Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-17
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; SHORT STORY
} OF THE DAY.
STORY OF A LIFE.
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John Henry took the card which the Of
hce boy brought in.
John Henry Douglas" he read. "Umph,
a curious coincidence. Who is he. boy?"
20, he's nothing but a kid replied John
Henry's boy with all the importance OF
his fifteen years.
We'll. show him in"
Il am very glad to see you, sir said
John Henry as he extended his hand 10
the young man who entered, and looked
with interest into the boyish, well-favored
lace. Something in that face seemed to
awaken Il painful train of associations, for
John Henry sighed as he took the others
coat and hat. 1T seems you have the
honor, he said, "of being my namesake."
And Madeline Graham's son." respond
ed his guest.
1t was as though John Henry had been
struck with a quick blow from the past.
You lie, Sir he burst out in great We
hemence. Madeline Graham died years
ago. Before you were born, young man."
The other paled yisibly.
Sir he began, but John Henry rush
which that name had brought TO his lips.
Don't pull yourself up in that proud
way, Why do you come here 10 taunt
sn I'D man with a past that has ruined
No. don't say a word. You have ut
sered a name I've not heard for years.
49, DIit litit hlloNS ma i Nil" L. w UO
has been telling you tales"
Sir replied the young man, touched
by the others agitation. If you Will only
let me speak, III explain
Not a ~word-you have torn open an old
wound; 1 must have relief. You shall
hear the story. Sit down"
The young man sank into the nearest
cnair. His boyish eyes were full of trou-
BILE and the hand which grasped the arm
Henry paced the floor. a Gagged lion.
You have come TO ask my advice.
Young men do. Well. don't be reckless
I was; Listen and you shall hear the
story"
children together. We played In the same
to braid into wreathes for her hair. We
trudged to school hand in hand. happy as
larks- But we grew up and Madeline went
away. For several years l did not see her.
When l did the child / had amused and
the girl l had romped with had blossomed
into a beautiful woman. l loved her then
that L thought l must make her under
stand.
Il asked her to drive one day. As chill
dren We had dashed over the hills together
upon frisky young horses. L had my high
spirited dapple harnessed.
Where shall / take your I asked.
Oh, anywhere she responded with that
light, happy. laugh of hers: To some of
the old haunts-over some of the old roads
on We dashed. What Il fool was:
There was a road running through the
woods which was full OF unexpected turns
and ended al a stone quarry. A piece of
startled Dapple and We sped through the
air like wind. What fun we thought it, 1t
was like our boy and girl races. But the
horse gained Roadway. The road was
crooked; the stone quarry at the end:
You know the rest-I needn't tell it.
You have killed my child the mother
shrieked. as / carried the motionless girl
into the house. The words sank into my
heart like lead: They were true, but they
poisoned my life"
Jnbp Ianrp I,,| for,,o+,a, .;poa ,1,ca arI
the presence of his visitor. He had sunk
into a chair and was looking straight be-
fore him into the long vista Of the past.
When he paused the younger man arose
quickly.
Don't 60 on" he exclaimed e,xcitedly.
g! know # all; b Bel lsG me neni ! d9;t H.. other
who seemed quite dazed by the picture he
had recalled. 1T all happened before you
on. talking more TO himself than to his
guest, and went abroad. Then l came
back and settled down here where no one
would know my past. l am prosperous,
10 things. And now you come with the
same name upon your lips to stir up the
old demon of remorse." John leaned his
head upon the back of the chair and re-
manned silent.
Who was your mother. my lad?" he
asked bruptly one moment later.
The same Madeline Graham. sir. wait
till you hear. She did not die then. though
she lay for three days in a deathlike trance.
w aiii' was o1Sh - d $500 49,
first opened her eyes. But no one knew
where you had gone .Then-then-she mar
ried-five years later"
Walt. why are you telling me this?'
Because my mother wished me TO. sir
John Henry dropped his head upon the
desk before him.
GO on" he said brokenly.
"They-she and my father-ived abroad.
We have been here for infrequent visits
only-mother never would stay, though she
was always wanting to come"
John said the older man. brusluely,
where is your father"
JOIN Henry Douglas drew himself up
haughtily. My father" he said coldly. 'is
still living" Then. touched by the others
gently. And he will be very glad TO know
And your MOTHER" came the second
question, in quick succession. 1t was the
younger mans turn TO tremble- -,
NJ mother died last week" he said
20. God, not till then? And all these
years in between. and / not knowing. Don't
stop mel must have air"
That's just how it happened, sir" said
the hoy later in the day. He rushed out
Of the Office, gave a furious push at tn, the
something had hit him. sir"
lie has had heart disease fer some time
the physician said; more than that. some,
thing has been preying upon his MIND of
late. If / should hear of a certain thing
It would kill me; doc he said to me. only
tse s et9 a ic eay aftd gWs nf turned the matter
one of John Henry's friends spoke next.
Perhaps this young man" he said look
ing at John Henry Douglas, could tell
something IL he would"
The young man looked down upon the
face OF the dead before him.. and recalled
the recent scene in the private office. where
he had heard the story of a disappointed
life. lie recalled also another OF "A week
previous. when he had heard the same
Prom the lips of his dying mother. whom he
loved as few sons do. Then he thought OF
his kind. generous father.
No" he said. there is nothing to tell"
Excursion Rates TO Texas.