The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1908-11-18

mis- flesh as cold as ice. Then he
tested the cords. The ak dropped
heavily to the block below.
The odor of geranium leaves assailed
his nostrils. With an ugly impulse he
turned and swept the pots from the
window box, scattering them over the
| floor.
He lifted the broadax to its place
tenderly, almost lovingly. by my
soul. it's beautiful piece of work.
It's as sure as the grave ITSELF"
Again he stood Off and looked Mt the
Internal bit Of his own handiwork,
his eyes gllstening with dread Of the
thing. He turned and fed to the OPP
poslte side of the room. keeping his
back toward the silent guillotine which
seemed to be calling to him. He glanced
slyly. fearfully. over his shoulder and
then faced the thing deliberately, his
jaws set. his eyes staring.
"It is quick way-a sure way" he
muttered. II haven't anything to live
for and but few years at most. No
body cares whether I live or die-not
even I. James Bansemer could not bat
ter me down. as he surely will. IL r.
He crossed to an old chest and I'M
locked Its lid with feverish haste. A
bundle of papers came up in the grasp
of his tense fingers. Casting dreadful
glances at the insistent AK. he seated
himself at the table and began looking
over the papers.
"He won't take his fathers rotten
money. but he'll take mine. It's honest.
1t represents wages honestly, bitterly
earned. There's more than $4,000 to
give him. He'll be surprised. Twenty
thousandW He laid the first paper, his
will drawn in favor Of Graydon Ban
semer signed and addressed. upon the
table and then carelessly tossed the
other documents into the chest. by
the Lord Harry. I'll have the best Of
James Bansemer yet. His boy will
take my money even though he spurns
his. God! wish l could see him
when he knows all this. 1t would be
glorious!'
He fingered the document for tense
moment and then arose to remove his
coat and vest These he hung away in
his closet with all his customary care
fulness. In the middle of the room he
stopped. his Quivering face turned to-
ward the gaunt thing Of execution. His
feet seemed nailed to the floor. His
brain was urging him to go on with the
horrid deed; his body was rebelling.
Suddenly he found his strength of
limb. With a cultural howl he clasped
his hands to his eyes and fled blindly
into his bedroom. Hurting his long,
shivering frame upon the bed, he tried
to shut out the enticing cal! Of the
thing of death. How long he quivered
there, shuddering and struggling. he
could not have told. In the end-and as
suddenly as he had fled-he leaped up
and with u shrill laugh dashed back
into the other room.
There was no hesitation in his body
now. With maniacal glee he rushed
upon the deviish contrivance in the
corner. tearing the AK from its place
with ruthless hands. Throughout the
building rang the sounds Of smashing
wood, furious blows of steel upon
wood, and high above the din arose
the laugh Of Elias broom. In two min
utes the guillotine lay In chips and
splinters about the room.
Dropping back against the wall. wet
with perspiration. triumphant grin
upon his face. Elias surveyed the
wreckage. His muscles relaxed and
his eyes lost the dread that had filed
them. The smile actually grew into
an expression of sweetness and peace
that his face had never known before
AS he staggered to a chair great
sigh Of relief broke from his lips.
There" he gasped. It's over; it's
over! My head is on my shoulders
1t really is after all! 1t Is not rolling
into the corner-no, no! BY my head
my own head. too-it was a close call
for you, Elias broom. Now III take
what comes. III wait for james Ban
semer! I'll stick it out to the end. If
he comes. he'll find me here I've
conquered the internal death that
stood waiting so long for me in that
corner. and | never suspected 1t either
How near 1t was to me! 1t stood there
and waited for me to come. 1t knew
that i would come sooner or later.
But I've smashed it. It's gone. It's
not there!'
With eager hands he gathered up
the pieces of wood and cast them into
the stove, AS the remains of that
frightful minister of death cracked
and spit with defeated venom Elias
broom calmly pulled on his worn dress
ing gown, lighted his pipe and cooked
his feet upon the stove rail, a serene
look in his eyes. chuckle In his
throat
1,T6ENE 80