Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-05-19

woodland he flung the end of his
cigar in the fire, and crossed his arms
the major, this officer in her
majesty's service, this man who al
ways prided himself on being a gentle
man, was a heartless, ungrateful
scamp, and an unmitigated scoun-
drel!"
The major looked from right to left,
his face livid. his lips trembling. He
tried TO speak, but the words, what
ever they may have been, dropped in.
audibly from his dry hot lips.
"The name of this polished and
amusing gentleman was Meddon; the
young fellows was Desmond Carr
Lyon" resumed the other after a
moments silence when he got well
enough, he made up his mind, of
course, that he would go for his
friend the major, if he had to track
him round the globe. The major had
not left any address, but he had,
strange to say, left a note. It was
strange. 1t was piece of weakness
which was singularly inconsistent; but
major felt that he really could not
leave his friend and partner without
word of farewell. 1t is an interest
ing little note. I'll read it to you"
AS he spoke he put his hand in the
pocket OF his worn jacket and drew
out pocketbook. From this he took
yellow and soiled sheet of paper.
Here it is:
Dear Desmond:-I am going back
to my little girl. Don't think too
badly of me. I'll pay you back some
day. You will have another slice of
luck, please Heaven.
Ernest MeddOn.'
Nice, pious kind of gentleman,
don't you think, this major? The
young fellow got better, and he
started off in pursit But the major
was really clever man, and he had
managed to leave false clews here and
there, and this swindled party got
tired of hunting for him. Besides.
what would have been the use? The
major, among his other charming
vices, was a confirmed gambler; long
before the avenger could reach him
the money would be gone. So he went
on from year to year, until at last he
got the inconsistencies, which is as bad
as camp fever, and he managed to
make his way to England He had
forgotten all about the major; it is
scarcely necessary to say that he
didn't believe in the little girl: she
was a creation of the majors fertile
imagination, no doubt. He had no
idea of finding that gentleman, no par,
ticular wish, and it was altogether by
accident that he came across the
major outside of his own gate.
HE found the major-in clover.
Beautifully dressed--he had been
dining out-with diamond stud in
his shirt front: he lived il a nice
house well furnished, with a fifty
guinea acknowledging round the
handsome plate, nice pictures
or evidently in clover; while the
young man was seedy and out at
elbows, with nothing-no! a shilling
in his pocket and a penny roll in his
stomach. Truly, vice is always
punished, and virtue is triumphant:
and honesty is always the best policy.
And now you want to know what the
injured man is going to do?"
Desmond, 1 swear to you, I give
you my word of honor, for
Heavens sake, don't be hard upon
me! lit was a strong temptation.
II did it in a moment! 1t wasn't
for myself, but for-for my little girl.
IL swear l thought you were dead
II mean," he stammered. Il heard
you were dead, Desmond, | am a
poor man, am, indeed. But you shall
have all I've got. I've got little
fifty, a hundred pounds. You shall
have them. They're yours; | admit
it! I wish there was more, Take
them, my dear, Desmond; oh take
them!"
Get up" said Desmond. with grim
contempt Don't be afraid that |
shall take any of your money. Get
up; you make me sick.'
The major got up and shuffled to a
cabinet, tore it open. and shuffied
back with a roll of notes.
See here, Des; look, my dear boy.
he moaned. "Take 'em and let me
off! For the sake of old time, for the
sake of my child; think of her. Des-
moud, for Heavens sake. think of
her"
II would il could believe in her
existence" said Desmond, with a
laugh.