Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-10-04

but as he stopped over her, Cans
seemed already to see the sallow lilies
of her cheeks turning into roses
She scarcely recognized him az he
kissed her; but that would come
right now He would go out at
once and fetch the physician who at
tended the Burg omaster himself
But even before that he had to sit
and rest until his heart ceased beat
ing quite so painfully. Twenty-Five
thousand gulden-4: 3: 2: l. And
all because of one lucky gulden; and
all because of-what? All because
OF bis having been a thief. rascal;
all because he was unworthy to have
kissed Gretchen, or to touch the
hand of an honest man.
He thought and thought till his
brow was cold with sweat, and still n
dark mist stood between him and
Gretchen. Why, it was Just as if he
had robbed Herr Lewis of twenty
five thousand pieces of money hang
ing to him and dragging at him like
so many millstones?
1t was dreadful that fortune should
have come to him in so cruel form
He had never dreamed that he would
really win prize; he had bought Il
lottery ticket instead of bread just
because he was desperate. and be-
cause a single gulden seemed only
enough to throw away; and because
because lightly come lightly gone
And now he was rich with Herr
Lewis money while Herr Lewis him
self was ruined man.
How Herr Marx would have laugh
ed at Cans Mohr!
But l doubt if even Herr Marx
would have laughed at poor Herr
Lewis, who had lost, with his lucky
gulden, not only his fortune and Gre
dit, but his whole faith in human
nature, for he had treated his
treacherous cashier as if he had been
his own son.
What was the use of it all-what
would ever LIE the use OF anything
again? How could he begin the
world again at nearly fifty years old,
n world, too. which he had learned
that he did not understand? He,
who thought himself such pattern
of prudence, had been nothing bet
ter than u dupe and n fool. And
Bertha
No, he must not think of her; or
rather he must think OF her. SO he
closed and locked the door of the
deliberately comfortable bedroom,
which was still his for a little while
longer, so that his thoughts might
not be disturbed.
There was an ancient maxim
amongmerchants, long ago exploded,
that a merchants, solvencv was as
sacred as soldiers honor, and that
when it was gone there was only one
thing to be done. And when one has
lost all ones faith in ones faith, in
ones SELF and in ones kind, ruin !
ceases to be mere question of mon
ay. Yes-Bertha would be the bet
ter off for being rid of father who |
was both n bankrupt ond fool. |
There lay the razor with which lie
had cut his chin only the other day.
Why had it not slipped Il trifle low er? |
From the chin to the carotid artery |
$ not 50 very far.
He drew his finger along the edge; |
t was sharp enough now. One pain
ess moment; would it not be an easy
price to pay for an escape from it all
from his dishonored self, and Il
hateful world?
The thought became fascination.
Presently he took off his coat and |
olded it up carefully. Then he I'M
)uttoned the collar of his shirt and |
eft his throat bare. No-fool he |
night be, but not such a fool as to |
i've when there was nothing to live
or. There; it was ALREADY. So
\owl
Was i'll luck never to leave him? |
'ould he not even die at will? Be
ore he could give the mortal cash |
Bertha was calling him through the
lOOr-
"Fatherl Hereis a man who wants
% see you"
Tell him to go away. Tell him
20 come-to-morrow. Tell him.
81 have told him. But he says that |
lie must see you; that he can't go;
ihat-I think you must see him, IA
her. He says"
every well. | suppose anybody
nay say must to me now" said
Herr Lewis-he could not kill himself
With Bertha at the door and with
some commonplace trouble down
stairs. He would get rid of them
both as quickly as possible, and then
DC his own master again. So, to
vert suspicion, he hid away the
'azor, re-dressed himself carefully,
md went downstairs with dignity,
Is became Il man who was about to
lee the last face he should look upon
live. He would vespared himself
/ last sight of Bertha, but that could
lot be helped now. He had no
bought of giving up his design: his
asst act should be one will.
Herr Levis?" asked a humble
little man, who stood be-
ore him awkwardly, hat in hand.
II am Cans Mohr, sir; the person
hat mended your last pair of pant
He spoke in an odd way
IS if afraid of his own words.
"Oh. And | suppose you've
'rought your bill? I'm afraid yon
must send it to my creditors. I'm
orry for you; but"
"My bill? Oh, no, sir; that was
'aid-thank you, sir-long ago.
We won the prize in the lottery
hats all"
And you want me to beyour bank
80 oeI.oI Hon, | o,,;a |