The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-08-04

| caressingly around his neck" Tn
skeleton laughed, working it's bon
; jaws with a succession of cracklin
sounds that make Gordon shivel
How 1t used to startle him! He woul
turn white as a sheet as he locke
up into my face. Once he sprang t
his feet In desperation, and we had
!, wrestle all, about the room, overturn
ing chairs, tables and everything els
that came in our way
You succeeded in shortening m
fathers life," returned Gordon gloom
lily. Under your tyranny he sank int
his grave long before his time"
so he did, so he did, and he passe
me ON to you with the rest of his prop
erty, real and personal. 1t was ricl
inheritance, my dear boy, even thougl
L had to be dragged at it's heels. Ye
don't accuse me of any responsible,
for your fathers taking off. He wa
the author of my existence. Lik
Frankenstein, he built me up bone b,
bone, and was not content until he ha,
made gigantic monster and ha,
Dreathed into my bony breast tn
breath of life. Then in order that
might not atiiict his right he stowet
me Away in that closet. Suppose be
came the instrument of his own un
doing. Is it not true that he was never
theless the author of his own down
fall?"
Your logic seems to me as'merciless
as 1t Is correct" answered Gordon, will
knitted brows. "Still there are some
points relating to your history on which
my mind Is trifie obscure. What
possessed my father to call into being
a creature of your disagreeable char
acterT'
The almighty dollar, young man
He created me in order that you might
inherit little more wealth. He did
not think then how l should one day
sit astride his shoulders like the Old
Man of the Sea, nor did he think that
it was possible for me to affiict his
son. For obvious reasons my relations
| with you are not so intimate as they
were with your worthy father. l was
evolved out of the wheat pit of the
board of trade. Your father was a
bull, and he mercilessly gored both
life and fortune out of a certain bear
who was not nimble enough to get out
of his way
"And who was this bear?' asked
Gordon.
"A man named Hepburn"
Amy Hepbutn's father?" murmured
the young man, rubbing his hand
across his brow in an effort to remem-
Der.
Yes, Hepburn lost every penny he
had in the world through that disas-
trous wheat deal. He was forced into
bankruptcy, and, unable to bear the
disgrace, took his own life. His money
went to increase the store your father
left you, my boy, and it is now posi-
BILE for you to live in luxury while Hep
burns wife and children must strug-
gle on as best they can. However"
and the skeleton got up and started
back to It's closet, lit Is not for me to
moraliZe. Now that I've caught my
self delivering homily I'll just take
my departure. Au revoir, my dear
fellow!"
Hating at the closet door the skele-
ton waved its adieu and disappeared
within. Gordon sat in his chair, deep
in thought, while his cigar burned it.
self out between his fingers.
AT last he got up and shook his
broad shoulders as though freeing him
self from a disagreeable burden.
Society has dared me-" he mutter-
ed, but l know my heart now and
I'll do as l please"
After Harry Gordon and Amy Hep
burn had been married and had return
ed from their honeymoon, Harry
brought his bride upstairs to his old
bachelors den and seated her in
chair.
My DEAR" he said, 4 have a confes
sion to make to you. My father once
did your father grievous wrong, and
have made myself the happiest fell
low in the world by undoing it. How
ever, as we are not to have any secrets
from each other, you must know
about this
A look of establishment came into
Amy's blue eyes as she watched her
husband proceed to the closet, throw
open the door and go rummaging in
side.
I'm looking for something that
does not seem to be there-the Gordon
family skeleton, Amy. For the first
time in fifteen years it is not to be
found in that closet"
Just then clanking tread was heard
in the hallway without, the door was
pushed slowly ajar and the skeleton
limped in, supporting itself on crutch
and looking very much the worse for
wear.
There 1t Isl" cried Gordon. whats
the matter with you, old chap? Here,
sit down. I want to make you ac-
quainted with my wife,"
The family skeleton dropped into a
chair and shook until it ratified like a
score of castanets.
I'm done for" it groaned. you've
fixed me, young man. l just dropped
In to say gOod-by forever. But don't
introduce me to your wife. We've met
before"
That's so, Harry" said Amy. 81
know all about this family skeleton of
yours. Don't let it worry you, my
dear" md she threw her soft arms
about his neck. "Let the dead past
bury Its dead If we are happy, isn't
that enoughY"
Enough. yes" And he pressed rap
turous kiss upon her fair cheek.
That kiss pronounced the doom of
the Gordon family skeleton. Forth
with 1t began to fade into thin air, |
finally vanishing and leaving not a