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

the strength of ten into his hands. They fell
together struggling 10 the ground and rolled
over and over on she pavement. Neither, ut
tered a sound. To and fro they writhed in
fierce encounter. A checking, Undesirable
throat-noise was barely audible for a moment.
Then Darby rose to q sitting posture on the
body OF his antagonist, with his hands still grip
ing at the mans throat. The body under him
gradually ceased its struggles, and became limp
and lifelees. Darby dragged 1t across the side
walk, down into the sheltered basement doorway
under the steps Of one Of the houses. He turn
ed to 60 away. when a sudden fierce impulse
seized him, and he whirled about, pulled q knife
from his pocket, dropped swiftly onto his knees
and plunged it again and again into the motion
less body. Then be walked up the basement
steps and out into the storm again. with a wild
feeling of exultation in his heart; the last flick
erine impulse for good seemed stifed
and every evil passion ran riot within him.
Schemes of wickedness flashed unsought into
his mind, and In an instant took definite shape;
his hands were ready for denopiac crimes,
seeking no end but the accomplishment of evil;
he reveled in these pictures Of imagined malice
and lust He felt IN his pocket for the money
the pawnbroker had given him. 1t was safe.
fash Of remembrance! The metal pawn ticket
was gonel He stood a moment irresolute.
Then the horror of his situation came over him
the helpless instrument Of his own malicious
and evil impulses! What was to become of
hint Was he to 60 unchecked from crime to
crime, to be dragged by his own evil propensi.
ties to prison and the eallowsl His wildly re-
sponsive Imagination pictured himself upon the
fatal stand, the crowd of upturned faces. the
moose, then the black cap over his head, the
choking rope about his neck, the falling down,
tho horrible upward jerk of the taut rope-the
choking, smothering-oh! whore was the tlcketl
He had lost tit must be found. He
must get back his soul once more.
he had dropped it in the struggle. He crawled
on his bands and knees around the fatal spot
back and forth, around and around-it was not
there. He crept down the asement steps. His
hand touched the dead face as he felt about; it
was cold. and the snow that had blown in npon
1t was not melted. AS he explored the body his
hands came in contact with q soft, sticky sub
stance; it was CONCEALED blood. He drew back
for q moment, but he thought he had felt some
thing hard. and he returned to the search. Yes,
at last! he drew the metal out OF the hardening
pool of blood which had formed on the dead
mans breast.
Now that it was in his possession once more.
Darby did not hesitate. Back he raced up the
street. around the corner and down toward the
pswn-broker's shop. He staggered painting
against the door. lt was locked and the lights
were out. He ratified the door fercely and
kicked it In angry haste. At length he saw q
elimmer Of light through one of the frost-cov-
cred panes. The door opened and a voice asked
what was wanted.
Never mind. let me In" said Darby. and
pushed violently against it, but 0 shut guard
@ At6Ao CA4 ~ 49, ~ AO koaA ~ ~
back no farther. This sngered him.
~ want my soul back again" he shouted,
land will have it
The pawn-broker laughed scornfully.
Back SO soonl No. my friend, q bargain Is .
bargain"
With a strength that he would not have been
credited with. the man, in spite Of Darby's ex-
e~rtions, pushed the door to and locked it. The
dim light within faded and disappeared.
For q moment Darby was confounded. Then
his rage broke out in curses; he threw the metal
pawn-ticket fercely at the closed door. 1t
struck q piece of tin inserted in the place Of a
broken glass and bounded back on the sidewalk.
The sound brought him to his senses. He re-
allied that on the possession OF the bit OF metal
depended his hopes OF a care-fres, reckless life.
He CROPPED about till he found il.
Further down the street he turned into q low
concert saloon that was still in full blast. The
ticketseller looked In surprise from Darby's
bedrageled dress TO TIE roll Of bills which he
the main hall Q showiiy dressed aud painted
woman was just beginning q coarse song.
II might have been q week later, or perhaps
more, that the Davn-broker on opening the door
Of his shop early one morning. found the figure
OF a man lying on the steps. He looked up and
down the street; no ono was in sight. he gently
shook the body; it WAS stiff and cold. frozen
TO death. The pawn broker deftly went
through the pockets; not . thing did he
find OF value, money. watch. every
thing was gone. and yet the man
TO look 1T the face; it was hageard. and the
staring eyes we're bloodshot; everything indicst-
ed that this was the result of . reckless course
Of persistent dissipation. A fash of rso-
ignition came across the psvnbroker's face ~
he looked again.