Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-12

no indication to the animal eyes of the
other that this young American might
prove to lie the dcadliest foe he and bis
fellow conspirators could meet.
While Buckford dressed, his host sat
silently watching.
"Niy friend" he said you amaze me.
You are young. handsome, brave. Why
should you wish to die?"
Wallace's lips opened to say that lie
was far from wishing to die when he
remembered that his usefulness TO the
conspirators depended ON his supposed
weariaess of life.
what is life after all!' he asked.
with a good attempt at Il gesture Of
despair. Last week l had money,
friends, everything. Today ] have
nothing. Death is preferable to z life
of poverty"
yes, yes that is so. Eut you had
chosen au ignoblc way of finding it,
Wa:lnce wanted to laugh. His
thoughts While standing on the bridge
had been bitter enough. Who 1T his
age, suddenly finding himself renni!ess
and with no plans for the future,
would not have lad morbid and bitter
thoughts? But Wallace was TOO brave
youth to seek death rs Il means Of
| escape from poverty. The sting over.
lie would 60 to work like n man ANA
earn his living. But in the first hours
OF his disappointment lie knew not
how to start.
"Wcn," he replied. that is all mat
ter Of taste. don't see what differ
ence it makes how VIC go"
"But there is Il noblcr use for life.
Think Of the wrongs that are heaped
upon the heads of more than half the
world. Think of the crimes and t3ran-
MES Of the rich. Think of the mon
strous wrong in the usurpation Of pow
er by those born to thrones"
"Well, but I'm an American"
do you think that IS q reason why
you should be deaf to the cries Of hui
manity? Rather it is a reason why
you should sympathiZe with men of
less fortunate nations-the down
trodden ones Of earth"
Wallace knew that this was merely
preliminary sparring. He knew the
willy conspirator was leading up to the
matter of importance-th plot against
the prince.
ooh, what's the use theorizing?" he
grumblcti. THAT man of your brother
hood met me on the bridge. | came
here With him. He said something
about my being of service. Now, why
not come out with it at once?"
Tie other hesitated.
Are you sure that you are ready,
that you feel sure of yourself? Is
there no doubt of your inclination to
work for humanity at the cost of youl
lifew
Wallace looked out of the little I'm.
washed window.
~ am as ready" he said slowly, ste
lose my life in the interest of human
ity as I was to end it in the Seine
last night"
His examiner sprang from his chair
He did not notice any reservation il
Wallace's speech. Men do throw them
, selves into the Seine for various rea
sons There was no doubt in the minds
of any Of the regular habitues a
jacques that Wallace had been on the
brink of death when snatched from i
by the gentleman of the cloak.
make me one PROMISE" said thu
owner Of the, room. Promise me 70,
, will not attempt your life before thi
evening"
Buckford could scarcely restrain hi
, desire to laugh.
, 81 promise" he said surlily. "But
is long. l have nothing"
ooh. as to that! Take this"
: A purse was put into his hand.
at makes the matter easier" sal
Wallace. "a day without a sou! Al
it was promising too much"'
My young friend" said the other, q
feel for you. Suddenly plunged int
poverty, unable to find work, unable
beg or steal, nothing but starvalto
: seems before you. But, listen! Afte
have stated your case to my-to Gel
;. tain persons who are interested, it
mission to perform certain piece c
work in the interests of humanit
that is very dangerous. Ii you acceI
!, and perform this service faithful,
= you may find at once that long res
= which seems so desirable. If you e.
= cape with your life, you will no lol
, ger be suffering for money. You wi
9 have more than you know what to d
= with. Come! An opportunity Is b
fore you-an opportunity that woul
be eagerly embraced by any of hui
. dred know, but from whom it
withheld because they have not yor
gentlemanlike appearance"
!, What do you wish me to do today
y asked Wallace.
Keep your promise and return
e this place by 8 o'clock tonight"
II will
. you need breakfast. Come wit
= me-"
y They descended into the not overil
= yiting dining room of the inn of
= Jacques. and breakfast was ordered.
- by the way" said Wallace cnreles
= ly, ''if | return and do not find you, fl
:, whom shall ask?
A iaI- init