Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-08

| 1t that you desire?' he repeated.
I'VE want our money cried a score Of
voices. I'VE want back that which you
| have stolen"
II have not your money, nor yet have l
stolen it. If you have suffered by this
foolish panic, you do not mend matters by
thus treating me. By heaven, you go the
of the way, you canallel Do you think to
brighten me? l made your city. 1 made
you all. Now, do you think to brighten me,
John Law"
"Oh! You would go away. you want to
escape!' cried the voices of those near at
hand. I'VE will see as to that!'
! Again they fell upon the carriage, and
still they hemmed him in the closer.
True, | am going away" said Law.
But you cannot say that l tried to steal
away without your knowing it. There, up
the stairs, are my papers. You will see in
time that L have concealed nothing Now
not because l am afraid to stay here. IT'S
for other reason, and reason Of mine own
Twas you who ruined Paris-this city
which you now seek to leave" shrieked
the dame who had spoken before. still shak-
Ing her useless bank notes in her hand.
''Oh, very WELL my friend. For the argu-
ment, let us agree upon that" said Law.
"You ruined our company, our beautiful
company" cried another.
Certainly. Since 1 was the originator Of
IT, that follows as matter Of reason" re-
piled Law.
"Ah, he admits It'll He admits itr' cried
yet another. Don't let him escape. Kill
him! Down with Jean L'as!
I'VE are going to kill you precisely herei"
cried huge fellow, brandishing a paving
stone before his eyes. You are not fit to
live"
LAS to that" said Law, 81 agree with you
perfectly. My hand upon it; am not fit to
live. l have found that l made mistakes.
l have found that there is nothing left to
desire. have found out that all this money
is not worth the having. 1 have found out
SO many things. my very dear friends. that
l quite agree with you. For If one must
want to live before he is fit to live, then,
indeed, I am not fit. But what then?'
XIII him! XIII him! Strike him down.
cried out voice back of the giant with the
menacing paving stone
"Oh, very well, my friends" resumed the
object of their fury, ficking again with his
old, careless gesture at the deep cuff of his
wrist. LAS you like in regard to that
happiness in the past, yet it was many
long year since, any man could trouble me
by announcing that he was about to kill
me-"
stayed the hands of the most dangerous
members of the mob. Yet ever there came
the cry from back Of them. Down with
Jean Las! He has ruined everything!'
Friends" responded Law to this cry, bit
terly, you little know how true you speak.
1t was, indeed John Law who brought ruin
to everything. 1t was, indeed he who
threw away what was worth more than all
the gold in France. 1t is indeed, he who
has failed, and failed most utterly. You
cannot frighten John Law, but you may do
as you like with him, for surely he has
faied!'
The bitterness of despair was in his tones
Then perhaps, the sullen, savage crowd
had wrought their last act of anger and re-
venge on him, had it not been for q sudden
change in that tide of i'll fortune that now
seemed to carry him forward to his doom
There came sound of far-off cries, dis
tant clacking of hoofs, the clatter of steel
many shouts, entreaties and commands
The close-packed crowd which filled the
open space in front of the hotel writhed
twisted turned and would have sought to
resolve itself into groups and individuals
Some cried out that the troops were COM
ing. detachment of the kings house,
hold, sent out to dispense these dan
gerous gatherings, came full front
down the street, as had so often come
the of the military in this tur-
bulent old, city of Paris: Remorselessly
they rode over and through the mob driv-
ing them, dispensing them. A moment later,
and Law stood almost alone at the steps
of his own house. The squadron wheeled,
headed by an officer. who rode upon him
with sword uplifted as though to cut him
down. Law raised his hand at this new
menace. -
Stop he cried 81 am the cause of this
rioting. I am John Law =
What. Monsieur Las?' cried. the lieu
| tenant. so the people have found you,
have they? ss.s
r.