Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-12-21
CHAPTER II.

Nn<A1 AEh IL
At twelve o'clock the next dav they
met in the road. They came afoot.
Before we enter into this little COM
petition" said Podsley, 1--WE stake our
honor as gentlemen to carry out every
detail of this contract, and to do so
without carping or grumbling. If
win, you take the poison as soon as 1
give it to you; if you win I shall do
the same
81 agree. My honor, which is worth
more than my life, is at stake"
Here, flip this coin"
Podsley won. They are now stand
ing in the woods. Billings took out
his confession. II viii be found hold
ing this in my hand" said he. 81 have
left a copy of it at home so that there
will be no question about its genuine
ness"
He broke a vial against tree and
said: Give me that" Podsley was
holding vial in his hand. II say,
give me that and let's have this thing
over. Why don't you give it to me?"
81 will in my own good time. Mind
you, your life belongs to me. When I
call for il, you must, without word
in objection, yield it up. / will see
you again. Good day"
Months passed and still Podsley
made no demand. Once at picnic
Billings stood laughing with a party
of friends. Podsley approached and
taking out a vial slyly showed it to
Billings. Billings with equal slyness
took out folded paper and showed il
to Podsley.
Months passed 1t was noticed that
Podsley was gayer than he had ever
been; and a friend who happened to
look into his room one night saw him
holding a small bottle in his clasped
hands, bending over it and laughing.
One day Podsley met Billings in the
road. They halted and Podsley took
out the vial. Billings took out the
confession.
lyon are mine"
Yes; do you want me nowq"
Il can't surrender my great victory
so suddenly. ] must play with you
awhile longer. / didn't know that l
was so full of fun" He laughed.
AuQ 4 dltlll I hItN titdl you FFtIG 81
full of the devil"
Podsley laughed again. 81 am going
away he said. land when come back
want you. Good-by for time"
Two years passed 1t was rumored
that Podsley had been killed in the
Black Hills. There was no cause to
doubt the rumor. An old man from
the far west said that he had seen him
die. This was three months after he
had left home. Billings was free. He
married the girl who had once brought
him gourd of water.
1t was Christmas morning. Billings
was sitting by his fire. His wife was
hanging evergreens about the room.
Some one shouted at the gate Bill
'ngs went out.
"Why, what's the matter, dear?" his
wife asked. She had seen him stagger
when he stepped out. A man on horse
back was at the gate. Podsley had re-
turned.
II thought you were dead" said Bill
lings, "or this would not have hap
pened." He waved his hand toward
the house. His wife was standing in
the door. She could not hear him.
But you see that I'm not dead"
Podsley answered. 1.-TWO weeks ago l
started back here to claim my own. "
He took oct the vial.
'You have but TO claim 1t"
Podsley smiled. 81 say that started
back to claim my own"
81 understood what you said"
And do you know what / would
claim?"
my life"
mo, your prayers. My mother is
dead and her prayer has been answered.
There is no hate in my heart / win
now attempt 10 teach men TO live better
lives; and ] begin by making you a
Christmas present. Your life is your
own and Gods" lie smashed the vial
on a stone bowed 70 the woman who
stood in the door and galloped away