The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-05-05


rorism is infamous. But, pardon me
! cannot but hope that this villain is
playing with your feelings, destroying
not your body, which might bring hin
to the gallows, but your mind. This
cruel anxiety will"
Drive me mad. know it, and ther
those defenseless ones will be at his
mercy"
with your immense wealth." said
slowly, you could have bribed men
to"
kill him for me?" he said hurried.
~. "Yes, yes; have thought of that;
but l couldn't do it, my lad-l couldn't
do it."
With these words fled my lingering
doubts as to whether or not | should
accept the perilous position of tutor
to young Gerard. My reception, the
words of Poindexter, the appearance
of my host. had filled me with misgiv-
ings. These misgivings 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, wist-
fully. "Will you stand, if necessary,
between my son and Burlington?
THAT" 1 replied, grimly, "is in the
bond"
BLOOD tells" he continued, still clasp
ing my hand. Il have some qualities
which men value, but bastard strain
flows in my veins. should have cut
j 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 l shall not be migrate
full. If you do your duty, as know you
will. the reward will be commensurate"
"Yes," l said, heartily, 1.-THE prize is
worth working for"
He glanced at me queerly.
II was not thinking of the money"
he muttered.
The streets were empty of foot-pas-
sengers as trudged briskly (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 the 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
n score of surmises chasing each other
into blind alleys. I had walked some
rs yards. when an impulse moved me to
halt and look backward. Gerard'sman-
sion. its mansard roofs sharply out
lined against the purple armament,
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 lust of millions,
like monstrous bat. had sucked from
it's victim vitality and virility. To
tie right and left were other palaces;
and recalled the histories of the men
Who built them. and shuddered. The
loneliness of the spot, 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
a lamp-post, stood man absorbed in
contemplation. Fancy urged me to
approach him.
1t was Burlington.
recognized him at once from
Gerard's description. His eyes coun-
tered mine savagely; then the heavy
lids fell.
"A fine night" said l.
"Ay." he returned. coldly.
'"The temples of Plutus." continued.
make brave showing by starlight"
He ierked his hand in the direction OF
Telegraph Hill. There, sir, lies Dago-
town; there, the Greek quarter. Hard
ly stones throw from us is China
town. where opium fiends and pesti-
lence 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, Pole whom had be-
friended stood my sponsor and saved
me a broken head, possibly broken
neck. The dominant note of the
speech had been truly demoniac sug-
gestion. The actual words of the speak
er were void of offense (from an official
point of view); but beneath the velvety
periods was the snarl of the wild beast.
Burlington's apostrophe, commonplace
enough, brought to mind the Chicago
den, with its flaming gas jets and
brutal odors.
Come" he said, abruptly, 1--WE shall
both catch cold loafing in this bitter
wind. I'm chilled to the marrow al
ready"
We paced few steps in silence.
I'VE 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 Lvingston-Hugo
Livingston?"
YES"
And you write-fairly well for be-
ginner; but there's nothing in it; not
bread and butter. My name is Burling-
ton. You are n stranger here? just 50.
As brother craftsman let me welcome
you to Cosmopolis. There is lots of
material here, hard and soft. Do you
propose to work it up?"
His questions. and a certain warmth
of manner, put me on my guard. I
wondered If he had seen me leave the
house O, his stnemy.