The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-12-21
CHAPTER II.


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
give it to you; if you win shall do
the same"
II 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 will be found hold
ing this in my hand,'' said he. II have
left copy of it at home so that there
will be no question about its genuine
ness"
He broke vial against a 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?"
II will in my own good time. Mind
you, your life belongs to me. When I
call for it, 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 . party
Of friends. Podsley approached and
taking out vial slyly showed it to
Billings. Billings with equal slyuess
took out folded paper and showed it
to Podsley.
Months passed. It was noticed that
Podsley was gayer than he had ever
been; and friend who happened to
look into his room one night saw him
holding . 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 Rillings took geas the
confession. sos n.
"You are mine"
eyes; do you want me now?"
~ can't surrender my great victory
20 suddenly. I .mnst play with you
awhile longer. I didn't know that ]
was so full Of fun" He laughed. 4
.sAnd I didn't know that you were SO
full of the devil"
Podsley laughed again. ST am going
away" he said, land when come back
l 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 be
had left home. Billings was free. He
married the girl who had once brought
him a gourd Of water.
It was Christmas morning. Billings
was sitting by his fire. His wife was
hanging evergreens about the room
Some one shouted at the gate. Bill
rngs went out.
'sWhy, what's the matter, dear?" his
wife asked. She had seen him stagge1
when he stepped out. A man on horse
back was at the gate. Podsley had re
turned.
81 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 II
the door. She could not hear him.
'sBut you see that I'm not dead,
Podsley answered. 1.-TWO weeks ago
started back here to claim my own
He took out the vial.
"You have but to claim it."
Podsley smiled. 81 say that started
back to claim my own"
81 understood what you said"
"And do you know what I would
claim?''
"My life"
mo, your prayers. Ny mother j:
dead and her prayer has been answered
There is no hate in my heart. viii
now attempt to teach men to live better
lives; and begin by making you {
Christmas present. Your life is your
own-and Gods" He smashed the via
on stone, bowed to the woman wht
stood in the door and g1lloped away.
STRICTLY PERSONAL.
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