Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-05-29
Observation-Disclosures ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1.-THE HAND OF FATE E
a IS
Observation-Disclosures

MS mana, lOs- Ill thought. lie
was wondering why he had not heard
from the society. for he well knew
what his disobedience of their com
mands would cost hlm-probably his
life. Presently little boy clambered
down from his high chair and toddled
round the corner of the table towards
him.
"Will unkie please tate off my nap
tint"
Anton turned and mechanically united
the serviette from the childs neck; then,
as the little one put up his face for the
usual morning kiss, rush of tender
ness came over the man, and he lifted
the boy on to his knee, pressing the
curly head to his bosom.
Poor little Bobby he said, as he
stroked his face; you do love unkie,
do your
"Ess, l do" answered the child, as
his big blue eyes sought those of his
friend.
"And what would you do If unkie
had to leave you-had to go on a 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,'
said Anton, with something like sob
in his voice.
"Then | would kill them," said the
youngster, and he clenched his little
fist.
"Dear little chap" murmured the
man, you have all your mothers
spirit in you. Well, Bobby" he con-
tinued. 81 must be off to work now; you
run along down to Mrs. Boston, and be
good boy, and perhaps I'll bring you
home some sweeties."
"All right said the little fellow, as
he got down and marched off.
"Dear little boy; 1t is for your sake
l dread what Is coming more than for
my own. have no wife nor child, and
you have only me to look after you. 1t
was your face that came before me
when was about to kill Marinsky, as
they had ordered. Perhaps, said, he
has a boy like Bobby, and for your
sake spared him. and now 1t Is to be
my turn"
| Rising from the table, he hurriedly
looked at himself In the mirror over
the mantelpiece, then turned and went
out of the home. He walked in the d.
rection of the warehouse where he
worked. As he reached the corner of
Oxford street peddler stopped him,
and drew his attention to the various
small articles displayed for sale upon
his tray. Anton shook his head and
was about to pass the man, when the
latter picked up one of the articles
wrapped in tissue paper and handed 1t
to him, saying as he did so: Monsieur
has not seen anything like this before.
and will surely buy it,
Anton opened the paper and found
Inside q small medallion portrait Of a
man whose face he remembered well.
Turning 1t over, he saw the fateful
sign, written In French, upon the back
"When we meet, thou wilt remember
to obeyr'
"Ah! it's come at lastw he calculated
turning to look for the peddler, who
had, however, suddenly disappeared
He thought he caught glimpse of the
foreign, bearded face looking at him
from the window of cab that was
going I'D Oxford street, but nowhere
else was there any trace of the man
who had handed him his death war
rant.
His frat impulse was to call a cab
and hurry after the one containing the
messenger, but he said to himself
"Where is the use? Suppose | caught
him, 1. would avail nothing, and would
not save me from the avenger."
Crossing the street, he went down
Charing Cross road, looking about him
In all directions for the original of the
portrait, for he knew the ways of the
society, and that their warnings were
followed by fulflllment.
When his days work was done and
he hurried homeward, he kept his eyes
moving from side to side, occasionally
turning round to see If his trackers
were near him, for he did not doubt
that the man was already in London
AS he reached the corner of Oxfort
street again, he remembered that he
had promised to bring Bobby home
some sweets. He accordingly wen
into shop in Oxford street, and, hav
Ing made his purchases. resumed his
Journey homewards. He was very
much surprised at reaching the door O
the house where he lodged withou
having been accosted by any one.
Bobby was .overjoyed at seeing hin
and his burden and the child kept hi
thoughts from brooding upon the mes
sage he had received In the morning
by the laughter he made as he explod
ed the crackers in the bonbons, ant
by his making "Unkie" decipher tn
notices he found therein, as well a
by dancing round the room with colol
ed caps upon his head and Anton
stick In his hand, playing soldier