Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-05-01
NOT PUBLISHED.

The rain fell relentlessly, tho wind that
swept in through the Golden Gate was
piercingly cold and the poor wretch toiling
painfully up the steep 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 soilcd, ragged clothes
were soaking with the wet, and his elna-
cated features were pale as with the chill
of death When he had reached the sum-
nit of Mob Hill, he paused and wrapped
his arm about an electric light post ut tho
corner, leaning against it for the support
his feeble frame needed so pitifully A
quick firm step sounded on tho pavement.
Fer Gods sake give me money to buy
food said the wretch at the post.
The quick step ceased. why don't you
say di ink and speak the TRUTH" said tLd
man, running his glovod hand down intI
tho pocket of his fur lined overcast. Tho
glare of the electric light shone full upon
his handsome nurid face. Tho poor wrctch
cnught his breath sharply and made n step
forward The money which the man tossed
into his outst retched hand CLEANED mo-
ment in his trembling palm and in AN
other ratified nuisily upon the STONES fai
out into the street.
Il want no gold Of yours" said the
wretch, with energy that shook his who'll
frame 4 want no gold of yours, Henry
Mason"
The man started his norid face turned
livid
"Who dares to call mo Henry Mason'
My name is Dcrwent-Thomas Dcrwent, "
The man said huarsely, staring about him
into the night.
You are out of reach of help just now,
Henry Mason" said tho wretch with "a
laugh. Il saw the policeman from this
beat running i'm an opium soaked Chinese
few moments ago l believe my hour OK
reckoning has como at last. -
"Who are YOU
"You knew me well enough 20 years
ago, the wretch answered.
Howard Scott! My Godl' cried the
man.
"Oh, thought you would recall me-
And the wretch laughed again.
What do you WANT" asked the man
unbuttoning his coat. His voice was un
steady and his hand trembling.
"Neithcr your money nor your life,
W
"They will do me no good now Listen |
You live near here. 1 know your house.
Why on earth l never spotted you before is
a mystery. But l think it was more your
hard cold voice than your looks that be-
trayed you" Scott pulled a pistol from
his hip pocket The man caught its CLEAN
in the light and started back
"DOn't move, Scott interposed calmly.
You arc not worth it and my game il
not yet played Lead on to your house,
and dare to bulge one inch out of the way
at your peril. l want quiet. warm place
to do some writing. Perhaps you did not
know that adopted different profession
after you ruined mo and helped yourself
to my money? I'm n special correspondent
whom I've life enough to be anything at
all. | haven made much of my life as
you see, but | can write"
eff you want money, tell me how
much Derwent said hoarscly.
II told you | wanted no money of
yours, said Scott, moving step nearer.
Il shall be paid enough Tor my nights
job to tide over the few weeks of life hat
are left me. What | want is revenge and
the chance to set myself right in the owes
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 IA dis
grace that should rest on your own shout
ders. 1t was you who forged that draft
and not /, and you know it, though l
served my term i'm the penitentiary for the
crime You call Yourself a gentleman
now, Henry Mason and am worse than
dog, but my hour has come. Lead on
home
The wretch had raised his voice almost
to ii scream and now waved the. pistol in
the air. The man walked on, CHANGING
over his shoulder furtively
4 told you should not kill you unless
you tried to escape said Scott with =
sncer. IF you speak to any passerby,
however, You are "a dead man on the word
Go ON
The rest Of the way was made in silence
Scott WAS clusu upon DerWent' heels when
he mounted the marble steps of his stately
mansion and turned the latchkcy With
in all was silent 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 overpowcrrd
him, but Derwent heard the click Of the
pistol in his trembling hand and pushed
open the library door
so this is your home Henry Mason?'
said Scott, staring about him.
"Nut 50 loud man, for God ) sakep' cried
/ Derwent.
I SO this is your homef" Scott proceed
cd, unheeding. "Not much like the prison
cell that was my home for ten years,
/ thanks to you, Henry Mason, not very
much like tho ratholes that make about
the only home ! know now
What do you want, mani" began Der
went, his hand finding his pocket again.
Pen and paper' said scott fiercely,
rousing himself and sinking into chair
AT the writing table Now do you sit
there across the room from me. Move or
speak at your own risk
Scott took the pistol in his left HAND
and began to write yet keeping a close
eye upon Derwont all the while. BY and
by he read aloud
SAN FRANCIsCo, Jan. u, 1896
], Henry Mason. alias Thomas j, Derwent
1. IL.