The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-01-28
The MURDER OF
ARNOLD GRANGE
- g 81 OK &
Ry HERBERT ALLINGHAM.
By HERBERT ALLINGHAM.

MwW%WW%V%'~S~% - M s " ~ = -
A GOOD many years ago two young
n .Glen We're prospecting for gold in
California. They met with incredible
luck, and in less than year had made
their pile.
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
ne fell asleep.
When he awolle he was alone. A
first he could not believe he had been
deserted, but as the hours passed the
horrible truth sank into his mind.
lie 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 grewsome 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 !
was Phil Mason, though | am lsnoWn
by quite another name to-day; and
the horror of those lonely hours Of
torgaent filed my soul with bitter
hate that lasted five and 20 years.
Enough, then. to say that was res
cued by a black fellow, and that
fortnight later I was back among
men. able to get about, although only
a 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
tngs.
Penniless and weak "a health,
could not follow him, and when some
months later j got a little money
together, all trace of him had disap
peared.
So the years. passed on in this eadless
quest. 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
q careless conversation, overheard
by mere chance, tcId me the present
name and habitation of the man who
had wronged me.
1t 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 I anticipate
any trouble in obtaining an interview.
The man would not dare to send me
away.
was right III few moments the
old butler returned and conducted me
to his master.
I found myself in a large, richly
furnished 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 I could
not at first see his face. Quietly
walked across the room te. him, and
SCR moment we confronted each other
in silence.
Prosperity had changed him. even
es adversely had changed me.
For one thing, he did not look his
gears. He could have passed for IS,
and yet | knew that BE must be well
over So
He wore a well trimmed beard and
mustache and his skin was white
When | had known him ne was clean
shaver and deeply bronze6.
You do not recognize me, Tom
Warner" said az length, addressing
him by his Old name
He kept a bold front, but I thought
l detected a lurking fear il ais eyes.
1T is long since ne met he said
ID low tones
Long. indeed" 7 replied, with Bit
ter laugh. 1T IS g5 years since YOU
left me. a wounded lad, to- die of thirst
IN the mountains. Twenty-Five years
since you robbed me Of the gold 8 had
@orked and sweated fort"
He fdseted nervously, but offered
no defense. no excuse.
But / have hunted you down at
last, Tom Warner-or Mr. Arnold
Grange. if YOU prefer that. / have
hunted you down. and by heavea you
shan,t escape me now,ss
II sea case of blackmaiI." he
said coolly.
/ took a step towards him. and I
think the look in my eyes frightened
him.
There, there.', he said hastily.
'sWe need not quarrel. The past IS
dead. Let's forget it, Come and see
me tomorrow and we will go into fig
ures Meanwhile here is something to
so. On With
4 took the bills and reconnted them.
THANH you" I said. as placed them
in my pocket. = will call upon you
tomorrow; hHg understand this. !
shall not be satisfied with % cent less
than malt of Eour fortune. If YOU try
TO rob me of a single dollar. by heaven
the whole world shall knoB your
Gbory!'