Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-03-23
THE MURDER OF
ARNOLD GRANGE
YEgY&&:
BY HERBERT ALLINGHAm.

% - AAfh we're prospecting Tor gold IN
y California They met with incredible
q iuck. and in less than a year had made
= their pile.
y One day they went together on a
+ shooting expedition, The younger OF
/, the two, Phil Mason. was accidentally
) shot by his companion and badly
wounded.
: For some hours Phil was tenderly
: nursed By his companion. and then
be fell asleep
, When he awoke he was alone. Al
hrst he could not believe he had been
deserted, but IS the hours passed the
horrible truth sank into his MIND.
He had been left 10 die.
The agony Of thirst and the pain OF
his wounds made him deirious. To re-
late what he suffered would only pro-
vide grewsome reading; and, after all.
II is past and done with these 40 years
and more. Besides, the subject is to me
particularly distasteful one, for
was Phil Mason, though | am known
by quite another name to-day; and
the horror OF those lonely hours of
torment filled my soul with a bitter
hate that lasted five and 20 years.
Enough, then. TO say that was res
eued by a black fellow, and that a
fortnight later | was back among
men. able TO get about, although only
shadow Of my former self
On making inquiries | found that
my chum had cleared out of the coun-
try taking with him our united saw
ings
Penniess and weak in health.
could not follow him, and when some |
months later / got a little money |
together, all trace of him had disap-
peared.
So the years passed on in his endless
guest, interrupted by spells of hard toll.
Then one day, after five and 20
years, the knowledge which had
sought so hungrily came to me by ac-
cident.
A careless conversation. overheard
by mere chance, told me the present
name and habitation of the man who
had wronged me.
II was nearly ten O'clock at night
when | presented myself at the door
of the handsome house in Hammond
square, the residence of Arnold Grange,
the eminent banker.
Not for a moment did | anticipate
any trouble in obtaining an interview.
The man would not dare send me away. |
was right In a few moments the
old butler returned and conducted me
10 his master.
| found myself in a large. richly f,
furnished room, lighted only at the
farther end by a shaded electric lamp
IN a big open desk covered with pa =
)ers
At the desk stood a man with his ,
lead turned towards me, but could =
lot at first see his face. Quietly i,
walked across the room to him. and y
or a moment we confronted each other :, :,
n silence. u
Prosperity had changed him, even
S adversely had changed me e
For one thing. he did not look his
ears. He could have passed for IS. - =
nd yet / knew that he must be well W
yer So
He wore a well trimmed beard and ~
iustache and his skin was white. n'
When | had known him he was clean
haven and deeply bronzed. n'
you do not recognize me. Tom
Warner - said al length, addressing ~
i'm by his old name va
He kent bold front. but 7 thought ~
detected a lurking fear in his eyes.
1T is long since we met. he said %
low tones
Long indeed" replied. with a Bit ~ ~
r laugh. 1T IS 25 years since you -
II me. wounded lad. to die Of thirst w.
the mountains. Twenty-Five years =.
nee you robbed me Of the gold 7 had ~
orked and sweated furi" ~
He fdgeted nervously, but offered
} defense. no excuse. a.
But I have hunted you down at "a
st. Tom Warner-or Mr. Arnold va
range, II you prefer that. I have
lnted you down ard by heaven you ,i'
iant escape me now" 70
Il sea- case OF blackmalli" he 'H'
ia coolly
took a step towards him. and I M
tA's NAS AooN IA my cAt iftEuteneu e.
I'M ia'
There. there'" he said hastily. IN,
We need not quarrel The past Is
Fad. Let's forget it. Come and see SO
e tomorrow and we viii eo into ag-
res Meanwhile here is something to to'
) on With"
took the bills and recounted them. NO
Thank YOU" / said. as placed them so
my pocket = viii call upon YOU ue
'-morrow but understand this.
lall not be satisfied with a cent less ui
ian half OF your fortune If YOU try -
rob me Of a single dollar. BY heaven ,H'
e whole world shall know your
oryt" 0ai
"You enn trust me" he replied cooI- =
4 know when ] am beaten. Can "
By find your own way out2" ~
Something in his voice aroused nv =.
ispicions and ! turned on him ~
srcelv. ~