Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-05-09
WAS NEVER PUBLISHED.


asphalt pavement staggered as he
walked and now and then stopped to
steady himself, pressing with his
trembling hand against the buildings
that he passed. His soiled, ragged
clothes were soaking with the wet, and
his ernaciated features were pale as
with the chill of death. When he had
reached the summit of Mob hill he
paused and wrapped his arm about an
electric light post at the corner, lean
ing against it for the support his feeble
frame needed SO pitifully. quick,
firm step sounded on the pavement
For Gods sake, give me money to
buy food,' said the wretch at the post.
The quick step ceased. why don't
Won say drink. and speak the truth ?''
said the man, running his gloved hand
down into the pocket of his fur-lined
overcoat. The glare of the electric
light shone full upon his handsome,
fiorid face; the poor wretch caught his
breath sharply and made step for
ward. The money which the man
tossed into his outstretched hand
CLEANED a moment in his trembling
palm, and in another ratified noisily
upon the stones far out into the street.
II want no gold of yours" said the
wretch, with energy that shook his
=
Henry Mason"
The man started; his forid face
turned livid.
who dares to call me Henry Mason?
NV name is Derwent. Thomas Der
went the man said, hoarsely, staring
about him nto the night.
You are out of reach of help just
now. Henry Mason" said the wretch,
with laugh. Il saw the policeman
from this beat running in an opium
soaked Chinese a few moments ago.
1 believe my hour of reckoning has
come at last
--Who are you?"
You knew well enough 20 years
ago the wretch answered.
Howard Scott My God!" cried the
man.
--Oh, / thought you would recall me-"
and the wretch laughed again.
What do you want?" asked the man,
UnbGiIoning his coat. His voice was
unste:itiy and his hand trembling.
Neither your money nor your life,
Henry Mason" said the wretch, bitter
ly- They will do me no good now.
Listen. You live near here. l know
your house. Why earth 1 never
spot ted you before is a mystery. But
think it was more your hard, cold
voice than your looks that betrayed
you" Scott pulled pistol from his
hip pocket. The man caught it's CLEAN
in the light and started back.
Don't move" Scott interposed, calm
iIy- you are not worth it, and my game
is not yet played. Lead on to your
house. and dare to bulge one inch out
of the way at your peril. want quiet,
warm place to do some writing. Per-
haps you did not know that adopted a
different profession after you ruined
me and helped yourself to my money.
I'm u special correspondent when I've
life enough to be anything at all. l
haven't made much of my life, as you
Sec but l can write.
.'If you want money tell me how
much" Derwent said, hoarsely.
Il told you 1 wanted no money of
yours" said Scott, moving a step nearer.
81 shall be paid enough for my nights
Job TO tide over the few weeks of life
that are left me. What 1 want is re-
venge and the chance to set myself right |
in the eyes of the world. You have |
robbed me of my life; that cannot get |
back You have stolen my money, as you
did that of many others, and have saddled |
upon me disgrace that should rest on |
your own shoulders. 1t was you who |
forged that draft, and not 1, and you |
know it, though l served my term in
the penitentiary for the crime. You
call yourself a gentleman now, Henry |
Mason, and 1 am worse than a dog, but
my hour has come. Lead on home"
The wretch had raised his voice al
most to a scream and now waved the |
pistol in the air. The man walked on,
CHANGING over his shoulder furtively.
Il told you i should not kill you I'M
less you tried to escape" said Scott, |
with n sneer. IF you speak to any
passerby. however, you are dead man
on the word. Go on.
The rest of the way was made in
silence. Scott was close upon Derwent's
heels when he mounted the marble steps
of his stately mansion and turned the
latch key. Within all was quiet. the
wretch had counted on this; it was well |
past midnight The gentle radiance
of the soft lights, the warm air of the |
elegant house almost overpowered him, |
but Dervent heard the click of the pis |
toll in his trembling hand and pushed |
open the library door.
$50 this is your home. Henry Mason %
said Scott, staring at him.
Not so loud, man, for Gods sake!"
cried Derwent. |
so this is your homer" Scott pro- |
ceeded, unheeding. Not much like the |
prison cell that was my home for ten |
years, thanks to you. Henry Mason; not /
very much like the ratholes that make |
about the only home know now"
s-What do You want man os' heoap