Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-08-06

le3QllC IN IA 2tLtuUc tA.'!tSS.NN w
WEAKNESS AID detection against o:i,' ri
the guard walls OF a bridge over the
Seine.
The spot. as might be inferred :roln
the remark was far fra.:l tie brilliant
lights and gay life of TIE chief bridges.
the loulevarCl>. The principal Gua;S.
1t was dark with th. darkness loved!
by criminals Few people passc,! that
way at night. and had there been many
the young man would scarcely have
been noticed.
Il believe l have francs left" hr
n,uttered TO himself. The prospects
are delightful
y shiver ran through his frame. He
looked down at the dark. forhidding
water. 1t swirkd below lis feet eli
Their in invitation or derision. 1t de-
pended on the man.
Buckford Wallace was an American.
He was young. He had sought Paris
with q Well filled purse. a heart full of
hope and ambition and a belief that he
was born artist. Within less than a
year be had e1nptied his purse. lost
hope and changed Lis belief 10 this
that he was a born fool.
At any rate he could not draw. nei-
Their could he paint. The full shock of
the realization did not come To him till
he had spent his money and learned
that the uncle who had been support
ing him in luxury had died and left his
fortune to his nieces, none of whom
was on marrying or even friendly
terms with Buckford
Buckford Wallace saw nothing ahead
but the bitterness and gloom of pow
erty.
\ month before he had believed him.
self TO hold fortune securely in his
hands and to possess talent enough to
make name for himself Today he
knew that francs was all he had and
did not know where another franc was
to come from.
Despair was in the young mans
heart. and it was pity, for be was q
handsome youth, free from the follieS
idly and at ease in Paris He was
brave enough TOO. But ct 90 one does
not face poverty and misfortune as one
faces human antagonist.
Buckford Wallace lad not conte!n
plated suicide. He had. in his heart
misery. wandered to that lonely spot to
think over his next Necessary step.
Even had lie thought Of ending his
life and his troubles Ne would be for.
given by ali except those who have
had .ittle LIFE and no troubles.
But whatever was passing through
Buchford's mind. his attitude was GER
rainly that Of q man who was about 70
plunge into the Seine.
Perhaps at that inolneD, h" did not
even know the Seine was there.
1t was the appearance Of lis sinister
motive that Set the pieces ot this i!isto-
~ in motion.
\ man was lurking II the still deep
er shadows on that hriise. This man
Wore large cloak which almost envel-
oped him and served as a rude dis
guise. \ SLOUGH hat was drawn over
his eyes. These eyes We're like those OF
cat. They could see in the dark.
They could stand anything buf honest
light
'Heavensw this man was mutterinc
to himself. There is Young fool who
is sick of life. Weary of the struggle.
he is about to end himself ignohly,
when, if he chose, he could devote his
life to the service Of humanity and win
Immortality and fame"
lhls was strange sentiment to come
from the lips of a man who s!.ulkeG in
the dark, wearing disguise.
And he added, as Buckford leaned
farther out over the water lust when
we need man who courts DEATH
Buckford. oblivious of the presence
Of the other, gazed down into tie swirl
ing water.
II believe" he said to himself, If l
had not been born a Wallace or had
not had my own dear mother to teach
me in my youth ! would feel tempted
to jump into that water and find rest"
a light touch on his shoulder startled
him.
Monsieur, do not attempt it. You
might succeed, but there is a doubt. II
you must do it, there is way
What the deuce do you mean:' ask
ed Wallace, drawing back in startled
amazement from the stranger.
Flush. Not SO loud! The police can
hear even in the dark and on this
bridge. We are two brothers in mis-
fortune. l, who am older, have learn
ed the way out l pity you. l will
lead you as l myself was led when
younger"
T-1 thank you" stammered Wal
lace. "But really don't need to be
led"
Come! We are fencing Do YOU
deny that in one moment, had / not
accosted you, you would now be in the
Seine?'
For moment Wallace hesitated in
doubt as to the others meaning. Then,
the dark cloak and SLOUGH hat acting
e q source Of inspiration, he laughed.
"Oh. my friend" he said, II had not
got SO far down as that"
But you were near it. Listen. I'll
an not mistaken, you are an Ameri-