The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-29

years. Every three months you can. by bring
ing me back that piece of metal receive a similar
sum. which is more than sufficient to make life
fuf of ease and pleasure. At the end of ten
yo6rs you can have your soul back again, he
smiled evilly, provided you come for it. But
you must present the pledge in person. I re-
member" he went on, with q demoniac pleasure
in the train of talk, lone fellow, whose time ex-
pired the night before he was hanged. He sent
by one of the jailers asking me to return his
soul before it was too late. l was sorry not to
be able to him. He tried to say
something about me on the gallows. but his talk
was so wild that they slipped the cap over his
head and shut it off. Ten years may not seem
long to you, perhaps. but very few ever claim
their property again"
Darby was surprised at the GOODNESS with
which he received these cold -blooded words. He
picked up the bills, counted them over and
slipped the metal ticket into his pocket A wild
delight at the ability to return to his old pleas
ure filed bis breast: together with a feeling Of
fendish freedom from restraint-sn exultation
in the ability TO live. to live as he wished, to
feed the passion dulled by poverty and want.
He threw of the cowed aspect that had marked
his disgrace. He looked q moment into the
glowing. %exultans eyes of the pawnsroker; then
his glance caught the fitting leer iu the braZen
faces Of the andirons, and fingered for sp instant
in the wrlthing snakes of the Medusa. He
turned and without a word tore aside the cur
tain and strobe through the dim rubbish piled
shop. The pawnbroker called, Good evening, y
after him in a hooking voice. The door clashsd
and the bell tangled behind him as he stepped
out into the storm. The storm still drove down
the deserted street. though with less fury
than before. But Darby did not mind it.
He delighted in it. Ii seemed as il it's
recklessness was the outward counterpart of his
inner freedom. He felt as il every evil passion
were unchanged and loneed for expression, and
he almost shouted as he fingered the money IN
his pocket. He saw q policeman half doing in
an entry and he felt q wild desire to kill him. he
knew not why.
At length Darby turned into q side street In
most of the houses the curtains we're drawn.
but he passed one with uncovered lighted win
dows. A within led him to stop and mount the
steps. Leaning Far over he could just peep in.
In the back parlor a woman sat evidently read
ing aloud to TWO children. one sitting on her lap
the other at her feet on q little stool. The eager
expressive faces were turned iutently toward
their mother. One of them started, possibly
having seen his face at the window, and when
.he womanis face was raised tho lamplight fell
full upon it. my God.' exclaimed Darby as he
drew back on the steps. Elise! Strange 1
should have happened on her too. The two
women who made my life what it is.n
he ran down the steps; hate. bitterness and
passion once more filed his heart. II things
had been different she might have been his wife,
and those his children. He rushed on wildly,
driven by his OWE fierce thoughts. He cursed
the mani who had robbed him Of the only
woman he ever loved. For q moment the money
in his pocket was forgotten. Again he was an
~outcast, penniless, wretched, the hopeless bearer
OF q useless and degraded life. He felt the blood
rush fercely in his veins, as the venomous and
passionate thoughts swarmed in his brain. A
sudden light fell across his ewes and brought
him back from his bitter reverie to the con-
seriousness of his present surroundings. He was
Just passing under a street lamp, and the narrow
circle of lighted space was filed with whirlinc
fakes of snow that dashed across and out into
the darkness again. Darby heard footsteps
down the street: a mans form came into sight:
as he drew near Darby saw his face, where the
light fell upon it. while his own was ia a
shadow. A sudden resolve, borne Of his bitter
thoughts and evil passions, took possession OF
him. The man passed him; as soon as he
passed the iamp-post. Darby turned and ran
after him.
ION. sirr" hescried, with half bowed head ard
AFFECT voice, take pity on a homeless man.
Give me q lttlsEor a nights lodgins,"
The man half stopped and looked sharply on
the shrinking figure by his side. They were
out of range of the light; the snow fell fast; not
. sound 10 be heard or q person in sight; they
were alone in the midst of the storm and the
night. The cri1ging form suddenly lifted itself
up.
.I know you. Mr.. Howard Berkely, IL you do
fail to recognize me. 1 don't want your money. v
cried Darby. II have plenty" and he pulled
out the roll Of bills md shook them in the mans
face. IL would not touch your cursed money.
Do you suppose that could pay for what You
stole from me years agol Yes. you stole it
stole it," Darbvs voice rose in . shrek above
fs: h %., Th of the I. r sas on1 1EsI' hing s s..l' psy iG nv:
now-but one thing
Darby" began the man aim tone. 'if
ever l.
Ikea iash Darby had sp1 throat,
his ciutchinR fingers were q neck.
The two figures sRnysd and ana