Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-11-09

: JOHN WARNE WAS REVENGED.
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one of the finest residences on fash
ionabe New York street one summer
night. One of them was a well-pre-
served gentleman Of perhaps s. years,
and from his air and dress il was easy
to tell that he was used 20 moving IN
the higher circles Of society.
The other was nearly the same age,
but there was something in his face,
and a sort of dry atmosphere cllnging
to him, like that Understandable lniiu-
ence which always seems TO surround
book from library, that told he
was a man whose years had been
spent among bills and ledgers.
John Wariield, merchant prince and
host, poured out two glasses OF wine
from the glitterng decanter and mo-
toned John Warne, clerk and visitor
by express and urgent invitation-to
drink with him. And they drank 81
lently.
Then there was long and painful
pause. John Warfeld was pale with
whatever thoughts were at work in
his head. Very pale. He was rest
less and paced to and fro for many
minutes, while John Warne waited pa
tiently for whatever was to be said.
Suddenly the merchant stopped be-
fore the clerk.
"You have sworn by your hope OF
heaven, by all you consider binding
upon your soul, to never reveal one
word of the conversation that takes
place between us tonight?"
"Yes," answered Warne; II have
sworn"
"Ihere is no use in beating round
the bush," cried Warfeld, his hands
working nervously and his face grow
ing paler, as If he were drawing near.
er to something frightful. II am on
the brink Of financial ruin. Warne-
you know that"
"Yes, | know It," answered Warne.
"There Is only one way out Of it"
said Warfeld, CHASTITY white now.
He was very near the hideous thing
that frightend his thoughts.
nd that way?'
As DEATH" answered the merchant,
hoarsely.
"You don't mean to take your own
life!" cried the clerk, startled for q
moment out of his usual composure.
"Of course not" answered Warfeld.
"You know that my brother left
large fortune to his only child. She
stands between me and tnat fortune
to-day. II she were dead l should
come into possession of 1t imme.
diately. You begin to understand, I
think?"
81 think | do" answered the clerk, a
trifle pale. ut is her death that you
refer TOP"
Exactly, Warne. If she were to
die am saved. She must be got out
Of the way. You must do it for me.
For years have kept your secret. No
one In the world, save you and I,
knows who forged those drafts TWEEN
ty-five years ago. No one but you
and | will know how Catherine Organ
| goes out Of the world. | will give
you $4,000 when the deed is done.
Is 1t bargain?"
1T is murder!" cried Warne, pale as
death. Il can't do it. Get someone
else"
II can trust no one else" said War
field, desperately. "There is no risk
to run. She is at school with my
daughter-at a private institution at
the seashore, fifty miles out of town,
You can go down there-and get her
ont of the way easily enough, with
out being detected"
"She is there with your daughter,
you say?"
Warnes voice sounded strange to
himself, and far away. His face had
lost some Of its old apathy,
"Ycs; it is wild, lonely place.
you know her by her resemblance to
my daughter. Is it a bargain?'
ut is a bargain" answered John
Warne, hoarsely, rising from lbs seat.
1.-THE wine seems to have got into
your head" laughed Warfeld, nerv,
ously. 'Will you have another glass.
Warnew
mo more, thank YOU" answered the
old clerk.
ut isn't that has got into my head
Wariield, It is something that has
been there long time. 1t has rous-
ed itself tonight. Is there anything
more to be said between us?"
NO" answered Warfeld; "you un-
derstand my wishes; be careful,
Warne, and sure!"
Good night" and the clerk bowed
himself OUT
Revenge is sweet, they sayl' he
whispered, in the street. 81 shall
find it 1t be so, Oh John Warfeld, |
have waited for something's hardly
knew what--for years. never
dreamed of such a grand opportunity
as this"
A wild, wet day. The waves
screamed in mac glee against the
cruel rocks, and the sky was like a
pail. The gulls circIed in the chill,
gray atmosphere, crying harshly and
discordanty.
u wonder II she will comet"
The man who whispered this query
to the winds peered out from behind
the rock where he was hidden, anx.
ious. "She got my message, know.
Poor fool She thinks she is coming
to meet her lover, but she will meet
DEATH"
John Warne shivered. II might
have been with cold, it might have
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