St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-02-11
the MURDER OF
ARNOLD GRANGE
PTFF%&
BY HERBERT ALLlNGHAM.

S&~~~<&e>1~@>oeo~~%o~%e~>s
\ GOOD many years ago two youn
II men We're prospecting for gold il
California. They met with incredible
luck, and in less than year had mad,
their pile.
One day they went together on :
shooting expedition. The younger o
the two, Phil Mason, was accidental,
shot by his companion and badly
wounded.
For some hours Phil was tenderly
nursed by his companion, and ther
he fell asleep.
When he awoke he was alone. A!
first he could not believe he had beer
deserted, but as the hours passed the
horrible truth sank into his mind
He had been left to die.
The agony of thirst and the pain OF
his wounds made him delirious. To re-
late what he suffered would only pro-
vide grewscme reading; and, after all
1T is past and done with these 40 years
and more. Besides, the subject is to me
a particularly distasteful one, for 1
was Phil Mason, though l am known
by quite another name to-day; and
the horror of those lonely hours of
torment filled my soul with bitter
hate that lasted five and 20 years.
Enough, then, to say that was res
cred by black fellow, and that a
fortnight later I was back among
men, able to get about, although only
q shadow of my former self.
On making inquiries l found that
my chum had cleared out OF the coun-
try. taking with him our united saw
ings.
Peuniless and weak in health, /
could not follow him, and when some
months later l got a little money
paared.
So the years passed on in this endless
quest, interrupted by spells of hard toll.
Then one day, after five and 20
years, the knowledge which l 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.
1t was nearly ten o'clock at night
when l 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 l anticipate
any trouble in obtaining an interview.
The man would not dare to send me
away.
was right. In few moments the
old butler returned and conducted me
to his master.
I found myself in large, richly
room, lighted only at the
farther end by shaded electric lamp
on big open desk covered with pa
pers.
At the desk stood man with his
head turned towards me, but l could |
not at first see his face. Quietly |
walked across the room to him, and |
Tor moment we confronted each other |
In silence.
Prosperity had changed him, even
IS adversely had changed me.
For one thing, he did not look his |
years. He could have passed for IS.
and yet knew that he must be well
over So
He wore a well trimmed beard and
and his skin was white.
When I had known him he was clean
;haven and deeply bronzed.
''You do not recognize me, Tom
Warner" I said at length, addressing
lin by his old name.
He kept bold front, but thought
detected lurking fear in his eyes.
1T is long since we met" he said
n low tones.
Long, indeed" replied, with Bit
err laugh. cit is Is years since you
eft me, a wounded lad, to die of thirst
n the mountains. Twenty-Five years
ince you robbed me of the gold I had
worked and sweated fort"
He fidgeted nervously, but offered
70 defense, no excuse.
But ! have hunted you down at
asst, Tom Warner-or Mr.. Arnold
range, if you prefer that. have
united you down, and by heaven you
hant escape me now"
Il sea case of blackmail!" he
aid coolly.
I took step towards him. and
hink the look in my eyes frightened
i'm.
There, there,' he said hastily.
We need not quarrel. The past is
cad. Let's forget it. Come and see
,e tomorrow and we will go into fig
res. Meanwhile here is something to
0 en- with"
/ took the bills and recounted them.
Thanh you" said, as placed them
4 my pocket. Il will call upon you
o-morrow; but understand this,
hall not be satisfied with cent less
han half Of your fortune. If you try
} rob me Of single dollar, by heaven
ne whole world shall know your
.ory!"