Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-03-12

face whenever chance offered. 1t
was a bizarre struggle. what with its
comical aspects. and what with the
threat of tragedy that increased every
moment, as Norton realized his oppO-
nent's terrible earnestness. At last it
seemed that the greater suppleness and
length of limb had triumphed; Norton
was on top. the other mans arms Sc
curely held down in the snow. But
then arose the difficult question how
to dispose of this man safely and yet
humanely. IL positions had been re-
versed, Norton would have been in
perilOus case; a devil was glarng out
Of the two eyes that met his. reck-
less demon of hate against the whole
world Norton on the contrary, had
no general grievance: in particular he
had no quarrel against the stranger
whom he held pnioned in the snow.
Only one person had been In his
thoughts as he came down that lonely
side street. and her he would not have
harmed for all that life could afford.
1t had seemed. though, that death
|
the agony Of his meeting with her that
afternoon. finding her so affectionately
Intimate with that superciliOus middle
aged Professor What's hs-name; and
his just resentment met with what
sounded to him like heartless sheer,
and all this after years Of absence IN
constant love and hope. BY all logic
Norton ought to have been glad to let
the man in the peajacket get up and
kill him, but somehow his impulses
had all been changed by this chance
meeting with fellow-creature to
whom life seemed as unbearable as to
himself.
The solution Of the problem how to
release the desperate man came to Nor
ton when the painting stiffness was
feebly broken by the distant voice Of a
child calling. The man on the ground
raised his head, as If by force Of hab-
1t, to listen. The voice came nearer.
Papa. papa. Mamma wants you"
| LET me up. That's my kid"
Norton jumped up delighted.
Papa. Mamma wants you to come
to her"
| "Here, Connie"
The man in the eajacket sat up on
the snowy curb, trying to rid himself
Of the marks Of his rough-and-tumble
In the snow. Norton was picking up
his tall hat when little girl in print
frOck emerged from the darkness of
the street. The little girl appeared to
forget that 1t was cold night. and
that her black wooden shawl thrown
over her head was very slender pro-
lection. The shawl was trailing be-
hind her as she ran to her papa, and,
sobblng, threw herself into his arms
ooh, papa she didn't mean it-mam-
ma didn't mean for you to go away
and never come back! Won't you come
to her now, please, papa?"
Norton, brushing his silk hat, felt
once more moved to Taught er-perhaps
not the laughter of merely humorous
appreciation. but still laughter. Taught
by his late experience he moderated
his laugh to hardly audible chuckle,
and then, as that excited no fresh out
break on the part Of Comics papa, he
spoke up:
Yes, Connie"-he had caught the
little ones name-'papa's going home.
But you mustn't catch cold, little girl
Here"'
He was taking off his own overcoat
| to throw over the child when her faith
err, still sitting in the snow hugging her
| to his pea jacket, looked up and caught
him In the act
IF you take Off that coat, you'll
catch your death Of noomony, mister"
he said.
Il shall not have time for that, part
ner. Why not? Because I'm going to
send you home with Connie while 60
the other way" He nodded In the d.
rectiOn of the river. Il have no home
where I'm wanted. and no little girl to
run about In the snow looking for me-"
Connie looked up at him over her
papa's shoulder. "Ain't you got-no-
body at all?"
Nobody at ALL Connie. Here. let me
see if the coats too long for you"
Her papa rose and gathered up the
trailing black shawl. Run on home,
baby he said. wrapping it tight about
her. Run on now, just as fast as you
can, and tell mamma I'm coming right
away-soon as | get through talking to
| this gentleman on business
Norton took something out of his
pocket. stopped. and transferred the
something to Comics hand. whisper.
ing to her. and she after one puzzled
stare, disappeared up the street. lie
looked after her Il moment. ana then.
turning away with chuckle. said:
You must have been clean off your
hear, partner. And you tried to make
out | was. | wish you'd tell me what
the trouble is. But. anyhow. | know
now you hadn't half my excuse for
wanting to jump into the river"
"Think so, eh? How would you like
1t if you worked hard for ten years.
and then had to see your things all
sold out-horse and wagon and every
thing-and your wife saying you're no
| kind Of Use"