heads pitched
fcrwarcl. Pearson glanced at tho clock and
gave a sigh of relief. Hp paid the fare In
small change, fished up from various pock
ets nnd was somewhat short of the nmount. I
lt wna quite pitiful to etc his flngera search-
Ing fruitlessly. lie blushed like a school '
girl when I handed lt to the driver, but !
made no comment. !
The reeking horses were slowly driven off I
and I turned to Fcorson.
"How long Is lt since you have seen i
Iloach?" I asked to relieve the silence.
"Three years wo split, you know." ;
"Hut you wero making money?" I half
Inquired.
"It's all back In a hole In tho earth. I '
blew It Into tho place It camo from fast i
ns we made It." Fearson answered. "it )
was the gambling desire, I suppose, i
Tm,rp ,s othor excitement, except, per
i,-,,.ii n,t
1 looked at him In astonishment. He
probably divined thought.
"Oh. no; not that," he said quietly.
"Roach knew. He trusted to my luck. I
was Just a fool. I wanted to get rich, and
quick. Hut Tom. old chap, my luck's gone
and worse, too. 1 fear." Ho stopped and
bit his teeth Into his lower lip, which
help me."
Could this be the old courageous Fearson?
This man whoso eyes were filled with tears
and whose voice broke wcnkly. I found
myself studying his face attentively. He-
fore I knew what wns cnn' 'ad slipped
tho gold ring he wore uum tils middle
finger, saying: "Keep It, Tom; not for
link, dear boy, but Just because I want
you to."
As I took lt I noticed that Pearson's
palms wero calloused and the Inside sur-
ON THE FLOOR.
face of tho ring was scratched and dented.
I balanced It in my hand and for tho life of
me I could not think of ono word to say.
I wished to put my arm about him and
comfort him. Hut, of course, I could not do
so then, and wo stood thero silent In the
lobby, Fearson glancing up and down tho
street and back Into tho long corridor of
the hotel.
"Don't think me Inquisitive, pray don't."
I said, at Inst: "but why are you so anxious
to find Roach?"
He looked at me.
"Tommy," bo said. "If I don't find him
boforo somobody elso does, something will
happen; mark my words.",
"Why?" said I.
"It's all on account of n woman," he said,
"but what under the sun a man like the
rajah can seo In a creature like that put me
out of It; and yet, at a nod of her head
nnd It Isn't even a pretty ono I believe he'd
go to hell. It's strange, d d strange!"
"I don't exactly understand." I said.
"Well, tho sltuntlon Is this, son," said
Fcarson, speaking slowly nnd pulling at his
long mustnebe. "Do you remember the
pictures of tho 'Datico of Death' In tbo
llbijiry?"
I recalled at onco the drawings of Roland
son tho skeleton, armed with a dart about
to nttnek somo unsuspecting person in the
midst of happiness or contentment.
"Yet. I do not exactly understand," I
said. "Speak plainer."
Foarson appeared to look over my head,
but ho answertd slowly nnd distinctly.
"Thero's somo ono looking for Roach, and
death Is with him." he said. "Something
will happen here. I take It, In the next fow
minutes If" Suddenly he about faced,
and walked slowly Into the hotel lobby. Ho
was breathing loudly and trying hard to
swallow like a man whose throat Is parched
with thirst. Standing close to tho elevator
wero a man and woman. Tho man I knew
hy sight. He was dressed In a long black
coat, bis hair was gray, and his eyes, small
nnd narrow, glittered evilly like a hawk's.
Ills namo was Terrlss. 1 remembered hav
ing heard It said that. In tho old days, the
vigilantes had overlooked hlin. The woman
never took her eyes off his face. The paint
on her Hps, drawn tight across her teeth,
wart blotched, nnd her mouth had a blurred
appearance. Her frightened hands rubbed
against tbo side of her skirt. I saw all this
from following Pearson's oyes. Tho ole
vator slid down and stopped softly. Thf
man graiped tho woman by the arm and
went inBlde. Hut boforo tho boy could close
tho door Roach stepped quietly around the
shaft, coming from come side entrance.
Fearson and I were close behind him and
wo all thrco entered the narrow box to
gether. What happened then came so quickly
and was such n shock to me that I feel al
most faint now when I romembsr It.
