The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-09-22

TO young Gerard. My reception, the
words of PoindeXter, the appearance
of my host, had filed me with misgiv-
ings. These msgivings were ban
ished by pity and indignation.
II insulted you, sir. by the sugges-
ton; pardon me. If my poor services
are required. they are yours"
He held out his hand, which clasped
firmly.
you are very strong" he said, visit
fully. Twill you stand. If necessary,
between my son and Burlington"
THAT" | replied, grimly, sis in the
bond"
BLOOD tells" he continued, still clasp
ing my hand. 81 have some qualities
which men value. but bastard strain
flows i'm my veins. | should have cut
poor figure in the middle ages. Well,
we'll. you have put new life into me-
the tones OF his voice strengthened per-
ceptibly-"and | shall not be migrate
full. If you do your duty, as know you
will. the reward will be commensurate"
"Yes," | said. heartily, 1.-THE prize is
worth working for
He glanced at me queerly.
81 was not thinking of the money"
he muttered.
The streets were empty of foot-pas-
sengers rs | trudged brislly (the night
was chilly to my hotel. A fog. held at
bay by high wind, was impending and
likely TO roll in from the ocean before
dawn; but TIE sky above the city was
clear and starlit. In my pocket was an
| address, my destination OH the morrow;
in my heart was hope; in my head were
a score of surIGises chasing each other
into blind alleys. | hai walked some
| IS yards, when az impulse no, I'd Inc 10
| halt and look backward. CerG-d' sman-
sion. its marsarG roofs sharply out
lined against the purple ornament,
crowned the top of the hill; and it's
massive proportions, in such striking
contrast to the bodily presence of the
owner, impressed me sadly. The very
stones of his palace proclaimed the
Titanic efforts which had piled one
upon another. The last of millions.
! ike a monstrous bat. had sucked from
it's victim vitality and virihtv. 20
the right and left were other palaces;
and recalled the histories of the men
who built them. and shuddered. The
loneliness of the spot. a solitude grim
with spectral activities. was awful.
Suddenly | became aware that an
other beside myself was intently re-
garding the house above. In the shad-
ows across the street leaning against
lamp-post, stood n man absorbed in
contemplation. Fancy urged rue TO
approach him.
1t was Burlington.
! recognized him at once from
Gerard's description. His eyes coun-
tered mine sayagely; then the heavy
lids fell.
"a fine night" said |.
"Ay." he returned. coldly.
THE temples of Plutus," continued,
make brave showing by starlight
lie jerlled his hand in the direction of
Telegraph Hill. There. sir, lies Dago-
town; there, the Greek quarter. Hard
" a stones throw from us is China
town. where opium fends and pesti-
leDce run amuck; and here" - he
laughed harshly-"is Mob Hill"
The somber significance of his words
could not be misunderstood. Once in
Chicago | had heard a famous an
archist address his associates. At my
urgent request, a Pole whom | had be-
friended stood my sponsor and saved
me broken head, possibly broken
neck. The dominant note of the
speech had been n truly demoniac sug-
gestion. The actual words of the speak
err were void of oiIense (from an official
point of view; but beneath the velvety
periods was the snarl of the wild beast.
Burlngton's apostrophe, commonplace
enough. brought to mind the Chicago
den, with its flaming gas jets and
brutal odors.
Come" he said, abruptly, "we shall
both catch cold loafng in this bitter
wind. I'm chilled to the marrow al
ready"
We paced a few steps in silence.
1--WE might wear each others clothes"
he said. answering my unspoken
thoughts; but l." he sighed, lam past
my prime. BY the by, I've seen you
before. Your name is Livingston-Hugo
Livingston?"
YES"
And you wrte-fairly well for be-
ginner; but there's nothing in IL; not
bread and butter. My name is Burling-
ton. You are stranger here? just so
AS brother craftsman let me welcome
you to Cosmopolis. There is lots OF
material here, hard and soft. Do you
propose to work tup?"
His questions, and n certain warmth
of manner, put me on my guard.
wondered if he had seen me leave tho
house of his enemy.
She pouted; such mutinous red lips;
such dimples-nests of laughing Gu
pids!
81 hate TO make explanations; but
but the very few young men have met
have all"
"You need not finish the sentence"
said l. 81 don't blame the Young men,