The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1905-01-05
CHAPTER XXIV.
A Final Accounting.

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With the dawning OF morning there
were many rumors afioat in the village.
The story of Seadog's relapse, the send
ing for old Rngwold, and the dying
condition of the two men had reached
the public ear. Stories Of mysterious
disclosures were also being told and the
people were wrought up to unusual ex-
element.
II was known that Captain Budlong
had remained at the place all night !;
that Sankala was there and that the
militia surgeon had been kept busy and
that about daylight old Bumbo, the
lawyer had been sent for.
Sankala and Dan Lapham had also
been seen to visit the Ringwold cabin,
and they had taken large bundle of
papers to the Seadog home.
The interior Of the Seadog home pre-
sented an interesting picture. On a
bed lay old Seadog calm and weak, He
was breathing easily and his physical
suffering had been lulled by heroic
scientific treatment. But the agony
which racked his brain is indescribable.
1t is only those who have suffered with
a guilty conscience while looking death
in the face that could properly sympa-
thize with Charles Seadog.
On another bed in the same room lay
the aged Ringwod. He had undergone
complete change. The feeble old
form which had for so many years res
ponded to the appeals OF life and raised
itself up as though coming from the
grave, had reclined to rise no more.
His work was over. His mission was
about performed Yet his brain was as
clear as a bell; his eyes as bright as
youth.
Seadog's family lowered about him.
The sergeon stood at his bedside.
Bumboo, the lawyer, sat at table near
by.
Sankala held her aged protectors s
hand. Dan Lapham stood at the foot
of Ringwold's bed. Captain Budlong
was at the door to answer the questions
of the curious.
"Tell the whole truth, Charles, tell it
all. have proved to you that Sankala
is his child. She is entitled to his inter
est in the property, Do fair by her up
on your soul!"
So spoke old Ringwold, feebly but
encouragingly to Seadog.
"After my return from Siberia |
looked up the boy. | had located you
long before. When | got the papers
arranged persuaded him to come with
me to America, but he had marrying on
the brain and would not come until the
ceIemony was performed and his young
bride was ready to Come,' continued
Ringwold, 1--WE were all poor in finan-
ces and had to take the old sailboat.
The voyage was long one and the
child, Sankala, was born on board the
vessel. The surgeon of the craft made
out birth certificate and Bumboo has it
there. | took it from the hands of the
childs mother as the ship went down
and have kept it ever since,
"She is the only heir and entitled to
his share of the properly. The other
papers will show what this is. | re-
ceived the final documents yesterday.
Bumboo has them. Do justice, Seadog,
do justice, upon your soul, tell it ALL"
Seadog's very moments were number
ed. The wound which he had received
in the last encounter with the southside
fishermen had developed case of blood
poisoning and no power on earth could
now save him. OF this, he was fully in
formed. While the fact that he was
about to face the final tribunal where
man is called upon to give an account
ing, may have had something to do with
softening Seadog's heart, he was con
fronted with the evidence of his wrongs
on earth and of the just rights OF others.
He told the story of how he had
wronged Sankala's father; how he had
williuIly caused Ringwold's exile to ST.
IBERIA and how he had fled to America
with his ill-gotten gains. OF his accu-
mutations here, his auditors already
knew, He had learned of the sailing of
Sankala's father and mother from the
old country and had found their names
on the ships register, and knowing that
they were dead, and having no know
ledge of the birth of Sankala, thought
all trouble from that source had ended,
When he had completed his story,
which was reduced to writing by Bum
bo, he was completely exhausted, but the
merciless attorney insisted on further
statement. |
"Seadog, you are in your right senses,