Iloach turned and saw Fcnreon, but before
ho could say a word something came from
Pearson's Hps a sound short and horrid,
like tho 'breaking of a bone.
And ho struck Roach full In tho faco nnd
closed with him!
Down they went on tho floor. Roach
with a hearse, cursing cry (Go1! what a
sound It wns). Tho woman gave n scream
and threw herself helplessly upon the gray
man's bhoulder. shrieking incoherent words.
Ho half-supported her; his co.it was opon
and one hand wns behind his back. M
chunlcally I pushed tho struggling, thrust
ing tanglo of gro.it llmbi and bodies with
my foot, to keep them from tbo opci door
way ns tho car nsccndo.1. Roach bad
stopped his cursing and groaned In hasty,
. . . - ' '
I n top. lean over, and bring hi face clo e
to Roach's. Ho was saying rometblng, low.
VCath his breath but Rn.vh bit it him
Uko a fighting dog, his teeth snapped to-
gcther, nnd he caught his own lips between
them, and the blood reddened over hU
chin.
Just then the elevator struck tho top
nnd nearly threw me off my feet. Ter
rlss drew tho woman out on the landing,
the boy ran shouting down the hall, and I
was left alone with all that dreadful strug
gle on tho floor.
Fearson glanced at me sideways and
spoke In a bard voice he was panting
loudly.
"I was Just In time. Pull thnt rope and
run us down. Hurry!" he said.
I obeyed without n word. How slow It
seemed to drop, and all the time Fearson
was talking to tho moaning figure under
him, whose wrists he held In the clasp of
his strong fingers.
"Don't struggle, Dick. D n It. man.
I had to. Don't you hear me! Do was
going to shoot you; sho told me so. Listen!
It's I, old pal Fcnrson. 1 had to do It.
Listen! There, stop. I won't hurt yon.
Dick. Dick, old boy, he'd shot you through
his coat. Come all tho way from Pinto
Just to do It. My God! he docsu't henr
me. 0, d n the woman's soul!"
Iloach wns moving his hands, still at
tempting to free himself. His eyes only
showed tho whites nnd he was blowing
bloody bubbles through his teeth.
Fwrson looked up at me. "What nm
I going to do? God help me," he asked.
"I've hurt him badly."
We reached tho bottom at last with a
creaking blow on the woodwork. Thero
was a crowd gathered there already.
Fearson let go his hold and got up on
hln feet. He was so cool and carnrst and
appeared so right that no one offered to
touch him nnd ho backed slowly out into
tbo hall.
Two or threo men raised Roach and he
stood there swaying, deaf nnd blind with
tho de.ilre to kill, his head thrust out, ns If
ho peered through smoke, and his blcody Jaw
dropped horridly. They might havo known,
It seems to me. but tho movement was so
quick, perhaps they could not have Plopped
It. The flash and report came together. It
seemed as if fomethlng went off Inside my
head and breast.
I saw Fcarson lurch forward across an
eapy chair, coughing and strangling. There
was a spattering on tho white tiled Moor.
Roach drew himself up 'with tho air of a
drunken mnn who tries to keep his dignity,
handing the revolver to the bystander near
est him. and staggering away asking for
an officer In a husky voice.
The pistol smoke smelt like a noxious gas
and nearly overpowered me.
They carried Fearson, or drngged him
rithcr, Into tho nearest washroom and laid
him on the floor, with some dirty towels
underneath hln bend. I knelt bcsldo him
nnd placed my cheek closo against his. One
of his lungs was filled with blood, but he
could whisper.
"Havo you a pistol, Tom?" he said In
my ear. "Put it in my pocket. It'll go
easier with him If they find a pUtol he was
crazy meant to mve him stood between
me and a knife, he did, once long ago cut
him to strings." Ho was lisping thickly.
"Met them on train, he managed to tell
mo. Terrlss got hold of Roach's letter; they
were going to clear out sworo to kill him
Terrlss did. Fight detracted htm sho lost
nerve blabbed been going on for years.
O, Tom, I'm going to die don't let him
know ride straight! Pray quick, prayers
O, God!" I held my ibrenth while he was
dying, the doctor fumbling about his chest.
