The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-01-03


auaIltity Mason consumed, but they
passAd no comment. He tried 70
smoke and sat so that the light should
not Fall on his face. And then he said
M than
"3'eIl me all you know about Philip
An&on. 1t interests me"
Bhapl The hard composition of his
pipe was broken in two.
"IWhat a PITY" cried Willie. shall
run and buy you new one?"
'tNo, my boy. no. can manage.
Don't mind me can't talk. but will
listen May the Lord have mercy on
ma, Will listenT'
He suffered that night as few men
have suffered Many murderer has
had to endure the torments Of haunt
cd conscience. but few can have been
narrowed by hearing their own sons
lhudina to the skv the Victims hene-
factions 70 Themselves and 70 their
dead mother
i He was master Of his emotions suffi-
}ciently to control his voice. He pune
Ituated their recital by occasional com
ments that showed be appreciated es-
cry point He examined with interest
specimens of their work, for they uu-
dersfood both the stitching and the
stamping of leather, and once he found
himself duly specializing as 20 what
career he would have carved out for
himself were he given in boyhood the
opportunities they rej0iced In
But throughout there was In his sur
charged brain a current of cunning
purpose. First, there was Greiner. :
away in the north. robbing a dead man
and plotting desolation to some girl
He must be dealt with
Then he, the slayer, must be slain
ard by his own hand. He would spare
his sons as much pain as might he
within his power.
He would not merely disappear, ieay
Ing them dubious and distressed No.
They must know he was dead, not by
suicide but by accident. They would
mourn his wretched memory Better
that than ike with the abiding grief
Of the knowledge that he was Philip
Anson's murderer
He was quite sure now that the dead
would arise and call for vengeance If !
he dared to continue TO exist Ac
hat was tia life for life PRAY ei
that his deeds might not bear fruit Ii |
MS children and then. death, speedy |
certain death
Some reference to the future made |
~ Willie, the younger. who favored
lis mother more than the outspoken
John, gave Mason an opportunity 10
,ave the way for the coming separa
ion.
Il don't want you two lads to make
ny great changes ON my account. he
aid slowly 1T is far from my in
sntion to settle down here and let
II your friends become aware that
on are supporting ticket Of leave
ather. Yes, know. You are good
oys, and II won't be any more pleas
MT for me to to live away from you
han 1t would be for you under other
be separated from me (
'ut--I am in earnest In this matter II
will stop here tonight just TO fee /
lat am under the same roof as you
u your roof, not mine. Long ago
lost the right TO provide you with I
aelter. Tomorrow 90 away. have
,ms work TO do--a lot Of work. II
'ust be attended 70 VI once Of
.urse sou VIII sss ma often. We can 4
eet In fhe eysnins~po out together 1
II Ike here eith yea - can't ss,S%als
His sons never knew the effort rlat Hi
lie speech cost him. He spoke wirh a
lch manifest hesitation that Willie. \
no quickly Interpreted the less pro
,unced sigma OF a mans thoughts, a
TAXED . warning at his brother. '
lie said, with an. optic signal. q
mot word now, John. Just leave
ings az they are" b
Under any ordinary conditions he I,
DuId be right. He could never guess d
> nature OF ths claims that enclrcled a
. father. delivering him fsttered to /
. torture, bound hand and foot, body b
Il soul. II
At last they all retired to their u
Oms, the boys to whisper kindly
ans for keeping their father a prir b
Or again In fheIr handa. Mason 10 lie ..
m eyed. dry eyed, through the night v
lannlng for that which might not be- ri
NJ Fisnas sen disnellad ira dart 4