Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-04-07
CHATTER XXI

he hasn't been well, but that would
hardly be enough to account for the
change in him. Did you see him, may
ask, Mr.. Stanton, when be was in
EnglandP'
L informed him that l had done so,
not thinking 1t best to volunteer the
statement that I had only met him
once.
And did he seem like himseif?"
This was rather turning tie tables
upon me. was not prepared to answer
many questions, but without hesitation
l replied to this one. saying that. in my
opinion Farnham had seemed uncom-
monty jolly and we'll.
Bennett looked thoughtful. "He got
home here In Denver at night" he said
"after telegraphing from New York he
was coming. l went to call at his re-
quest-another wire-not a Ietter-and
he saw me in bed. Mr.. Farnham is so
fond Of plenty of light and noise as
rule, but in his bedroom he had refused
to have the electricity turned on, and
there was only a lamp on the table as
far as possible from the bed. called
out: How do you dor In my usual
tones, but he answered me almost in a
whisper. There were some important
papers which had been waiting for
him to sign, and I had taken them
with me, thinking he'd be anxious TO
attend to them-he was always so keen
and prompt in business-but he seemed
quite angry when 1 suggested it, and
said he wasn't TO be bothered about
anything of the sort for a week.
Next evening 1 saw him again for
n few moments, and there was the
same dim light, the same whispering.
q IT,, al al 4.
Informed me, and when l objected
that he didn't seem up to travelling, he
answered that when there was a lady
in the case there was no question of a
man being up to- things. 1 might send
his letters to the Santa Anna Hotel,
San Francisco, he went on, until
further notice, which 1 should receive
by telegraph in about ten days IL his
plans went well. Just as l was going
he said, kind Of laughing. an1 yet part
ly in earnest, too. We'll, Bennett, II
you don't hear from me at the end OF
that time, you'd better begin to look
me up. The game that I mean to try
and win is dangerous one. There are
others who want the lady besides N.Y.
SELF
Now, II there was a town on the
face of the earth that Mr.. Farnham
used to hate, that town was San Fran
cisco. 1t was because he hated the
Journey, and never wanted to take IL
again, that he sold his mine out In Cal
lfornia to the English gentleman, Mr.
Wildred. l would not have supposed
that there was woman alive would
have got him 10 go to San Francisco
and used to think too, that Mr. Farm
ham didn't care much for women; but
no doubt the longer one lives the more
pne learns, and the more surprises one
gets in such matters. l needn't say
much about his being away from Den
yer for Il few days, even at the
office, he limited to me; and with that
we parted. Next morning early he
left, and not line have had except
q wire, merely announcing his safe ar
rival at the Santa Anna Hotel"
listened in silence. Before Bennett
had finished speaking my thoughts
were far away-as far as San Fran
cisco.
"By Jove," exclaimed aloud. 1.-THE
Santa Anna Hotelw
do you know IL, Mr.. Stanton?' In
quired Bennett evidently surprised at
my sudden vehemence
ct was there once, many years ago"
said. "The name has brought back
an old association to my mind which
] had thought was lost"
1 knew now where 1 had seen those
strange eyes OF Carson Wildred's, and
what was the deed with which they
had connected themselves in my mind
connected themselves in my mind.
After all, perhaps, / had not come to
America for nothing
My memory travelled back over
space of ten years. L had then come
back to San Francisco after an expedi-
ton into distant wilds with a party of
friends shooting grizzlies In the Rock
les. had stopped at the Santa Anna
Hotel, a small hosiery lately built
having an English landlord, and there
fore greatly frequented by English
men.
been great disturbance in the house
Three men who had been stopping at
the place got quarreling over game
of cards which they were playing in
a private parlor. Two, who were the
hosts, and were entertaining the third
had set upon him with intent to kill,
being accused of cheating. / and
several of my friends had run out from
the billiard room, hearing a yell for
help, just In time to see man in eve-
ming dress stagger, bleeding, from the
opposite door. I'm killed! That devil
has murdered mep' he exclaimed, and
fell forward on his face.
At Benefits mention of the Santa
Anna Hotel, the whole scene had come
up before me as wildly as though 1t
had been enacted but yesterday. The
open door, showing a brilliantly lighted
interior; cards scattered on the floor;
a young man-almost boy-standing,
as though frozen with horror, by an
overset table; a large bowie knife,
common to the country, apparently
fallen from his right hand to the floor.
At the door itself an older man, who
had followed his victim, no doubt
with the intention OF keeping him from
making an outcry or escaping into the
hall. But he had been too late. and the
expression OF his face as he met our
eyes was hideous. Though the knife
had to all appearance been used by his
companion, 1t was at him the murdered
man had pointed before he fell and
died.
He was the one apostrophized as
wretch, and though he had high adul.