The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1895-03-14
CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER VIII
Oliver wondered Il the Frenchmen n
had come TO kill him. There was no
time to cry out or TO move In self-de-
fense. IL De Restaud came 70 murder,
he was prepared 70 do 1t quickly; up in
the valley of the Troublesome he had
been called good shot. A vagrant
ray of sunshine filtered IN between
the Stats of the closed blind, resting
on n faded spot on the carpet Oliver
idly watched IL, while thoughts of his
past, the present. the woman who had
Just written him, went through his
mind swifter than ever electricity car
ried n message.
A lamp lit and bright, q fash, q
crash and darkness. divers fingers
frightened on the arm of his chair His
lips quivcrcd. He seemed 10 be gazing
down the unfathomable depths of
eternity. The sins of his past came
and leered at him; the awful, uuan-
swered question of the centuries, OF all
recorded time, haunted him. And
afterwards"
lie had heard that madmcn quailed
at bravery, were deferred from evil
purpose By quiet common sense. SO
he looked steadily at his visitor. What
dreadful creature he had become!
Nor was II liquor alone that had
crazcd his brain. There is drug so
easy Of purchase. so pleasing Of effect
q: hrst. that insensibly It steals away
reason, caution, dccency On the hairy
hand Of the Frenchman were tiny red
dots and similar dots tattOocd all his
body lie had not learned TO take
morphine In the convenient capsules,
and his dissipation was attended by q
tiny pain like the prick of conscience
He was terribly pale, with the glazed
pallor of n corpse, his eyes weirdly
bright, his hair, few months ago un-
touched by time, streaked with gray.
Of all sad drift on the shores of time a
human wreck like this is the most
dreadful.
You are surprised TO see me-" De
Restaud said, calmly, but his long
thin fingers trembled, showing the ag-
itath1n he strove TO repress-
II should be glad 10 assist you in
any way" Oliver answered. his voice
strangely hoarse, the words coming
with difficulty.
81 think you oan," said the other,
slowly, "for you seem to have influence
with her and that old she-dragon, her
aunt. ! know all about that night,
your visit down the railroad. l know
have son, and for his sake l want
you 20 help me"
What can l do9 Surely you must
have a lawyer of your own. ! would
not undertake your case for any con-
sideration."
"Do not be too hasty, Mr.. Oliver. ]
do not require your services in any
legal capacity, but, as you say In this
country in your labor difficulties, as an
arbitrator. My nephew in France is
dead, and my father writes me to come
home and bring my wife and child"
"She will never consent" Oliver said.
hastily. Her aunt would not let her
GO"
Il think husband has some rights,
Mr. Oliver. You see l am very temper
ate in the matter, though have cause
for anger. Now, my son has future;
my father win make him his heir, for
my brother is rich, and, besides, none
of us are long-lived. | shall not last
long; you see have failed very fast
! want TO go back 70 my own country
end live the few days left, and Il
want you TO help me-" He broke down
than in n womanish way and took out
his handkerchief. Oliver had felt con
tempt before; it turned to pity now 70,
the shambling creature so wrctched IN
/ his mental degradation. 81 am willing
/ TO forgive her the disgrace she has
/ brought upon me-" he sobbcd, lever
/ that application for divorce. Ny ia
/ ther will overlook the fact that mar
1 ried out of my station-beneath me
/ though never before would he motto,
my marriage. The child has made al
the difference in the world, and
/ haven't even been allowed to see him
/ 1t is a crime to treat father so. Ever
/ an American court must recognize my
/ rights"
II have no confidence that you woulC
treat your wife decently If she came
back, 1t would be an unwise expert
ment," Oliver said, coldly.
But give you my word / will. Sh'
can have that awful aunt with her al
ways will not say three words Il