The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-11-08
CHAPTER II.
THE PLOT OF THE ANARCHISTS.

(SYY1T was late in the day when
Eb 4 Buckford Wallace awoke from
RSss1aSSS1 the deep and refreshing sleep
esss.sssYszas lie had found after his strange
and exciting experiences of the night.
He was awakened by the touch Of n
hand, His eyes opened to see, bending
over him, the same wolAike person
who had offered him the use of the
room and bed.
Come. my young friend" said his
host, with what seemed to be intended
for friendly smile, you have enjoyed
good sleep. That is well, but there
are other things to think of, eh?'
For one brief moment Wallace Won
dered where lie was and what had
brought him there. Then it all came
back to him, and lie sprang from the
bed. His smiling, handsome face gave
no Indication to the animal eyes of the
other that this young American might
prove to be the deadliest foe he and his
fellow conspirators could meet.
While Buckford dressed, his host sat
silently watching.
My friend" he said, you amaze me.
You are young. handsome, brave. Why
should you wish to dieY'
Wallace's lips opened to say that he
was far from wishing to die when he
remembered that his usefulness to the
conSpirators depended on his supposed
WEAKNESS of life.
What is life after ailT' he asked,
with good attempt at gesture of
despair. Last week | mad money,
friends, everything, Today have
nothing, Death Is preferable to a life
of poverty"
"Yes, yes that is so. But you had
chosen an ignoble way Of finding it."
Wallace wanted to laugh His
thoughts While standing on the bridge
had been bitter enough Who at his
age, suddenly finding himself penniless
and with no plans for the future
would not have had morbid and bitter
thoughts? But Wallace was too brave
youth to seek death as q means Of
escape from poverty The sting over
he would go to work like man and
earn his living But in the first hours
Of his disappointment he knew not
how to start
We'll" he replied, that is all mat
ter OF taste ! don't see what differ.
ence it makes how we go"
But there is nobler use for life
Think of the wrongs that are heaped
upon the heads Of more than half Il /.
world Think of the crimes and tyran-
MES of the rich. Think of the mon.
strous wrong in the usurpation of pow
Ell by those born to thrones
"Well, but I'm an American"
DO you think that is a reason why
you should be deaf to the cries of hu-
manity? Rather it is reason why
you should sympathize with men of
less fortunate nauons-the down
trodden ones of earth"
Wallace knew that this was merely
preliminary spaming He knew the
willy consp:rator was leading up to the
matter of mportauce-th pot against
the prince,
"Oh, what's the use theorizing?" he
grumbed. That man of your brother
hood met me on the bridge. | came
here with him. He said something
about my being of service Now, why
| not come out with it at once?'
The other hesitated.
"Are you sure that you are ready,
that you feel sure of Yourself? Is
there no doubt of your inclination 10
work for humanity at the cost of your
Iife?"
Wallace looked out of the little un-
washed window,
/ II am as ready" be said slowly. ito
| lose my life in the interest of human
ity as l was to end it in the Seine
last night"
| His examiner sprang from his chair
| He did not notice any reservation in
| Wailace's speech Men do throw them
selves into the Seine for various rea-
sons. There was no doubt in the minds
! Of any Of the regular habitues at
Jacques that Wallace had been on the
| brink Of death When snatched from 1t
by the gentleman Of the cloak.
Make me one promise" said the
! owner of the room promise me you
will not attempt your life before this
evening"
Buckford could scarcely restrain his
desire to laugh,
II promise he said surily. "But it
is long. l have nothing"
"Oh as to that Take this"
A purse was put into his hand.
''It makes the matter easier" said
Wallace "A day without sou. All,
it was promising TOO much"
My young friend, said the other 81
feet for you Suddenly plunged into
poverty unable to find work, unable to
beg OF steal nothing but starvation
/ seems before you But. listen, After
: ] have stated your case to my-to GER
/ tain persons who are interested, it is
, possible that you will receive com,
mission to perform certain piece of
work in the interests of humanity
that IS very dangerous, If you accept
and perform this service faithfully.
you may ind at once that long rest
which seems so desirable. If you es-
cape with your life. you will no Ion.
ger be suffering for money. You will
have more than you know what to do
with Come An opportunity is be.
fore you-an opportunity that would
1 no 90 a,,, i,pa caI h. - 49,.