Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-04-26

on doggedly now, determined, and the
hand of Providence alone could have
moved him to turn him back.
The trampled snow lay in glisten-
ing ridges upon Michigan avenue, al
most deserted at that early hour, but
the marks of thousands of runners
showed that the sleighing had been
good the day before and that the we'll
to-do mad been out in numbers to en-
Joy it. He smiled bitterly as the
thought flooded him. Once he, too had
driven fine horses on the boulevard.
That was when he had been Mr.. Fen
wick, the rising young lawyer. That
was when he thought he was about to
marry Edith. Well, he would drive
once more-to the Styx this time-and
he would wed, with Death, the grim.
He had almost reached the eastern
osrbing of the broad highway when
something shining in the snow drew
down his glance. The new risen sun
had thrust a dart through the creme
lated wall reared as parapet shield
ing the eyes of the Lake Front park
from the brutal utilitariansm of the
railroad in the depths below and it had
found a golden target. Jason stopped
and picked from the snow-a lady's
gold watch, set with wreath of dia-
monds
For an instant he stood in stupor,
holding the glstening jewel in his I'M
gloved, unwashed palm. Then with a
swift motion he thrust hand and watch
into his pocket, clutching his prize
eagerly, and looking sharply about to
see if there were any to dispute his
treasure trove. He who had been
about to die, 1ow would have fought
fercely to retain the means Of living
on. Visions of broiled steaks and
their noble encourage formed halos in
his brain. Not Alnaschar himself be-
fore he kicked over his basket of glass
ware, INDUCED in more day dreams
than did Jason in traversing the seven
city blocks from Congress to Ran
dolph streets. He had walked north
ward mechanically, toward his original
destination, and with an impulse, I'M
expressed even in his own mind, to
get quickly as far away as possible
from the scene of his rare fortune.
No cry of halves" could be tolerated.
No vague assertion of ownership
should be listened to. The prize was
his. all his. Had he not found it?
Columbus and the Spanish dual crown
had no better claim upon the vast new
world.
The wind and the arctic air had been
forgotten. He felt glow from ear to
toe, and, within, his heart leaped in
exultancy. An angels arm had
snatched him from the grave. Well.
he would prove worthy to be saved.
He would rehabilitate his manhood.
The path of reform and work should
now be his.
Suddenly, as II his brain had en-
countered live electric wire, came the
shocking, sickening thought that even
were this prize his very own he could
not use it. Its value was extreme.
How much he did not know, but his
trained experience had suggested at
the first rapid glance that it had cost
hundreds. Nevertheless, it was dross
in the hand which clutched it. Should
he try to pawn it, he would be ar
rested. Should he try to sell to any
reputable person he would be looked
upon with suspicion and refused. If
he took it to fence" some "levee"
thieves banker, he must accept the
tenth value which would be offered.
AS these reflections crushed him, his
head was bent again and once more
the wind stung him like whip.
Then a new idea came to him and
Jason turned westward and hurried to
the saloon across the court from the
public library. He seized morning
paper and feverishly turned to the
Lost and Found lads" All, here it
was the first thing:
LOST-While driving in Michigan boule-
ward, Thursday afternoon, between
Jackson and Thirty-frst street, lady's
gold watch. set with diamond wreath. 1t
Is valued as a souvenir and $3.50 will be
paid for Its return to 2s99 Michigan ave.
An hour later worn and tired man,