Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-07-31


the truth of Stanton's nature and posi-
ton.
mo honest man." Ben said TO himself,
slowly, as he followed doggedly in the
others footsteps, would be a close friend
of such man as Gerald Tenby. Per
haps it has not been case of man to
man, but of two men against the lad
Stanton walked on slowly until he
reached Gerald Tenby's chambers. Ben
hardly knew why he remained outside
these chambers there was nothing to be
gained by it, unless indeed, he mounted
the stairs and asked boldly to see Gerald
Tenby
Finally he saw advancing toward him
rapidly a man, tall, and in evening dress,
and close beside this man, following him
like a beggar who entreated aims, was
another man.
Involuntary Ben Coop drew back a
step or two. Something in the movements
of both men urged him to do so, not that
he recognized Gerald Tenby, for he had
never seen him since the old life, but be
cause these last few days had sharpened
his mind to an extraordinary extent. Now
the mere fact that this man was approach
ing the chambers where Gerald Tenby
lived served sufficiently to make Ben on
the alert.
Before they reached the entrance he
suddenly moved within and stood behind
the open door, for he could see that it
was in this direction that the first man
was turning.
He held his breath as these two figures
stood on the threshold, and his hearts
beat seemed to buzz in his ears as he list
ened.
IF you dare to follow me like this
again." Gerald Tenby said, hoarsely, Il
will give you in charge"
Il mean to follow you, Sir Gerald Ten
by" the other man answered, It'll l have
got some justice out of You. You think
it is an easy matter, | suppose, to take
a mans bread out of his mouth. That's
what you have done for me. There's no
one will take me on as servant when
they hear that l was turned off at a min
ute's notice. Look here, Sir Gerald, l
may as we'll tell you that l have felt
from the very beginning that there was
something queer in the way you discharg-
ed me. You wanted to get rid of me
because there was something you wanted
TO hide, something mixed up with that
young man who asked to see you and
would not be refused when l tried to send
him away"
Ben started violently. BY what chance
had he been brought to this place? Was
this the commencement of the working
out of fate?
Sheltered as he was, Ben could see
without being seen, and by the light of
the lamp Sir Grads face was clarly dis
cernibie He put aside Stephens hand
from his arm.
You we're dismissed from my service
for impertinence, Let me tell you that
YOU don't make matters much better by
talking like this"
81 may make matters much more un
pleasant than you think for, Sir Gerald,
said the man, quietly. Since l have left
YOU, | have spent my days about this
neichborhood. and shall l tell you. sir
what l have learned in those days?
let that young man into your rooms. sure
enough, but l can find no trace of his
having left those rooms"
What nextT asked Gerald Tenby
with kind of sneer on his lips. Are
YOU pretending that spirited away this
fellow? You have no right TO follow me
like this, or to say such things, and il
YOU don't instantly cease this persecution
l shall take measures to stop you"
He pushed Stephens TO one side and
went swiftly up the stairs as he spoke
AS stephens turned on his heel and
slouched out of the doorway. Ben follow
ed him and touched him on the shoulder
Nay" he said, kindly, as the other
man turned on him with suarl. Il want
nothing from you. l am here to ask YOU
if there is anything l can do for you.
Just now | overheard a conversation be-
tween YOU and Sir Gerald Tenby don't
think that ever afore in all my life !
did so mean a thing as TO listen TO wha,
other people were saying to one another
but | had TO do il. When one can't gel
Justice by straight dealings, then one
must 20 crookedly 10 work"
81 don't know what you are driving
at" said Stephens.
Man" Ben said. suddenly, II believe
Won have got the power to put me int
possession Of some knowledge which /.
lust life or death to me-and some others
| heard you say just now things were pref
~ bad with you, and l am sorry for II
but IL you will stand with me and hell
me, I'll promise you and your forum,
shall mend
The town man put his hands in hi
pockets and eyed Ben. He was very much
inclined to be suspicious. The very sim
plicity and bluntness of this man VII,
spoke 70 him armed instead of dissrmet
him.
II am listening" he said. go on
SAY out what you've got to say"
Just now" said Ben. II heard yot
speak of a young man who lately callet
and demanded to see Sir Gerald Tenby
Maybe | am wrong 10 imagine that thi,
young man has anything TO DO with tn,
one l am looking for; still, when onef
heart is full of doubt and trouble. on,
ssiEeS on the smallest thing that looks lik,
hope. | am looking for one Of the bes
lads that was ever born into the world
for young man who has been shame
fully wrouged. and who suffered in pa
thence till others older than he. snd per
haps wiser. urged him to fight to get bacl
his own. TO denounee his enemies. l an
looking for the ms- Is whose shoes Si
Gerald Tenhy is no. standing"
Il don't understand you" said Ste
phens: but II was evident that he wa.
impressed. "Sir Gerald succeeded to Ok
Sir Maurice Tenhy, and he IS dead sur,
enough"
"Ay, right enough. forget" said Ben
sadly, you don't belong to the old part
and TO most fox my Lad has passed a.
dead: but he is rot dead. And he IS N,
man / am looking for-Son OF old Sii
Maurice Tenby and rightfRl owner Of Ii,
title and the money"
A whistle escaped from Stephens lips