Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1899-12-20

face and misshapcln body in a mirror
1t was said that the doctors wept for
him.
Recovering. 1t wounded Bartram
sorely that the busy newspapers took
no pains TO contradict their earliest re.
ports In regard to the fatal nature OF
his injuries. II is given to few to
realize the bubblelite character ot
their fame. Not many know by OK.
perlence how willing the world Is to
forget them.
This Is the cup that Bnrtram now
drank TO the dregsl Living. he belong.
ed to the dend. The Enp in time had
closed. People came and went. They
loved and married and Toasted and
praised the acting of new stnra ONLY
few knew OF n strangely deforEned
man that lived In I'M obscure corner Of
q business block Without companions
of any kind, Il hldoous, ghoullike
creature that haunted the streets aft
er dark In order tb avoid women and
children in his walks. Bartram endur-
ed the horror OF This existence for n
single purpose-reEenge. For a num-
Der of years he htd known that Max
well had Intentionally deceived him In
regard to Stella Deems' safety Mt the
time of the fire. Maxwell was Stclla's
husband now. The TWO had been mar
ried year after the dread event. 1t
was beautiful December night Stars
cleaned overhead, emitting mist of
frosty brightness above the lighted
city. The rounded moon hung invit-
ingly near the house tops as If seeking
acquaintance with the pale electric
globes.
The streets were full of people
strangely full of women and children,
Rartram thought, as he darted into n
dark alley to avoid group of merry
shoppers. He had forgotten that it
was the evening before Christmas.
At the new Parnassus theater Max
well and his wife were playing. Bar
tram had planned to meet his enemy
at the door of the theater. BY one well
aimed thrust he hoped to cancel the
deadly obligation. But the plan had
failed. Maxwell. always alert and sus-
picious. had evidently seen him and
entered by another door.
| Disappointed, the cripple stole away.
| He crossed the city, using the leaSt fire.
/ qucnted streets. murmuring TO hmself
"Tonight! 1t shall be tonight or new
err"
The house that Bartrnm sought was
cottage that set back a little dis
lance from the street. He hobb!ed up
to the porch. whore he rested for IL
few minutes. He never used car or a
cab. "A life for life" he whispered
to himself. at was the old law. 1t is
the law of nature. 1t is just"
Rested. he tried the front door, To
his surprise it opened readily Bar
tram entered tbeniittle hall quietly and
turned OFF The gag that had been left
burning low. An was quiet in the
house. a clock licked In one of the
lifelcss down stair rooms.
The cripple mounted the stairs eau
tiously and stole into the quletness Of
the front chamber. The window shades
were rolled up. and the light from the
street was sufficient to enable one
clearly to distinguish objects in the
room.
He sat down and waited. Only re-
venge was in his thoughts. All the
sweetness and poetry of his nature had
turned to passionate hatred of the one
Iinan that had wronged him. Acct
dientally he touched the window shut
her. and there was n creak. In Il mo-
ment the man heard light step in the
next room.
rs that you, papa?" child's voice
called.
Bartram raised himself In the half
light and caught his breath. Surprise
made him dumb. He had never heard
that Maxwell had child. Presently,
however. the communicating door
opened, and small, white clad figure,
with an aureola of yellow hair. stood
in the passageway The child looked
at Bartram without trace of fear. A
flash of light from the window showed
q smile on the fair little face.
us you Santa Claus?' she asked.
The startled Bartram felt hls blood
grow chill in his veins. MY name is
Nlchol Bartram," he trembled wonder
ing If II were a real child or an appa-
rltion that he was addressing. The
wretched man was more inclined to
give credence to the latter idea because
the small being manifested no horror
of his deformity.
"Nichol," the little one repeated.
"Thats nearly the same as st. Mich
olas. Is 1t you who gives us the pres
ents? Oh. how I wish could see you.
But was born blind"
"Bllndw Groaned Bartram half to
htp,eolP GAN NOM 7 nj
II think you must be very beautiful,
st. NicholasT hazarded tile
little one questloningly.
"Why do you think 500" asked Bar
tram. scarcely knowing what he said
because your voice is SO beautiful.
/ think You must be like your voice.
My name Is Estelle Maxwell. You
mnkn mn almnst soc hnnntlf thinna