The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-17

/ can't speak to him. ] best know John
Scannell of all his friends; I've no closer
friend myself than he: but / don't know
him well enough for that"
Now come We TO the last act OF this
tragedy; a tragedy born OF conditions Pc
was November of 1872. The DAY was Sat-
urday. Lacking a fortnight. three years
had slipped away on the slow tides or
eternity since the murder OF Florence Scan
Eell. Domaine was never seen these days.
and seldom heard OF. Now and again -
half whisper would go about that Dona-
hue had been In town, but was fed again.
John Scannell, on his part, was about in
his own affairs, calm, equal and cold; he
never smiled and never spoke OF Dona-
hue.
it was the evening OF the day. In .
basement at the northwest corner OF Broad
way and Twenty-eighth street and under
the present F1fth-avenue Theater. was a
poolroom. John Scsnnell, who was walk
Ing in Broadway at the time, paused and
he believed him full 1000 miles away and
more. for a waif-word blew about that
fires of vengeance giowed as hotly as ever.
but by long waiting they had become
banked. In the lapse Of years the tooth Of
wasn't longing and looking 70 3pd his Zoe.
with every moment. as was earlier true.
There were full 300 in the place. scanneli
saw only one. Before him stood Donahue-
That man who had slain his brother. and
AOA ~ ht ACRtt 1h1
delivered into his hand. Almost three
years had sped since John. Scannel beheld
and worse than dead. by the hand OF this
man. The picture WAS with him still Al
most three years had gone-more than looo
days and 1000 nights-and each day he had
night he had prayed that the hour. might
Ssppine IS vas Tse he mars ago s hs w Of the m mos
ment filled his heart: his pleasure over
flowed In laughter.
nelTs face shone with a smile. His eyes
w wssS III. LIGHTED I.%ps brightly ~ 4 White up; S yst pl nonssas:
opposite. was as one of stone, and with a
cheek of ashes. Donahue had courage, but
carry him against this man OF Joy and
death. Donahue couldn't command himself.
his right hand ana hidden in his coat was
heavy pistol. IL was found frozen In HE
fingers when he was dead. Donahue pointed
but his hand was nerveless; he couldn't IRE.
Twice he called. In . dry. hoarse voice Like
a ravens croak;
And again, "Johni"
Donshue was calling TO one who should
the m Sasa The blood Of his brother was
John scanne.l stil looked on Donahus
nell reflected or Donahus as with q comic
llghtness that matched the smile on his
lips. Inlt was what nc tuOh8nt.
no lead viii lii you. Perhaps this Il true.
And III make a promise In your favor-if
this time. I'll call my vengeance of-rl
let the dead past bury its dead"
m so%e Of sesn Gs thH Then wsi his .' tsoashi n VENT sns
shue. erasped in his hand q pistol He
cared not II he died or no; he was sure In
his heart that he would live 20 XIII Don-
sss nr snd s ssas Ti' s a1 %' re eyeyes woea:
Donahue at intervals called:
joint" huskily.
Then a third thought came 70 scanneih
my pistol carries the heaviest OF balls.
When / shoot this man tho bullet will ga
through and through and wound or Kill one
There was truth I'm this. for as scsnnelk
stood in the door the onlookers. as pale az
Donahue-for each foresaw the sequel
were crowded 90 the rear and In the limo
of fire. This would not do: Scannell wanted
no mans blood but ones.
p soshnsli T 6ss. asbt to p sa2s, irD%.y s anSu IN.
capable. could only turn 10 meet him. Scan
nell ceased not 20 smile. His unwinkin2
ahue. The latter was held as by a SPELL
Slowly Scannell went about Donahue tn
the right. never Widening never lessening
the distance. At last he had forced Dom
ahuo crosswise OF the room, with naught
behind him save the safe. insensate wall
! Not until then did scannelfs hand seek
his weapon. And he went slowly after n.
with pauses full OF pleasant hesitation
Scannell stu tacitly called Donahuo to
action. II was not TO be. DOnahue Was az
rigidly helpless as a. statue OF Ice. With
iron elaboration Scannell drew his pistol.
Donahue. licking a dry lip. stood at Eazs
and as one planet-struok.
Bang
Between those murderous eyes which had
lined the shot that stole his brothers life.
Scannells revenge went crashing. Dona-
hue crippled forward. half-turned. and
with a sob. which broke on Scanncll like q
tune OF music. fell heaclOng down.
John Scannell looked on his prone enemy
for Il moment while his bosom hiled With
the tides OF "A generous peace. II was as
though n stone had been rolled from hts
heart. Then he went slowly forth. and
no hour had seemed 80 sweet nor the world
SO bright as before.
An officer touched his elbow. Scanneil
turned and followed him. The officer led
the way. The dead Donahue was where
he fen. \ captain OF police stood close al
ID you sec your work. asked the cap
tain.
II do" The sudden sparkle 10 glance in
Scannells eyes showed how burned tbs
fires 20 be kindled IN u brothers breast
by a brothers murder. Il do. | see ny
work: observe how 1 approve IL"
Bang
And Scannell sent a bullet through the
dead Donahue as he had sent one through
the living Donahue before The body
jumped on the floor with the sprlngy cons
cussion OF the shot. and then lay still. The
vengeance OF John Scannen was full.
Prom Alfred Henry Lewis's "Richar<
Croker" by courtesy or Life Publishing
. Company.