Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-11-26
THE LAST CONFESSION.
By HALL GAME,
Author s.The Scapegoat "The Bondman, The Deems &C.
Keserved)
BY HALL GAME,

picked it up saw what it was. 1t was
a message from my boy himself, in the
handwriting Of hts nurse.
He is brighter tonight" the good
creature herself wrote at the top Of the
page, "and he would insist on debating
this letter.
my dear, dear papa"
When | had read thus far was con-
scious again that the yelling, barking,
bleating mob behind were looking af-
ter me. To avoid the torment of their
gaze, l hurried on, passed down Sec
ond alley, and then turned into mar
row opening which seemed to be the
mouth of the third. But / paid small
heed to my footsteps, for all my mind
was with the paper which I wished to
read. Finding myself in quiet place
at length, l read it. The words were
my little darling's own, and / could
hear his voice as if he were speaking
them.
"My dear, dear papa, I am i'll with
my throat, and sometimes can't speak.
Last night the ceiling was falling
down on me, and the fire was coming
up to the bed. But I'm very nearly
OH 1i51C AiOWs w . olO 6OiA6 - AoS v
a thanksgiving party soon-me, and
Jumbo, and Scotty, the puppy. When
are you coming home? Do you live in
tent in Morocco? l have fire in my
bed room-do you? Write and send
Are the little boys black in Morocco?
Nurse showed me picture of a lady
who lives there, and she's all black ex-
how cto nd
out. Have you got a black servant?
am tired now. Good night. Mama
says I must not tell you to come
home quick. Jumbos all right. He
grunts when you shove him along. So
good night, papa. xxx These kisses
are all for you. am SO thin.-From
your little boy, NOEL"
Come home. Yes, my darling, will
come home. Nothing shall stop me
now-nothing, nothing! The sun is
almost set. Everything is ready. The
men must be saddling the horses again.
In less than half an hour l shall have
started afresh. l will ride all night
tonight and all Gay tomorrow, and in
week shall be standing by your side.
A week! How long, how long! Lord
of life and death, keep my boy alive
until then.
| became conscious that I was speak
ing hot words such as these aloud.
Even agony like mine has its lucid
tiles of that KIND. At the same mo-
ment l heard footsteps somewhere be-
hind me. They were slow and steady
footsteps, but | knew them too well.
The blood rushed to my head and back
to my heart. l looked up and around.
Where was 1? Where? Where?
was in little court surrounded by
low whitewashed walls. Before me
there was an inner compartment rooted
by rude dome. From the apex of this
dome there floated a tiny white flag.
| was in a Saints House. In the con-
fusion of my mind, and the agonizing
disarray of all my senses. l had STUN
bled into the sacred place unawares.
The footsteps came nearer. They
seemed to be sounding on the back of
my neck struggled forward few
PAGES. By last mechanical resource
of despair l tried to conceal myself in
the inner chamber. l was too late. A
face appeared in the opening at which
I had entered. 1t was Larby's face,
contracting into a grimacing express
sion.
l read the thought of the mans face
as by flash of light. Good, Sidi,
good, you have done my work as well
as my masters. You are dead man,
no one will know, and | need never to
lift my hand to YOU"
At the next instant the face was gone.
In the moment following l live a life
time. My brain did not think; it
lightened. / remembered the death of
the American in the streets of Fee. |
recalled the jeering crowd at the top
of the alley. l reflected that Larby
was gone to tell the mob that had dis
honored one of their sanctuaries. |
saw myself dragged out, trampled I'M
der foot, torn to pieces, and then snug
gled away in the filth. My horses
ready, my men waiting, my boy dying
for want of me, and myself dead in
dunghill.
Great Jehovah! Lend me Thy
strength" l cried, as l rushed out into
the alley. Larby was stealing away
with rapid steps. l overlook him; /
laid hold of him by the hood of his
jellab He turned upon me. There
was brief but terrible struggle. All
my soul was reused to uncomfortable
fury. He was a formidable creature,
but he was no match for me then.
was weakling, yes, but l was fighting
for the life of my boy My fearful en-
ergy must have been too much for any
adversary. l took the man in both
my arms, l threw him off his feet,
lifted him by one mighty effort high
above my shoulders and flung him to
the ground.
He began to cry out, and l sprang
upon him again and laid hold of his
throat. l knew where to grip and not
a sound could he utter We were still
in the alley, and l put my left hand into
the neck of his HAITIAN and dragged him
back into the Saints House. He drew
his dagger and lunged at me. l par
ried the thrust with my foot and broke
his arm with my heel. Then there was
moment of horrible bedazzlement
Red flames flashed before me. My head
grew dizzy. The whole universe seemed
to reel beneath my feet. The man was
doubled backwards across my knee.
l had drawn my knife knew where
to strickland "for my boy, my boy"
cried in my heart.
1t was done. The man. died without
groan. His body collapsed in my
hands. rolled from my knee and fell at
nv fept--d0ubled IN the head under