Courier Democrat., 1903-08-13

(SsGszy he had found after his strange
and exciting experiences of the night.
He was awakened by the touch of a
hand. His eyes opened to see, bending
over him. the same woltlike 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
a good sleep. That is we'll. but there
are other things to think of, eh?'
For one brief moment Wallace Won
dered wf"fH he was and what had
brought him there. Then it all came
back to him, and he 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 deadlicst foe he and his
fellow conspirators could meet.
While Buckford dressed. his host sat
silently watching.
"NIy friend.' he said, you amaze me.
You are young, handsome, brave. Why
should you wish to die:'
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
weariness of life.
"What is life after all:" he asked.
with a good attempt ut !, gesture Of
despair. Last week had money,
friends, everything. Today l have
nothing. Death is preferable to 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
escape from poverty. The sting over,
he would go to work like Il man AMI
earn his living. But in the first hours
of his disappointment he knew not
how to start.
"Well," he replied, "that is all mat
ter of taste. l don't see what differ
ence it makes how we CO.
"Rut there is Il nobler use for life.
Think of the wrongs that are heapetl
upon the heads of more than half the
world. Think of the crimes and tyran-
MES of the rich. Think of the mon
strous wrong in the usulpation of pow
er by those born to thrones
"Nell. but I'm an American"
"Do You think that is /: reason Why
You should he dear to tine cries of hu-
mani1y: Rather it is a reason Why
you should sympathze with men of
less fortunate nations-the down
trodGen ones of earth"
Wallace knew that this was merely
preliminary Sparring He knew the
willy conspirator was leading up to the
matter of importance-thc plot against
the prince.
"Oh, what's the use theorizing?" he
grumblcd That man of YOUR brother
hood met me on the bridge. l 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 to
work for humanity at the cost of Your
life?"
Wallace looked out of the little IN
washed window.
II am as ready" he said slowly. "to
lose my life in the interest of human
ity as l was to end 1t in the Seine
last night"
His examiner sprang from his chair.
He did not notice any reservation in
Wallace'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 it
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 surlily. But it
is long. l have nothing"
ooh, as to that! Take this
A purse was put into his hand.
ut makes the matter easier" said
Wallace. "a day without sou. All,
1t was promising too much"
"My young friend" said the other, 81
feel for you. Suddenly plunged into
poverty, unable to find work, unable to
beg or 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 a COM
mission to perform certain piece of
work in the interests Of humanity
that is very dangerous. II you accept
and perform this service faithfully,
you may find at once that long rest
which seems 80 desirable. If you es-
cape with your life, you win no Ion
ger be suffering for money. You will
have more than you know what to do
With. Come! An opportunity is be-
1ore you-an opportunity that would
- eaeesly embraced BY any Of . hun.