The St. Mary banner., 1901-06-22
The Hand Of Fate
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* 9S
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS : SS
: OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES:
Anton Stradeski sat at the table
= with his chin resting upon his hand.
lost in thought. He was wondering
why he had not heard again from the
society. for he well knew what his dis
obedience of their commands would
cost him-probably his life. Presently,
q little boy clambered down from his
high chair and toddled round the cor
ner of the table towards him.
"Will Unkic please tate OF my nap
tinY
Anton turned and mechanically ul-
tied the seryiette from the child's neck;
then, as the little one put up his face
for the usual morning kiss, rush Of
tenderness came over the man, and he
lifted the boy onto his knees. pressing
the curly head to his bosom.
Poor little Bobby" he said, as he
stroked his face; you do love Unkie.
do you?" ...-.e
"Ess, l do," answered the child. as
his big, blue eyes sought those OF his
friend. 1s,
And what would you do II Unkic
had to leave yOu-had to go on long
Journey
you're not going to go; won't let
You, or you must tate me, too"
"But suppose some bad men were to
take me away and not let you come. y
said Anton, with something like a sob
in his voice.
Then l would till them," said the
youngster, and he clenched his little
fist.
Dear little chap" murmured the
man, "you have all your mother's
spirit in you. Well, Bobby" he con-
tinued, Il must be off to work now;
you run along down to Mrs. Boston,
and be a good boy, and perhaps Ill
bring you home some sweeties."
"All right" said the little fellow. as
he got down and marched of.
Dear little boy; it is for your sake
dread what Is coming more than for
my own. l have no wife nor child, and
you have only me to look after you. It
was your face that came before me
when was about to kill Marlpsky, as
they had ordered. Perhaps, ! said, ne
has a hoy like Bobby, and for your
sake I spared him; and now 1t 10 to be
my tur,."
Rising from the table, he hurriedly
looked at himself in the mirror over
the mantelpiece, then turned and
went ont of the house. He walked
through the Square and down Totten-
ham Court Road, in the direction OF
the warehouse where he worked. As
he reached the corner Of Oxford street
q peddler stopped him, and drew his
attention to the various small articles
displayed for sale upon his tray. An
ton shook his head and was about to
pass the man, when the latter picked
up one OF the articles wrapped IN It's
sie paper and handed it to him, say
Ing as he did so, Monsieur has not
seen anything like this before, and VIII
surely buy it."
Anton opened the paper and found
inside a small medallion portrait OF 8
man whose face he remembered well
Turning it over. he saw the fateful sig
nal written in French upon piece OF
paper gummed to the back: when we
meet, thou wilt remember to obey"
"Ah! it's come at last!" he ejaculat'
ed, turning to look for the peddler, wno
had, however, suddenly disappeared
lie thought he caught a glimpse OF
the foreign, bearded face looking a.
him from the window of cab thai
was going up oxford street. but no
where else was there any trace OF the
man who had handed him his death
warrant.
His first impulse was to call a cal
and hurry after the one containing tne
messenger, but he said to. himseiI
"Where IS the use? Suppose caugh'
him; It would avail nothing. and woule
not save me from the avenger.
Crossing the street, he went dowf
Charing Cross Road. looking about MN
In all directions for the original OF tn
portrait. for he knew the ways OF tn'
society and that their warnings were
soon followed by fulfillment.
When his days work was done ahe
no hurried homewards, he kept Iii
eyes moving from side to side' occa-
sionally turning round to see II MI
tracker were near him, for he did no
doubt that the man was already II
London.
As lie reached the corner OF Ox1or'
street again, he remembered tnat ~
had promised to bring Bobby nom
sweets. He accordingly went into
shop in Oxford street, ana nav'n'
made his purchases resumed MS jour
ney homewards. He was very muc'