The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-01-13


sit is all my tault," he murmured,
III brought my wife here among
strangers, and devoted all my time
to my invention. No wonder the
people called me crank. Here we
are to-day without friends, without
money, and on the verge of starva-
ton. And my wonderful invention
did it alp
Marion groaned aloud, and his
face assumed IA gloomy look.
"Still, | have had luck in my
day." he continued; ; perhaps it will
return. l ought to have a Iii tie
jest for the sake of the little wo-
man. Poor Julie She has never
called me a crank. She has
never ridiculed my invention. She
has simply waited, and suffered
aud starved u
Early as it was the pawn shop
was open, and Marion entered with
the intention of making a last ap.
peal.
"Keep the things" he said to the
broker, after long talk; "they are
yours if you Will let me have few
francs more.D
81 have told you that it Is impos-
Sible," said The broker shortly,
sand you must not come here again.
But, wait minute"
The broker darted into a back
room and retulued with a queer
looking gun.
"Here is your famous invention"
he said with a sueer; IL was fool
to lend you any money on it, bet as
you said it was worth fortune TO
you | will give it back. Possibly
some idiot will give you break
fast for it p
Marion's lip quivered. This was
the unkindest stroke of fate. He
took the gun aud staggered out in-
| to the street.
Almost before he knew it he bad
reached the bank of the Seine. 1t
was lonely spot aud no Que was
in sight.
81 canuot go back to Julie," he
said, sand see her die before my
eyes. One plunge under tue water
will end my misery, aud the little
woman will soon follow me-"
He looked at his gun and frOwn-
ed.
"l'll take it with me-" he mutter-
ed. "It is the cause of all our
trouble, but it shall not be left be.
hind to benefit some luckier man"
"What have you there, my good
manP7
There was a commanding ring in
the voice, and Marion looked up in
amazement. He saw before him
short, stout man in a long gray
overcoat, the collar of which con-
cealed the, e,sides of bis face.
The strangers question touched
the inventors pride.
"It is new guD," Marion answer
ed, "an invention of my own. II is
breach loading affair, aud if our
military men had any sense they
would revOlutionize the art of war
fare with It,"
"My friend, L know all about
guns. Let me see your invention,
Something in the tone inspired
confidence, and Marion unhesita
tingly complied with the request.
81 see-I see,D remarked the man
in the gray OvercOat. "But how do
you work this y
The inventor eargerly explained.
"This ought to bring you for
tunew explained the stranger,
"No one will look at it," said Ma.
lion, bursting into tears. "PeOple
call me lunatic, and when l met
you had just left starving wife,
and was going to jump into the
Seine.~
"Hum !" remarked the stranger
thoughttully as he surveyed the in
ventOr with a keen glance.
Marion looked hopefully and |
pleadingIy at his new acquaintance.
He could not see much OF his face,
but be saw a man in the prime OF
life, with dark brown hair, an olive
complexion, aud PAIR OF piercing
gray eyes.
"He is somebody" was Marion's |
reassuring thought.
"It / let you have little money
now," said the man with the gray
eyes, "will you give me the gun aud |
come to see me tomorrow and ne
gOtiate for its salei7
alt is yours 7" shouted Marion,
''aUd upon your own terms"
"Tell me something about your
self.1
Then Marion ratified away inco-
hereutly tor several minutes. He
told all about his hopes aud disap- |
pointments, and how his wife had /
followed bis fortunes until starva-
tion stared them in the face.
The stranger turned away and 1
called some Que at a distance. In
response to the call plain looking |
man appeared and made a profound |
salute.
~Take this gun and keep it until /
I send for you" said the stranger.
Sand you, Mon. Marion, will you |
cone 70 see me tomorrow at 10
o'clock =
sCertainly,r said Marion. "Bui,1
81 understand was the curt an-
swer, "Will this supply your needs
for the presentf
Marion clutched the purse greed
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