The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-13
Chapter VI.

sions: form superb, manner lofty, face
as composed as Van Dyke portrait, an eye
unresponsive as glass; finally, mind ct vast
and sluggish power seldom stirred such were
the characteristics of Captain Henry Sotheran.
He a of cool. persistent force,
gaining his desires by dint Of willing them,
bending to his own the small, good -natured
minds surrounding him - Caesar In
little, Cromwell OF a social set. He was so
strong that he might rise where he pleased,
but the height of his desires was ease, wine,
money-in word unworth!ness. He had the
powers common to great men-purpose, will,
ability to scheme and execute They were
dormant: but like the muscles OF a lazy giant,
they were unimpaired by sleep, ready at call
to do their work.
So satisfied was he with his life that to move
In high society and, to have money for his
pleasures were almost enough for him. One
other thing, however, the nature In him
craved; respect. that Is, deepened by sug-
gesuon OF mystery and dread! He was cruel
not upon impulse, but by cold scorn OF
weakness. Whoever irritated him hs turned
contemptuously to punish, but not as one who,
kills snake Rather it was like the reptiles
own sneering destrucuveness. BY his exploits
with duelng sword or pistol he gained the
glamour he desired; by aloofness he deepened
the spell. Men were deferential to him, cau-
tious OF expression. willing to contend for his
good will. Women were fascinated by his
manner. his few words. and the respect tnat
was paid him.
There are episodes in our lives which we
would gladly forget-deeds. words, even
thoughts. Time does not weaken the memory
of them: recollections persist In returning
bringing to the good man humiliation, TO the
bad or weak, anger. One such there was III
Captain Sotherans life-one complete failure,
his blackest act foied ty Frank Elery. The
thought OF 1t reused not blush, but fury.
He had no care for the stain OF It, but ne
TUNED that he had bsen checked and wounded
by creature he despised. No one oetore
had so much as scratched him; no one had
even looked into his eyes with contempt; he
had never inspired anything but alarm. For
these things he hated the woodsman, and for
this in addition: that instant OF fear tefore
the sword cut him, That was almost the
worst Of 1t ALL he could not forget 1t. II re-
CURED in his dreams-an awful moment with
a white, Indefinite race threatening an i'm
n,ndlng stroke, and in his own heart horror.
No memory of pleasure could ooiiterate that
shame. ~
The moment on the Common when he saw
Frank pass by with Alice. when he knew his
friends to be studying him curiouslys had
been bitter But there was more than the
shame OF being openly supplanted, more than
mere personal rebuff, for then he realized how
much he cared. At the sight OF Alice. rosy
and pure somewhere within him tegan a
throbbng, the sudden pulsing of new force
his heart From that instant up to the terrl-
BILE end OF his life, he was ruled oy ne"
passion-love
Real love. tortured, misshapen.- perverted,
IN awful passion, without warning seized and
ruled htni 1t added itself to the brains POW
ers. Il aulckened and stimulated them; II
breatead malevolcnce and demanded action
It instantly doubled his forces. The giant IN
him awoke, slarng about for weapon, >Ac-
oident In tho shape Of General Gage with his
~
within reach. Sotheran seized 1t and began
at once upon his course.
That day at noon. in one OF those taverns
whose cautious proprietors kept the dividing
line between whig and tory. DR.. Church sat
down to his dinner. He was away from his
usuai haunts: he had a desire to be alone,
10 consider his liabilities and appraise his as
sets He ordered ,"anything," he ate indif-
terently,> but he drank with Judgment, and
made note that good wine was to be had even
IN that place.
1se looked up from his brooding when a tall
nrhre loomed above him, the CLINT OF scarlet
and trass from which first attracted his eyes
Tbe face. long and strong one, was familiar.
He heard himself addressed, and the doctor
searched his memory for their last meeting
IOh. yes he said; you are Captain Soth-
Gran" -.-
Landlord" said the captain, "a bottle o1
the Doctors wine. 'Tis sure to be your best
Nav. no food l have dined Doctor he wen
on. as the landlord departed, YOU have moi
sought me. as hoped 49,.
I'm truth" said the doctor. II had for
gotten. I am so busy, dye know. I'm some
times absent-minded Sit down. pray cap
tain" .. ~. -,
TWAS delicate assumption OF each WITT
which the captain seated himself. The weary
doctor did not see the keen looks Whlcf
shot at him. noting his careless dress hts
hair disturbed as II by hands in thought
and the circles at his eyes. This man !;
mine" the captain thought. H..
Aloud he said: II never supposed that yc,
were allowed to be alone. Where is the fol
folinw of wings? You have escaped them 2
cay" said the doctor, forcing himself tt
attention. lone must have privacy.
.tThat is we'll for me- answered the cap
tain. "because-". and he tapped his pocket
"There was an I. D. u, was there not?'
asked the doctor. To himself he thought
a'Were It the only one!" ..
"a little one," said the captain. "A few
minutes only are enough to make 1t chang
hands"
INV dear captain" answered the doctor
"I am a careless man, and have not so mucl
money by me.
.You mistake me-" returned the officer
s.I am not the man to press for payment.
merely thought there must be cards here
.Oh!" said the doctor A smile came an
his ewes twinkled. "Forgive me If mis-
understood. Landlord!' he cried. then turne
10 the captain again. Il have not held han
for two days. Landlord, pack Of cards"
Then he paused. But unless you lend,
he said ''or credit me, ! cannot meet you
Captain, let ME remind you OF an episode i
history. When the Dutch fought the Engiis
a century ago in a certain great fight upo
the sea the powder of the Hollanders failec
Their admiral sen! to the English messag
that they would prove themselves not beate
II only they might buy more powder. Tn
English replied-can you guess?"
The captain drew his purse from his pocke
s'That a fair fight to a finish Is worth tw
victories gained by other means. Such mus
have any Englishmari have said He bega
10 laugh and extended the purse Here, m
Dutch friend" >@e s.- a.". *
4 9'.veertig pond cried the doctor, ''can 70
lend 10 much? Eh. but the purse Is heavy.
"There are a hundred guineas," said IL
captain.
"Divide them evenly" challenged Churcl
III at the end Of the half hour have M
them all, and the I. o. U. as well, then l WI
believe in your luck. ~
Agreed responded the Englishman. "B'
II VIM"
''Then the devil is with you--and again
me- the doctor added TO himself. The col
temptation was not pleasant.
Nor was it pleasant to watch as the ha
hour passed, the gradual reassembling Of Il
\ coins at the captains side. Little gain
little gain, sotheran won; occasionally r
.eryoa did-Tof rhspee the course II