The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-11-23
CHAPTER II.
The HOuse Of Pain.

The man who waited on the outside
Of the house in the clustering wind and
rain, while his messenger went On his
e1rand, had. but a little time to wait.
after all. Expecting some delay, he
had drawn himself up as snugly as pos.
sible in the shelter Of the doorway on
the opposite side Of the street; had
wen made two unsuccessful attempts
hopeless.
IT wonder what they'll say to him..
he mutterei, glancing across at the
lighted window Of the house. what
message will this cousin have to send?
Ugh! This is not the ~pleasantest spot
in the world to wait in. I almost wish
that I had gone myself. I suppose If I
hadn't lived such a s~elf-centered life, I
picions and dfstrusts. How the wind
bowls! I'm nearly wet through!"
Then, quite suddenly, into the dark
and dreary night, was shot forth a man
from the same gateway that had
swallowed up his messenger. But this
man came out as though fearful Of
something behind him-dashed out
blindly, with one hand. half-covering his
eyes, and h other stretched out, CROP,
irgly, before him, turned swiftly and.
darted off down the street; turned the
first corner and was gone. Even as he
disappeared, another figure rushed
through the gate-looked in all direc-
tions, and ran swiftly In the opposite
dtrection; halted a moment, and looked
about; and then a back again.
Scarcely realizing what he did, the man
who had waited in the doorway glided
out and ran at top speed otter the first
fugitive.
The man had a good start; and; as
the streets In that part We're short and
were bisected, moreover, by narrower
streets, the fugitive had a good chance
'of getting clear away. Indeed, 1t was
only by good luck that the man who
followed could have hoped to come up,
with him.. But luck happened toabe on
his side; coming to the end Of q street
and CHANGING to left and to right In
search OF his man, he saw him, q little
way down the street to the right, sit
ting on the steps Of a building that
looked like a church, with his head In
HIS hands. The pursuer crossed the
road and made rapidly towards him.
He was within a couple of yards OF
him when the man started to his feet;
beat off the other with both hands, and,
with.a cry of terror, dashed away again
The other set his teeth grimly. n set
tled. down as grimly to the chase.
Street after. street they traversei,
racing madly through the driving rain
sometimes in the roadways, sometimes
on the pavement-through pools Of wa
ter, over. heaps Of stones, through and,
over everything that came in the way
And the first man maintained the lead.
even though he darted on, in that mad
fashion, crying to himself, and with one
hand covering his e partially, and
the other stretched out before him.
Then another sound grew out of the
night9a sound above the whistlings OF.
the wind-above the n~oiseFof racing
feet. Agreat roar and rattle Of wheels
and boots, the patter Of! many feet on
the pavement, the shouts and cries OF
men who ran. The second Of the two
men. with but q yard dividing him from
the man in front. glanced rapidly to b
left as he came to the endsof q street
saw 8. cleaning, fiery thing, with BRASS
helmeted men upon II, sweeping Town
towards them, and5shouted frantically
yto42he man who q before.E
Il In the roar and rush md hurry Of b
moment he saw and heard only tW1p:
things: saw the man In front dart
straight before the flying. swayfhg
monster, beat It with his feeble handaS
and 70 downsunder Ut: heard the shout
that went mp from many hroata sasS one.
OF the fremen dropped irnbly@o be-
hind, and the engine swung along on its3.
Eyxuav TheScroWd divided. SOnnesEoarfng