Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-02-23
CHAPTER VII.
TIE DOWNWARD PATH.

In a dream. AS one under magic spell
OF hypnotic influence obeys the prompt
fugS and directions of dominating
spirit, SO the old bank clerk proceeded
from the private office his eyes fixed,
his face pale aud set, like some pentent
cUiprit traversng o cindered Via dOlOrosa.
His task had been meted out to him.
To study that mobile face, one would
discern at glance the vascilating weak
ness that was o part OF his character.
He was not naturally o bad man, but
circumstances had set his face towards
the downward path, and n shrewd, tyrani-
cal master was pushing him slowly
farther down tho steep incline, until in
sheer despair tho Observation-Disclosures
wretch ceased to struggle.
Away back In this mans life was
certain dark chapter. Nowlymarred,
the incumbent of subordinate govern
mental position, n glass of wine had led
him to gamble Step by step he was
drawn into net spread by unscrupu-
lous acquaintance. In O last frantic
endeavor to recount his losses, he bor
rowed temporarily a small amount from
tTust funds. He lost again. The theft
was discovered Trivial as was the Of
feuse, light as might this first sin be
~ u,
situation, the frightened Wharton saw
only ruin, tho penitentiary. Like the
weak coward he was, he fed, abandoning
Friends home, and family. He sought q
foreign land, tried by honest labor to
earn sufficient to reimburse the govern
ment, and send for his wife and chill
dren. He had never written them.
Shame and tear of being traced and ar
rested prevented that. Under an as
:sumed name he finally returned to
America. Time had changed him. He
was accounted dead, forgotten. No one
recognized him. He had long since sent to
tt,e government the amount he had
stolen. He only sought the pardon Of his
wife, penitential rehabilitation with his
family, with the idea Of beginning life
over again with them in some secluded
village.
Alas! he found no trace Tho sad rec
ord of their weary waiting was lost in
The whirl and changes Of great city.
Disgraced, their name furnished, they
had hidden themselves afar, where, he
Aad never found out.
In his distress, John Wharton took to
drink. One day, accidentally, he was
met and recognized by an old fellow-em
ptoyc in the government service-Arnold
Dacre. The latter was at that
slime clerk In tho Ridgeield bank.
Ho saw in the disheartened refugee pill
Able tool in his knowledge of the past u
menace that would WELD Wharton to his
,caprices From tho day that tho old
clerk entered tho employ Of Abel Mer-
wyu, it was to become tho ally, the slave,
She hreling of the man who could crush
him at his will.
4 great SOB rent the bosom of the mis-
cradle man as he dreaded the covered
passage way leading from the rear OF
tue bank, and emerged on the street. A
sudden dizzy spell seemed to overcome
him, as the broad, tlaring sunlight daz-
gied his eyes. For moment he ~avered
unsteadily to and fro, and 1t was with
difficulty that he collected his benumbed
faculties, and recalled tho mission he
had been sent to execute.
II am to hold, to hide the package"
no told himself, slowly, painfully, like q
dull child memorlzing difficult lesson,
III am to go among the men and play n
rt-play-a-part"
4 CHASTITY pallor overspread his face
as he repeated the words. Some mental
wrench upsetting the natural faculties.
Enlightened him. A man ever terrified by
,phantoms, the unreal, uncanny lot ap-
tportioned him by his hard taskmaster
was too dreadful. In his present I'M
,htnged mental condition to grapple with.
He had read of men feigning insanity,
mad
John Wharton Quickened his footsteps.
Like Il scurrying thief evading a Gordon
Of police. he traversed alleys, lanes, and
unfamiliar by-waya He reached his
lodgings by a rear staircase, entered his
plainly FURNISHED room, tottered to u
chair, and sunk into 1t.
One hour-two hours His head bent
on his open hands, he never moved
thinking, thinking! Three hours! A
sham bling, limping step sounding on the
stairs, and thin, diseaso-worn face
peercd in at the door, timdly opened.
cit might'nt be you. Mr.. Wharton?'
projected n hesitatng voice.
The old clerk aroused himself with an
effort, struggled to his feet, gulped
down great groan, and turned his hol-
low eyes on the intruder.
The latter was q cripple. Partial
paralysis had robbed him of health in
the prime Of life. The one being in all
she vide world whom he could truly
call friend, the single creature in the
universe who seemed to possess Il parti-
Gle of genuine affection tor him. Whar-
con had picked the poor wretch from the
gutter one dark night Il year agone. and
gut of sheer sympathy, Tom Cupples, as
he was called, had since been his pom
sioner.
Faithful as n slave, grateful as q
starving dog, lifted TO comfort aud
plenty, the cripple had since taken care
of his room, mended his clothes, black
ened his boots, tried in his half, helpless
way to earn the food he ate.
-Toodness.' he calculated, as Whar-
ton turned his wan face towards him,
what has happened? Mr.. Wharton,
you are i'll. 1 will send for doctor"
In genuine alarm, the frightened faced
Cupples started towards the door,
Stop ordered Whorton, In a frenzy