The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-18
From the Demons Grasp.
BY WILLIAM A. CLEMENS.

1 have come to offer you this check-it
is for $50, C00-no, you must not refuse it
| that it may keep the wolf from the door,
When that is gone, and I am living, call
on me- and before the distracted widow
could say a word, Vernon was bowling
himself out of the door.
Well had the housekeeper and his valet
| SET the stage for the masters entrance
in the evening. A bright fire shone from
the hearth; on the center table was a
| huge bouquet of roses; a pitcher of ice,
glasses and black bottle on the marble
mantelpiece; his slippers and smoking
jacket pipe and tobacco were convenient
ly near.
Presently he summoned servant ~
shall not be ready for dinner for some
time" he said when l wish it served
I will let you know. While you are here
open one of the windows. The room is
oppressive
AS the butler withdrew Vernon relapsed
into gloomy silence. The liquor on the
nantelpiece remained untouched Deep
down into the glowing Goals his eyes were
fixed, as If trying to penetrate the secrets
OF their life. For half hour ne sat
He arose and kic.rnd the dying embers
with his heavy shoes and then walked
to the window to close it. The moon was
sending long silvery beams through the
street below was covered with sleighs,
the bells tinkling unsteady upon the
crisp air. Far away came the keen,
swift ringing of skates upon the winters
on jewsharp. The windows from a
hundred taller buildings twinkled and
| shone and spoke of gladness, of warmth,
| of happiness within.
| A timid knock at the door caused YER
non to turn and command the inquirer
| to enter. A letter for you, sir" said
the servant. II did not know it was here
| until l saw it at your plate in the din
Very well. Let dinner be served at
| once; the fewer dishes the BETTER he
| said, as he looked at the envelope. "Ah,
| from my little brother on the farm, God
to tell me about his rabbit drives, his
| traps, his dogs and the last fight ne was
| in He laid the letter on his desk and
! then took drink of whisky; Il will
| leave the letter for an after dinner cor
| DIAL he said to himself.
When the meal was eaten Vernon re-
| turned to his room-his den, as he fond
| ly called 1.-THE place where he had
| terprises. He dismissed the servant
who had followed him, unlaced his shoes
| put on his slippers and smoking jacket
| lit his pipe and settled down. letter in
| hand. in the big arm chair before the
crate. The letter read:
| Tuscaloosa Dec. st.
| Dear old bud. Yesterday cot pos.
| sum Which you will get From the spress
offs about the time You get This. Also
some nlisselto and some red haws and 9
| bag of Pussimmuns and Some Calamus
Root whut dug Out the Ground myself
| Sis is got herself a new bow and she
| don't speak to me emmy mo hardly they
| is to have a big christmas tree at the
church and sis is to have ball the
Same Mite their is SO Much cuttin UI
| at the House that / don't feel at Home
any More my Colt is big Enouff To ride
now but Pa he wont let me git on hin
| much he is going to be race horse
| you bet i Wish you was commin home
| for Chrismus ma and Pa was talking
| about you last night And they Cried JUS
| like miss Anne wilson done the other day
! when showed her the suite of close yoJ
sent me. good Bye From your loving Bro
ALFRED VERNON.
When the millionaire Spectator had
finished reading the letter, 1t fell from
| his hands. The man got up from his
seat and nervously paced the floor. II
was not of his money, nor Of the scenes
and incidents of the day that he was
| thinking. He put on his shoes and over
| coat and closed the door behind him.
| The streets were thronged with people
for the evening was early. He did not
know where he was going, nor did he
care. He must nave air; he must have
| exercise. The clang of electric car bells