The Washington times., 1903-02-22
The Crisis in the Life Of the Millionaire Promoter OF
Western Tozvn and HoqU It Was Net.
BY ANTHONY LELAND.

bier. he evolved rapidly into one OF the /
representative citizens OF the growing |
feverish town. He was one Of its solid" |
men. a warden of its most fashionable |
church. whose pretentious ediice his |
money had more than half paid for. ana. |
although close upon fifty years OF age, |,
he had rounded out his respectable role !
as a financial and moral pillar OF the COM !
munity by marrying a young and pretty |
woman. He had installed his young
wife in the biggest. newest and most
/ impossible architectural fantasy OF tho
( south, end. He was proud OF her. ana
Isvishly kind to her rs we'll His pres
ent financial difficulties would have
daunted a man endowed with a less over
/ whelming belief in his own destiny. bu,
/ luck had not once deserted him dur
I ing the past ten years. and he believed
( in it.
/ As he was driven this evening through
tho dreary streets Of the ugly town. a
feeling Of confidence in his ability to cope
successfully with any obstacle which fate
might throw in his pathway possessed
him Let CrandalI and his croaking go
to the devil he thought. The town is
all right and am on top" To his wife
as she met him at the door. he said:
Pack up your traps. my dear. I'm go
ing TO take you for a little Eyer to New
York tomorrow night"
At o'clock in the afternoon Of the fol-
lowing day Higgins was still at his desk
A pile OF letters lay before him, and as
the last one of the line of men who had
claimed his attention during the long day
retired. he touched the bell summoning
Dodge
Have all the men gone. Dodse?"
"All except Handy, sir He is Just
putting up mis- books
Tell him to go to the union station
with these tickets, meet Mrs Higgins
there, and check her trunks for her
can't get away for half an hour yet, and
she Will be worried IL some one isn't
there 20 take care Of her"
YES, sir" Dodge started to leave the
room, but paused with his hand upon the
door. "A woman has been waiting some
time to see you he said. "She won't
tell me what she wants-says she must
, see you"
The devil. I haven't any time for
- !
gar Make her tell you what she wants
Il don't think she Is either OF those.
S sir. She looks like respectable sort of
e a person. widow. I imagine. She says
= she won't detain you but a moment"
: "oh: Well, show her in. I can listen
). to her gable while run over these pa
? pers."
{ She was a gaunt. little woman, thir
o and worn. with the lines of hard, un.
s happy life about her drawn mouth and
& dull eyes She was dressed In rusty
e black; her hands. incased In cotton
j. gloves. were tightly clssped as she stood
: just within the door looking sharply a
Higgins back as he stopped over hi
desk, rapidly scanning the file Of letters
q in front OF him.
e WELL he said, abruptly. not lookinI
j. up from his desk. what can 1 do fo
: you? I'm very busy. and haven't an,
!, time to waste
e She made no reply. but stood oalml.
with folded hands.
L What is it?'' he cried. looking UP i'm
= patiently. annoyed by her silence.
Their eyes met. The woman caugh
u her breath sharply. sudden look o
fear crept over the mans face Tn
= woman smiled grimly as she advance
/ toward him.
, you amt quite sure whether it's m
CT somebody else, are you. Jim?'
J. My Godl Nary"
,e He started from his chair. but fer
n back quickly. with great beads of swea
nc on his brow.
yet. it's me-hesh and blood Yo
TX don't appear TO be glad to see me. bu
- I'm most surprised you know me at a,
after all these years. Lord knows. I
ought to be changed after all I've wer
hi through She sat down beside hi
desk. smiling viciously and scanning hi
on face closely You amt changed so av
full much" she continued in her whir
ir, ing monotone; only you're better fe
Iy. looking than you used to be. You ain
DIT changed hale as much as your name ha
Jim Weltou,"
he The man was covering in his chat
N. breathing heavily At her last words h
Oh sat suddenly upright.
IN shut up" ne said. hoarsely. Don
m you dare to use that name again"
tie "Pohl you cant brighten me. It
n YOURS afn't it2"