The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-10-20

din1ng-room. lie had sat there Smok-
ing cigar after cigar, and the air was
heavy with the fumes of his strong per-
fectos. The contrast between the salt
breeze from the ocean and the overpow-
ering atmosphere of that close dining
room was no more salient, perhaps, than
the difference between the Hugo Living
ston of week ago and the tired. listrac-
ed individual of to-day. accepted a
cigar, in self-defense, and chair.
Well my friend, you've seen Deme-
trius?"
Eyes"
Hes not quite the coward you
thought, Ell? | told you-didn't l?-
that | was coward myself, and can
recognize the symptoms in others.
Demetrius does not know the meaning
of the word fear"
"That remains to be proved"
Just so. viii you give him the
chance, and take my people to Europe?
Place as many miles between this devil
and Mark as you can. | should thinl,
you'd jump at such an opportunity
You are very generous, sir"
"Of course ] am. like you. Hugo.
recognize in you the qualities which /
lack myself-strcngth. courage, intlexi-
bility. So it's settled. eh?"
I'm at your service, MIR. Gerard"
"And can use you to the best of adj
vantage. | like to use men. And pay
them handsomely. There is Demetrius. +"
'Ile must have grown rich in your
service; and yet"
"Spcak out. And yet-what?"
"Ile has brains," said, "and he might
have aspired to be something more than
your mere servant"
lie aspired, once. to be my partner.
Lucky for him that chose another
man."
waited, and the explanation came.
between puifs of smoke:
81 educated Demetrus to assist me in
my business. was not 30 when /
found him running barefoot in New
York; but | recognized at once in him
those qualities and faculties which,
properly trained. bring n man to the
front. But Demetrius proved too smart,
much to my disappointment, and | had
to show him his place. We were at
Black Gulch then; and was engaged IN
the most extensive mining operations.
Dcmetrius was my right bower, but he
continually ovcrstepped instructions.
| He thought he knew it all-eh? Well.
| had to have a partner; man whom
| could talk to and control; conserva-
tive man. who would furnish the motive
/ power, the running here and there, and
| let me do the planning in peace. Such
n fellow was right TO my hand-poor
| Ferdinand Perkins. 1t must have been
heavy disappointment to Demetrius,
| but he stood it like Trojan. Then came
! the murder of Perkins, and what fol-
| lowed, Demetrius himself applied for
his present post. which he has kept. As
you say, he's a rich man. lie has nc
| kick coming"
l glanced at my watch and rose.
81 sit with Burlington tonight, Mr.
Gerard"
"Yes, yes" He WINGED at the mans
name. 81 don't envy you. Well, II
go to bed. Tomorrow | shall spenc
with Mark"
His softened tones as he finished the
sentence provoked the exclamation:
"You're n devoted father, Mr.. Gerard.
He sighed.
81 live again. Hugo, in the person o
my child. I've had hard lfe-plentl
of shadow, lad, and little sunshine. Nv,
pcepcd into most things and found then
hollow. Even my love for Mark, as yot
know, has been my greatest joy and my
greatest misery. Good night
piticd him profoundly as | walked
upstairs. Community of suffering, ac
cording to George Eliot, is the root o
pity; and, smarting beneath the knowl
edge that Nancy could never be mine
realizing that life without her woul,
prove satless and sterile, could pm
myself in the place of Mark Gerard an,
say with him, all is vanity.
What paradox the man was. Wha
a bundle Of contrast! He possessed il
many material respects II mind Of tn,
largest scope-and also of the smallcs
ii mind at once of the finest AM
coarscst texture. His financial comhr
atoms had gained him an internationa
reputation. lie was known as one o
the pluclliest bulls in the stock ring
lie had the tendercst affection for IN
son. But knew him to be n sensualis
and poltroon. Perhaps he had tn
moral equipment which in these latte
days proves the shield of success, tn
aegis against which the sings and ar
rows of debauched and inscription
press rattle in vain.
The professional nurse assured m
that the patient had rested easily ant
had taken n surprising amount of noun
ishment. The slight symptoms Of feve
had passed away, and the application O
the liniments caused less pain. lie la.
upon his back, eyes and mouth closed
senseless, apparently, to the QUITE
world, | received careful instruction
as to diet and massage, and then tn
nurse left me.
The room was the one usually occu
pied by Demetrius. 1t had two door