I remember they covered him with a cloth
from tbo billiard table: a man in a blue
coat took down my name and I struggled
through the crowd.
I could not think of what had happened,
and looked stupidly at the heavy seal ho
had slipped off his finger into my hnnd hut
a few minutes before. The crest had been
defaced and I could mako out the word
"Veritas" spelt backward.
Porfunctorlly I finished the errand I had
started on earlier In the day; tho filing of
some papers at tho court house, and, still
dazed, I heard the nowsboyB calling "extra"
on tho street.
There is tho sum of tho following day, and
I hnve finished. I did not go to bed that
night. I thought I should never sleep ngaln,
and I made all the arrangements for Fear
son's funeral, after the Inquest, with a heavy
heart. No ono know anything of his family
or his pnst. I seemed to be his only friend.
One thing I know ho was a gentleman.
Tho second day I slept, and when I awoko
thero was a noto brought to mo from Iloach,
Imploring mo lo call and see him. Ho was
held a prisoner It wns not his first affair.
For somo reason I felt no roscntment
toward Roach. 1 was still numbed. I could
not analyze my feelings for him. I did not
caro whether they bnnged him or let him
go Fearson was dead.
So I wont; and found him, not In a cell,
but seated In a large, cage-like structure In
the Jail corridor. Ho appeared quite com
fortuble, and was smoking.
Thero was a skylight In the roof abovo,
and tho placo was full of sunshine. Tho
reality and horror of tho wbolo occurrence
Btruck mo moro forcibly. Up to this time
I could hardly realize It.
Not a detail of the place or of the Inter
vlow escaped me. I do not bcllevo I said a
dozen words. One sentencei was In my
mind, "Cain, you'vo killed your brother."
iAs soon no ho saw mo he arose and no
can to talk. 1 would bo a witness for hlm-
I taw tho assault, how unprompted It wns
nnd then "before a lady." Ho "wns In tho
right."
I did not answer; If I bad I would hnve
blurted out tho truth.
Roach went on and called Pearson a "crazy
fool" Fearson "a crazy fool!"
Just then somo ono camo down the corrl
dor and handed him a pleco of paper through
tho bars and went away. I his faco
pale. It was In Pearson's handwriting, that
note. I knew that pleco or paper: Pearson
had scribbled It In tho cab tho dny befnro
and left U at tho "Turf Exchange."
Roach grew old as ho rend It. I had
novcr thought he was no old a mnn.
noticed many things. HIs mustnche wbs
dyed, his hair was very thin, his gas
bleached faco was full of tiny wrinkles. Tho
great scar down his check stood out llko a
fresh burn. Tho cigar simply dropped out
of bin nerveless lips and he mado a shivering
sound as If bo wero cold or freezing. I
pitied him. Ho finished and spread himself
along the bars for support. Ho did not say a
word. I could not lift my oycB to his and
turned-.away.
Then I heard a sound that mado a chill
run up my back.
"Pst! I'M!" thp nolso that people often
make to attract attention In a crowd.
I glanced around and such a sight I p.iw!
Roach bad one arm stretched nt full
length through the cage across tho narrow
passage to the? left. There wno a stand nf
Springfield rifles thero cloao ngalnst the wall.
'Havo you ever seen a person reach for
something on a high shelf, something they
could Just touch with the fingers?
"Tip It. Tommy" (bo never called me by
thnt namo before). "Tlr It." he said In a
cringing entreaty. "Go hhead; you can do
i it." he nddfl with a hideous Insinuation.
i I could not stay thero longer, I li-famc
eci weak. In my mind now ns I wrlto I can
' sco a blg-l:nuckled. hairy hand, with n dla-
mond flashing on the mlddlo finger, reach
ing reaching. .
Almost as I went through the swinging
I doors the rfprrt camo to mc.
I beard vrlcrc Inside thn building and a
j reporter rushed past me, his face nblazo
with news.
I Tho papers were all wrong. They who
' rrrnnmber !t and read this will learn the
truth.
To secure the orlslnal witch hazel salve
ask for DeWltfs Witch Hazel Salve, well
known as a certain euro for pile and skin
diseases. Beware of worthlcsa counterfeits.
They are dangerous.
President
McKinley
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Philadelphia June
19 next.
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