The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-14
NOT PUBLISHED.


painfully up the steep asphalt pavement
staggered as ho walked and now and then
stopped to steady himself. pressing with
his trembling hand against tho buildings
that he passed. His soiled, ragged clothes
were soaking with the wet, and his oma-
ciated features were pale as with the chill
of death. When he had reached the sum-
NIT of Mob HILL no paused and wrapped
his arm about an electric light post at tho
corner, leaning against 1t for the support
his feeble frame needed so pitifully. A
quick, firm step sounded on tho pavement.
For Gods sake give mo money to buy
food" said the wretch at the post.
Tho quick step ceased. "Why don't YOU
say drink md speak the truthY" said the
man. running his gloved hand down into
the pockeS of his fur lined overcoat. Tho
glnrc of the electric light shone full upon
his handsome, norid face The poor wretch
caught his breath sharply and made a stop
forward The money which tho man tossed
into his outstrotched hand cleaned n mo-
ment in his trembling palm and in an
other ratified noisily upon the stones far
out into tho street.
Il want no gold of yours" said the
wretch, with enorgy that shook his whole
frame want no goIu Oh yours, Henry
Mason
Tho man started; his florid face turned
livd.
who Ga-es to call mo Horny Mason?
My namo is Dcrwcnt-Thomas Dcrwent,"
tho man said hoarsoly, staring about him
into the night.
You are out Of reach Of help just now,
Henry Mason said the wretch with
laugh. 81 saw the policeman from this
beat running in an opium soaked Chinese
few moments ago. believe my hour of
reckoning has como ut last"
"Who arc you?''
"You knew me well enough 20 years
ago, " tho wretch answered.
Howard Scott! My Godr' cried the
man.
"Oh, thought you would recall me-"
And the wretch laughed again.
What do you wantf' asked tho man,
unbuttoning his coat. His voice was un-
steady and his hand trembling.
Neither your money nor your life,
Henry Mason" said tho wretch bitterly.
They will do mo no good now. Listen
You live near here. L know your house
Why on earth never spotted You before Is
a mystery. But think it was more your
hard, cold voice than your looks that be-
trayed you" Scott pulled a pistol from
in the light and started back
Don't move" Scott interposed calmly.
You are not worth 1t and my game ia
not yet played. Lead on TO your house,
and dare to bulge one inch out of the way
at your peril want n quiet, warm place
TO do some writing. Perhaps you did not
know that 1 adopted different profession
after you ruined me and helped yourself
to my money? I'm n special correspondent
when I've life enough TO be anything mt
all haven't made much of my life, as
you see, but can write"
''1f you want money, tell me how
much Dorwent said hoarscly.
II told you 1 wanted no money of
yours. said Scott, moving step nearer.
II shall be paid enough for my nights
job to tide over the few weeks of life that
are left me. What I want is revenge and
the chance to set myself right in the eyes
of the world. You have robbed mo of nv
life; that l cannot get back. You have
stolen my money, as you did that of many
others, ana have saddlcd upon me a dis
grace that should rest on your own shout
ders. 1t was you who forged that draft
and not I, and you know it, though 1
served my term in the penitentiary for the
crime. You call yourself gentleman
now, Henry Mason, and am worse than
dog, but my hour has come. Load on
horne"
Tho wretch had raised his voice almost
to n scream and now waved the pistol in
the air. The man walked on, glancinD
over his shoulder fur;ivcly
81 told you should not kill YOU unless
you tried to escape" said Scott with
sneer. IF you speak to any passerby,
however, you are dead man on the word.
Go on"
The rest or the way was made IN silence.
Scott was close upon Derwcnt's heels when
he mounted tho marble steps of his stately
mansion and turned the latchkcy. With
in all was silent The wretch had counted
on this; 1t was we'll past midnight. Tho
gentle radiance CT the soft lights the warm
air Of the elegant house almost overpowerod
him. but Derwcrt heard tho click OF the
pistol in his trembling hand and pushed
open tho library door.
$50 this Is your home, Henry MasonYp
said SCOTT, staring about him.
Not so loud inan, for God S seke!" cried
Dcrwcnt
80 this is your homer" Scott proceed
ed, unheeding 'Not much like tho prison
coll 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
what do You want mann" BEGAN Der.
went, his hand finding his pocket again.
"Pcn and paperr' said scott ficrcelv.
rousing himself and sinking into n chair
at thc writing table Now do Won sin
there across the room from me- Move or
speak Ut your own risk
Scott took the pistol In his left hand
and began TO write yet keeping a close
eye upon Derwen: all tho while. Nv and
by he read aloud:
SAN FRASCIsco, Ian u. 1870.
L Horny Mnsnr. nlins Thn,r.. i1..'.