Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-09-14
VII.
blackjack GOES INTO TRAIN.

OiihSo Lie W the uSlleSt story
my enemies have concocted against
me. No one appreciates more thor.
oughly than | that, to rise high, a man
must have his own efforts seconded
by the flood of vituperatiol that his
enemies send to overwnelm him and
which washes him far higher than he
could hope to lift himself. So | do not
mere refer to any attack on me in the
public prints; think of them only
with amusement and gratitude. The
story that rankles is the one these
Toes OF mine set creeping, like snake
under the fallen leaves, everywhere,
anywhere, unseen, without a trail. 1t
mas been whispered into every ear
and it is, no doubt, widely believed
that deliberately put old Bromwell
Ellersly in hole" and there tor.
tured him until he consented to try TO
compel his daughter to marry me.
1t is possible that, If | had thought
OF such devilish device, might have
tried it's not all fair in love? But
there was no need for my cudgeling
my brains to carry that particular for.
utication on my way to what had
liked my will upon. Bromwell Eller.
sly came to me of his own accord
l suppose the Ellerslys must have
talked me over in the family circle.
However this may be, my acuuaint.
ance with her father began with
Sans asking me to lunch with him
The governor has heard me talk of
you so much" said he, that he is
anxious to meet you"
offered to help him, and | did HELM
MIN. Is there any one, knowing any.
thing OF the facts of life, who will cen.
sure me when l admit that with
dellberatiOn-simply tided him over.
did not make for him and present to
him a fortune? What chance should
have had, if had been so absurdly
generous to a man who deserved moth
Ing but punishment for his selfish and
bigoted mode of life? | took awav
his worst burdens; but | left him
more than he could carry without nv
help. And it was not until he had
appealed in vain to all his social
friends to relieve him of the necessity
OF my aid, not until he realized that I
was his only hope of escaping a sharp
comedown from luxury to very modest
comfort in fiat somewhere-not until
then did his wife send me an invita-
ton to dinner. And had not so much
as limited that wanted it.
shall never forget the smallest
detail OF that dinner-it was a purely
family affair, only the Ellerslys and
|. can feel now the oppressive at
mosphere, the look as of impending
sacrllege upon the faces of the old
servants; | can see Mrs. Ellersly try-
Ing TO condescend to be gracious.
and treating me as if were some sort
OF museum freak or menagerie exhibit
can see Anita She was like a statue
OF snow; she spoke not word: If she
lifted her eyes, failed to note il. And
when was leaving-I with nv collar
wllted from the fierce, nervous strain
had been enduring-Mrs. Ellersly in
that voice of hers into which I don't
Delleve any shade Of real human
emotion ever penetrated, said: you
must come to see us. Mr.. Blackjack.
we are always at home after five"
looked at Miss Ellersly. She was
white to the lips now, and the span.
giles on her white dress seemed hits
OF ice glittering there. She said moth.
ing; but | knew she felt my look, and
tnat 1t froze the ice the more closely
In around her heart. Thank you" l
muttered.
stumbled in the hall; | almost fell
down the broad steps. I stopped at
the first bar and took three drinks in
quick succession. I went on down
the avenue, breathing like an exhaust.
ed swimmer. 'T'll give her up!" I
cried aloud, so upset was I.
l am man of impulse; but I have
trained myself not to be a creature of
impulse. at least not in matters of i'm.
portanee. Without that patient and
painful schooling, shouldn't have got
where now am; probably Id still be-
backing boots. or sheet-writing for
some bookmaker. or clerking Il for
some broker. Before got my rooms.
the night air and my habit Of the
sober second thought" had cooled me
back to nationality.
i want her, l need her." | was say.
Ing to myself. 81 am worthier of her
imam are those mincing manikins she
mas been bred to regard as men. She
ls Tor me-she belongs to me. I'll
abandon her to no Sinking puppet
who'd wear her as a donkey would a
diamond. Why should 1 do myself
and her an injury simply because she
has been too badly brousht up to
know her own INTEREST,""
When this was clear to me | sent
Tor my trainer He was one Of those
spare. wiry Englishmen, with skin like
tanned and PAINTED hide-brown e1.